How to Prepare for a Career Change: Step-by-Step Guide
Start moving toward your dream career with clarity by defining your goals and building your action plan.
February 2, 2022
Article
No matter where you are on your career journey, we have resources to support you. Explore guides to everything from setting career goals to job searching to acing your next interview.
Top courses for career development
Kennesaw State University
Skills you'll gain: Leadership and Management, Communication, Planning, Writing
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
University of California, Irvine
Skills you'll gain: Leadership and Management, Professional Development, Strategy and Operations, Business Communication, Adaptability, Business Analysis, Communication, Decision Making, Project Management, People Management, Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Customer Relationship Management, Strategy, Planning, Business Development, Problem Solving, Accounting, Change Management, Conflict Management, Financial Accounting, Leadership Development, Organizational Development, Entrepreneurship, People Development, Business Research, Cost Accounting, Deep Learning, Finance, Financial Management, General Accounting, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Negotiation, Business Psychology, Employee Relations, Financial Analysis, Writing, Customer Success, Customer Support, Entrepreneurial Finance, Marketing, User Experience, Estimation
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Goodwill Industries International
Skills you'll gain: Leadership and Management, Critical Thinking, Customer Relationship Management, Customer Success, Human Learning, People Management, Problem Solving, Professional Development, Communication, Recruitment
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Whether you're looking for your first job, preparing for a career change, or looking to advance in your industry, the right career advice can go a long way in empowering you to achieve your goals. That's why we've collected our best resources on topics like:
Resumes and cover letters
Choosing the right career involves a thoughtful exploration of your interests, skills, values, and aspirations. Start by identifying your passions and strengths, considering what activities bring you joy and fulfillment. Research various industries and professions to understand their demands and alignment with your preferences. Seek advice from mentors, professionals, or career counselors to gain valuable insights.
Embrace the idea that career paths may evolve, and stay open to learning and adapting along the way. Ultimately, the right career is one that aligns with your values, utilizes your strengths, and provides a sense of purpose and satisfaction.
With the ability to make personal connections virtually, online courses have become a terrific way to learn the interpersonal “soft skills” and lessons in personal growth needed to meet your personal development needs. The flexibility of online learning is particularly well-suited to building personal development skills, since you can select individual courses you need instead of pursuing a full degree program. The ability to complete coursework on your schedule is also a huge advantage, - especially if you're working full time or raising a family.
Coursera hosts a number of popular courses and Specializations in personal development, taught by instructors at top universities. For example, you can take classes to help with creative writing, leadership, job interview skills, and more from universities like University of Illinois, and Yale. For a more in-depth education, Specializations in Dynamic Public Speaking from the University of Washington, Career Success from the University of California, Irvine, and Interview Skills and Resume Writing from the University of Maryland, College Park offer opportunities to pursue your personal development goals across a sequence of courses. Coursera offers some of these career development courses for free.