Unexpected events or shocks throw us off our routines, force us to step out of our comfort zones, and force us to confront difficult questions about what matters and what is worthwhile doing. It's no shock, then, that many people in UAE are reevaluating their professional choices during this current pandemic.
Is now, however, the best time to make this decision? Even for those of us who are fortunate enough not to be sick, caring for others who are suffering, or struggling to make ends meet, the pandemic has increased uncertainty and caught us off guard — psychologically, financially, and in terms of infrastructure. The situation appears to be dangerous.
Furthermore, as psychologists have demonstrated, threatening situations cause us to behave more conservatively, which is the polar opposite of what is required when contemplating a career change. If you're fearful of taking risks or concerned about your future, committing fully to a career transformation can be tricky.
So, how do we strike a balance between the urgent need to ensure basic survival — of our families and businesses — and what may well be a growing desire to do something different once the crisis has passed? What are some suggestions? In this article, we'll walk you through the process of making a career change during this challenging period.
Keep an open mind to a variety of possibilities
Because we never know what the future will bring, or because the path we thought we were on takes an unexpected twist, it makes sense to go for a diverse portfolio of options rather than sticking to a single course entirely. Even in the best of circumstances, changing careers is never smooth and straightforward. It's an unavoidably messy journey of discovery — and to do it properly, you must experiment with, test, and learn about a variety of possible selves along the way.
Imaginary selves are the fantasies we all have about who we might want to become in the future. Certain concepts are concrete and well-informed by experience; other ideas are vague and fuzzy, new and untested. Some are grounded in reality, while others are pure fantasy. And, of course, some of them are more appealing to us than others.
Being in a state of mental and emotional stability
Living through a pandemic can harm your emotional well-being and well-being. We have never experienced anything like this before, and you may have an additional set of feelings, emotions, and thoughts that you will want to address.
Be completely honest with yourself about how you are dealing with the situation. Because of your current situation rather than because you genuinely want to make a significant change in your career, you may be feeling down, unproductive, unmotivated, or stagnant.
Prepare yourself for two significant changes in your life
Living through a pandemic and making a career change are important events in one's life. So, even if you want to make a change in your professional life for all of the right reasons, are you confident that you will be able to do so while also dealing with the additional stressors that COVID-19 has brought with it?
You may feel the effects of the pandemic if you decide to change your career now, at least initially, and this will complicate the transition. When there is little hiring and competition for job openings is fierce, it may be hard to find a company willing to take a chance on a career changer, for example.
As a result, it may be more difficult to establish connections and relationships. Consider whether you believe that starting a new career at this time would be too difficult or stressful and whether you think that now is not the best time to do so. Otherwise, things may work out in your favor, and you will be back to your routine in no time at all.