For many, life after divorce is filled with uncertainty. You’re nervous about taking the next step because, for the first time in a long time, you’re taking that step on your own. With the right mindset shift and attitude, your divorce could signal the opportunity to start living for yourself.
If you’ve always had the itch that you were meant to do more, post-divorce life could be the chance for you to pursue a new career. Regardless of where you are or what you’re doing now, there’s always room (and time) for advancement.
That being said, your path to a new career might not be clear. If you’re serious about making a change, you must approach your next career move with a creative and open mind.
Even if you don’t have the experience, you can (with the right advice, of course) start a career in a new field. From valuable skills that will make your resume irresistible to what you can’t afford to overlook when you’re considering a new position, here’s what to know before pursuing a new career post-divorce.
How to Start a New Career in a New Field (Without Experience)
In the wake of a divorce, you should take time to think about what you want this next chapter of your life to look like. Perhaps you’ve come to the conclusion that you’re tired of whatever job you’re currently working. Maybe you’ve realized that with your newfound freedom you want to pursue a passion.
You’ve had enough of living for someone else, it’s time to find a career that calls to you. Muster up your courage and apply to jobs that interest you, regardless of experience. Establishing yourself in a new field will likely take more time, but the only way to guarantee you won’t get hired is to never submit your application at all.
When you’re looking to start a career in a new field but are lacking experience, it’s important to have a strategic approach for doing so. Above all, you should focus your resume, cover letter, and interview talking points on what it is you do have to offer your employer, which is likely more than you think.
This is where you may need to get creative. As you’re preparing to pursue a new career, compile a list of any previous experience and make it relevant to the position you’re going after. Your experience doesn’t need to be professional. Even experience from an unrelated position such as volunteering can help demonstrate to a potential employer what you’re capable of doing.
While you should certainly be honest on your resume and throughout the interview process, avoid dwelling on your weakness. If you doubt your ability to do a job so will a potential employer.
Instead, double down on your passion and enthusiasm. In your cover letter, go ahead and explain why you are entering a new field. Revealing that this new career is something you’ve always wanted for yourself shows a potential employer that, despite not having experience, you have skin in the game and a strong desire to do good work.
The Most Valuable Skills You Can Learn
Undoubtedly, passion and enthusiasm can take you a long way. But if you’re looking for something a little more tangible to bolster your resume, consider learning one of these highly marketable skills.
Nearly every business and organization across all industries has put digital marketing at the center of their marketing efforts. If you’re looking for a way to get your foot in the door, picking up digital marketing skills could be the answer.
At a glance, some of the most in-demand digital marketing skills are content marketing, video production, SEO, web design, and data analytics. You can get started learning some of these skills, such as how to use Google Analytics, with free YouTube tutorials.
For a deeper educational dive and something you could point to on your resume, look for certifications, internships, and volunteer experiences pertaining to the digital marketing skill you’re developing. Continuing your education after divorce is a great way to learn new skills that will advance your career.
What to Look for in Your New Job
With in-demand skills like digital marketing, you’ll be well on your way to securing a new career for your post-divorce life. However, before you accept a position and start celebrating, there are a few things you need to consider.
In an ideal world, you could pursue your passion without worrying about a paycheck or job security. But, now that you’re divorced, there isn’t anyone to share the burden of financial challenges with should they arise. When you’re looking for a new job, you have to think about your financial safety.
A good place to start is tallying your fixed expenses such as car insurance, utilities, and any spousal support you’re required to pay. You should also factor in that you will likely be paying higher federal income taxes when filing as a single person as well as any additional saving you need to do now that you’re preparing for retirement on your own.
In addition to your financial safety, look for a job that doesn’t put your physical safety in jeopardy. Unfortunately, there is a darker side to some gig economy jobs like driving for a rideshare service. Driving in bad weather is just one of the potentially dangerous situations you could find yourself in.
Knowing what you want and don’t want in a new career is essential for finding your way post-divorce. This along with developing in-demand skills and understanding how to present yourself to potential employers will make the transition into this next, exciting chapter of your life a smoother one.
Add A Comment