5 Ways to Successfully Navigate an Episodic Career

Summary: It is now common for people to not only change jobs, but change career paths as well later in their career. Learn how to do this successfully in this article.
 

For much of the 20th century, people would work for the same company for the majority of or all of their careers. You’d climb the ladder, working your way up in a certain field. Nowadays, however, it’s much more common for people to not only move around companies throughout their lives, but to change career paths entirely. While this nonlinear path can be more receptive to a person’s evolving interests, skills, and life situation, as well as the job market, it can also cause financial instability and be difficult to navigate. If you find yourself drawn to an episodic career, here are a few tips to help you be more successful:

 

1. Market your soft skills.

 
While you may have gone to school to be a journalist, your most recent position involved using social media as well to promote the company’s articles. Use those marketing and social media soft skills to help you move into another position. Certain skills are applicable across many fields, such as writing, managing and public speaking.
 

2. Be clear on who you are.

 
When looking for freelance work or a new job, be able to tell someone exactly what it is that you do. Create an elevator speech that will clearly define what you do and be intriguing enough to keep someone’s interest. Be confident in what you have to offer.
 

3. Keep your assets liquid.

 
The job market is constantly changing. Being laid off is a common occurrence. Be sure to have a solid savings account to keep you prepared for unexpected change. Don’t tie up all of your assets in case you need to dip into your savings for simple expenses like rent and groceries.
 

4. Focus on lifelong learning.

 
Keeping your knowledge and skills up to date is vital when it comes to having an episodic career. Consider going to conferences, taking trainings, and even going back to school for a class or two in areas that you find interesting and might want to move towards.
 

5. Plan for the future.

 
Moving companies and careers can make it difficult to focus on and plan for your retirement, but just because your benefits are changing throughout your life doesn’t mean you should put planning for the future on the back burner. Even if you’re working in freelance, you can still create a 401(k) and invest in life insurance and health insurance. It’s easy to say you’ll do it later, but now is the time to start planning.