Changing careers

If you are thinking of switching to a new job or career, find out whether a career has growth potential, is stagnant or is dying a slow death. For example, according to “NC Today June 2015,” a report prepared by the North Carolina Department of Commerce, industries showing job growth in the state from May 2014 to May 2015 included professional and business services, leisure and hospitality services, trade, transportation and utilities, construction, and education and health services.

You can visit the N.C. Department of Commerce’s website, nccommerce.com, or the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics bureau’s website, BLS.gov, to access job growth projections for the next few years. There’s no use putting effort into landing a particular job this year if it is likely the position won’t exist two or three years down the line.

Of course, while no one can guarantee a “recession-proof” career, there are some that may survive an economic crisis better than others. Even when the economy suffers, people continue to require medical treatment. That and the large population of aging baby boomers, are just two reasons that healthcare is now a $3 trillion industry that continues to grow.

Assessing skillsets

Assess your skills as you consider career options. Typically, transferable skills are soft skills — those dealing with creativity, problem solving, people, communication and leadership, for example.

Hard skills are technical, and they’re a little harder to transfer from one career to another. But not impossible, by any means. For example, if you have been doing accounting, that skill would be helpful if you decide to run a business.

Make a list of both types of skillsets that apply to you, and also consider asking friends and family their opinions of what you are good at.

Franchise opportunities

One avenue to consider is franchise jobs or ownership. Franchise job growth is expected to climb at a faster pace than the rest of the economy for the fifth consecutive year, according to “The Franchise Business Economic Outlook: 2015,” by the International Franchise Association Educational Foundation and IHS Economics.

From law enforcement to healthcare entrepreneur

You don’t have to be an expert in your next chosen field. When Paul Trindel first joined the Greensboro, N.C., Police Department in 2000, his main reason was a desire to protect and serve, to give something back to the local community. He brought this same passion when he later became a successful franchisee — first with an ice cream specialty franchise, Cold Stone Creamery, and then with The Joint, a chiropractic clinic.

Trindel opened his first clinic in Greensboro in December 2012. While it wasn’t an instant success, the business has grown. Trindel, a regional developer for The Joint, has been able to use the people skills he acquired as a police officer in his new work. As of late June, he has opened 11 The Joint franchises in North Carolina and more are in development.

So, take stock of your skillsets and do your research. Many skills you take for granted could be valuable assets in your next line of work.