Tips For Changing Careers & Finding A Company That Fits Your Values

I know how frustrating and discouraging a job search can be, especially if you’re looking while still working 9 to 5.

Now that I’m on the other side, I thought I’d write out a few things that helped me in the hopes of paying it forward. You’ll see I’m a big fan of where I landed (and even though they didn’t ask me to be, I can’t help being a little biased). I hope you’ll be able to use these tips for whatever career you’re searching for!

How Do You Know When It’s Time To Make A Career Change?

I found myself asking this question a lot at my previous job.

I was working for an association of accounting firms doing administrative and project management work. Or at least that’s what my job description said. In reality, I did much, much more.

I loved what I did, but I still found myself dreading my mornings. I would get easily frustrated and overwhelmed at my ever-growing workload and I struggled to maintain a positive attitude at work.

In a nutshell, I felt unseen and underappreciated.

Although I was still able to get my job done, I knew my frustration and negativity wasn’t fair to the association’s clients, my co-workers, or to me. And beyond that, it was affecting my mental and physical health.

It was definitely time to make a change.

But each company I considered applying to left me worried. Would it be a step in the right direction or would it be just as bad (or worse!) than the situation I was trying to leave?

How And Why You Should Find Work That Aligns With You

I realized if I was going to find a job I would be happy at, I needed to pinpoint the pain points I was currently experiencing.

Here’s what I came up with:

1. I needed a job that had a more flexible schedule. I am a hard and dedicated worker, but had been working at a place where if you showed up and left on time, you weren’t working hard enough. 8 hours a day was considered slacking. It made it hard to make time for my family, my well-being, and anything else that came up during the day that I needed to do.
2. I wanted a job with a better commute. While my office should only have been 30 minutes away, because my work hours were set and non-flexible, I found myself traveling during rush hour which doubled and tripled my commute. I would arrive at the office, and back at home, frustrated by dealing with traffic.
3. I wanted a job that allowed me to have a voice in the work that I did. That valued what I wanted to do and supported it.

It seemed like a tall order to fill, I know.

Finding Boldly

My job search had already involved several remote job platforms, but I still wasn’t finding anything that quite fit what I was looking for.

I was beginning to worry that I’d have to either:

1. Take a job that might have similar problems I was leaving, or
2. I would have to do freelance work – which is a whole other daunting kind of career change to figure out

Then the pandemic happened. I was working from home now, but instead of gaining more freedom, my company took it as an opportunity to give me even more work. I found myself putting in even more hours than before.

So when I saw Boldly was hiring, I began updating my resume and started to seriously look into applying.

I’d seen Boldly before. They’d caught my eye because they seemed exactly what I was looking for: a supportive and employee-focused place that allowed flexible schedules, totally remote, with good pay and benefits! Not to mention a place where I would be a W2 employee.

In fact, it almost seemed too good to be true — before committing, I really wanted to make sure this was a legit opportunity. I mean, there were quite a few steps to go through in the hiring process!

How Do You Find Legitimate WFH Jobs? How Do You Evaluate Company Culture?

• Do your research. I looked at Boldly A LOT. I read reviews from employees and customers, I followed up on awards won, I read blog posts and best places to work articles. I checked LinkedIn and social media. Boldly provides transparency on their website. Finding consistent accounts of the company helped me know that they delivered on what they claimed.
• Don’t rush it. Boldly has a high bar for the people it hires, and they have an extensive interview process. Some people may think that’s a red flag, but it means they aren’t just filling quotas. They are looking for qualified candidates who will be a good fit. Qualified candidates mean client trust and that means Boldly can offer their employees competitive rates and benefits that other staffing services don’t. The time it takes to interview with Boldly is well made up for in being an actual employee as opposed to a more transient 1099 contractor.

Legit companies, like Boldly, take their time to find the right fit. They are detail-oriented and specific about what they want.

• Don’t be hesitant to ask questions during the hiring process. The fact that everyone treated me with the same kindness, patience, and support that the company touted (even before I joined the team) proved Boldly could deliver on the culture they promoted.

What If You’re Nervous To Make A Move?

Do it, live Boldly (pun intended)!

Life is too short to live in fear and not take the opportunities you need to live more fully.

I pushed through my fear and doubt and am so glad I did. I have never felt so valued as an employee and team member as I do at Boldly. With the support of my team, I have been able to work with some amazing clients in some fascinating fields. And the nice thing is that Boldly sets me up with potential client matches based on my interests and skills, but I still get to choose who I support. And since I am not a freelancer, I don’t have to deal with pesky self-employment paperwork.

The flexibility and freedom that has come with this career change has led to a happier healthier me, a happier healthier family, and a happier healthier life.

Now I look forward to each morning a little more Boldly, and wherever you end up, I hope my experiences can help you do the same!