When people think of starting a second career, they often associate it with entering retirement age. However, there are a variety of situations you can encounter during your working life that can spur a career change such as facing a layoff, feeling unfulfilled in your current role, or simply craving a change. While it may seem scary to leave a position where you likely feel comfortable, a second career can be a prime opportunity for you to try something different, discover a new passion, and learn additional skills along the way!

When exploring options for a second career, following a systematic approach can help ensure you find a position that aligns with your unique interests and existing skill set. These six tips can help you streamline your search and give you the confidence you need to take control of your career.

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Hiring and onboarding new employees is always a critical phase for managers as they develop their teams. A bad fit can cause frustration for everyone involved—the manager, the team, and the hire themselves. Quickly ensuring that your new employee aligns with company values and has an enthusiasm to learn the role can save you significant resources and stress in the long run.

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Confidence. Commitment. Passion. Integrity. All of these are characteristics of an admirable leader. But there is one trait that may overshadow them all: self-awareness. Self-aware leaders have the ability to monitor their own emotions and reactions. Leaders that are highly attuned to their behaviors (and how others perceive those behaviors) can make a positive impact in their organization by setting the tone for maturity, moderation, and civility that others will aim to replicate.

We promote self-awareness at Birkman—it's critical for everyone's personal development, not just leaders. However, self-awareness is difficult to practice, especially when under stress.

There are three elements to self-awareness:

• Knowing your own behavior—good and bad
• Leveraging your good behavior
• Curbing the bad behavior

It seems simple, but even those of us immersed in a company culture that emphasizes the importance of self-awareness can struggle. Ultimately, in those moments when you're frustrated in the workplace, it's hard to step back, take a deep breath, and assess how you can best handle a situation.

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