If you're ready to advance along your career path, or pivot completely and land a new job in a different area (for whatever your reason), here are 3 practical tips to consider.
Take a self-assessment
Before breaking into a new field, consider taking an inventory of your likes and dislikes with your current job. A self-assessment inventory may assist you in identifying your strengths, skills, areas for growth, interests, and even values, all of which can contribute to success.
A self-assessment inventory can also be a tool you use to help you decide which area you wish to pivot towards, and which to avoid.
There are several online self-assessment tools and even personality test that could possibly aid you, assisting you in the direction you may wish to go. Do your research and select which is best for you.
Find opportunities where you are
Breaking into a new field can sometimes be more complicated than advancing at your current job. For this reason, consider taking stock of what's going well and what's not in your current role. Take time and identify if staying in your current field or role will help you get to the next step in your career path.
You could also network and make connections with other employers to better figure out how to bridge the gap between where you are, and where you want to go. If your employer offers career workshops or development resources, then that may be a direct path to help you get started, make big moves, or achieve your goals.
Regardless of your decision, it can be worthwhile to develop a career "action" plan and set goals to work towards.
Take advantage of continuous learning
Because not all of your experiences may be transferable, check if your current job offers opportunities to further your education, or master and refine your skills. For example, find out if your employer offers opportunities to secure certifications, licensing, trainings, or continuous learning resources that could make you more marketable and better position you for your career path. If your employer doesn't offer many options for continuous learning, that's okay—you can pursue learning opportunities on your own during after-work hours.
To add, you could also consider volunteer and networking groups, or job shadowing programs (if your employer offers them), which could give you exposure, and even a greater sense of professional fulfillment.