Changing
Careers
Also: From
“Just A Job” To Your Dream Career, Changing
Jobs? Cover Your Assets!, 10
Mistakes to Avoid When Making a Career Change
Your life, you might decide that your current
career is leading nowhere, or you might just be tired of
doing the same old thing and feel that something better is
waiting to be explored. Whatever your reasons for making a
change in your career, it is important to take things into
consideration.
1. Pay Increase or Pay Cut: Will your career change lead
to a pay increase or a pay cut? It is important to consider
this option in order to plan for your budget. If you have
debts or any recurring payments such as a mortgage, car
payments, cell phone bills, etc., you would need to know
that you would still be able to afford these luxuries.
2. Location: Will you have to move in order to make the
career change? This is another question that you have to
take into consideration. Some people can move within their
companies to do different things, others might have to
physically move to a new company to make the change. Due to
an increase in gas prices, being located near your principal
place of business is important. If you are close to your
job, you can easily save on gas.
3. Finding the right career: Have you done your research
as to what career your want to change to? Do you know what
will make you happy? Finding the right career is important
to being happy and staying at a particular company. It is
important to find a job that you will enjoy; otherwise you
will just end up switching companies or switching careers
all over again. When asked the question "What's more
important, the job or the money?" how would you answer?
4. Skills: What skills do you have that can be useful to
your new career? Most soft skills such as communication and
interpersonal skills will always be useful to a company. Any
managerial skills and technical skills will definitely help
out as well. Being in the 21st century, technical skills can
definitely be useful in almost every type of career you may
decide to switch to.
5. Education, Training, and Certifications: Will your new
career lead to more education and training? How much time
and money will it take to get to where you want to be? Like
most jobs, you learn by doing. But with other jobs, you may
need to get more education, training, and certifications in
order to get you to where you want to be. With some careers,
you may be able to easily pick up on the daily activities,
other careers you may need to get some professional training
and/or certifications in order to get considered for the
position. Whatever the case may be, be sure to research what
is in demand for that particular career.
6. Using your contacts / Networking: The best possible
way to find your new career is to utilize your contacts. The
people that you know may be the very people that can put in
a good word for you or to give you advice as to what you
should do or what industry you should get into. Other ways
to broaden your network is to join different organizations
or associations. If possible and available, go through your
alumni association.
These are some helpful tips for you to consider before
switching careers. Always remember that the choices that you
make can either break or make you. Be bold and take risks.
If you are unhappy with where you're at, do something about.
Otherwise you may end up asking yourself "what if...?" This
way you'll know that at least you tried.
Also: From
“Just A Job” To Your Dream Career, Changing
Jobs? Cover Your Assets!, 10
Mistakes to Avoid When Making a Career Change
