Times are tough. Unemployment numbers… up and down… up and down. More peaks and valleys than an EKG graph. So what do you do? Do you leave your present place of unemployment and look for greener pastures whilst America is caught in a volatile job market? Or is there a more prudent way to enhance your future without changing careers?
Well, if you are a working pro, nobody has to tell you that changing careers in midstream has many challenges. Some career coaches say that if you’re planning to make a career change you should do it while you’re young. Maybe they are correct.
The nitty-gritty is that you are the only one to really know what you are passionate about and if this is the right course for you be on. On the flipside, when thinking of changing careers you also have to take into consideration whether you are single, married with children etc… What’s right for you in your 20’s — might not be right for you in your 30’s or 40’s or even 50’s.
Thankfully, preparation, research and doing your due diligence will allow you to make a smooth transition if you think changing career is what’s needed. However, a better idea might be to stay where you are and improve upon present status. Doing so will allow you to take the necessary steps to help Reboot Your Career –without the hassles of making of entering a new industry.
Either way, before making a complete 180-degree career change — investigate the five tips below before making the new leap of faith and evaluate your current job status.
1) How satisfied you are with it before thinking of changing careers.
Before making any hasty decisions about exiting your current profession (and company) make sure to really look at your options. Make an evaluation of day-to-day performance, reactions and feelings. This will help you determine if changing careers is really, what is called for.
2. Make a true assessment of your skills, talents and interests.
Assess whether your skills and more importantly your interests are in fact in line with your current career. If they are compatible, then changing careers would definitely be an option to look into.
3. Considering what choices you have as a working professional in terms of a career change from it
Unfortunately, deciding leave for another profession is only half the battle. That’s because you still need to determine where you are headed. Without a strong guide, changing careers is like piloting a plane without a flight plan. Without one, you are headed into a strong wind that can hinder your progress and do you more damage than good!.
Look at this way; when you go on vacation, don’t you have an itinerary that tells you what you’ll be doing, what sites you will be visiting? Well, it is the same with your career. Your best bet is to brainstorm options and then narrow it down from there. Examples of worthwhile activities include talking to people in your industry — or outside your industry. This step is vital to pinpointing where exactly it is you want to go with your career change… and how to get there.
4 Making a preliminary assessment
Once you have a good picture towards the career changes you want, simply make a preliminary assessment. This helps you to evaluate whether or not doing so is in the best interests of finances and workload.
5. Determine whether this industry or career path is really for you.
Again, do more research or even shadow an industry professional who is actively doing what you want to do. Luckily, if you know someone in that field, you can ask for their assistance on determining whether you can get away with effectively changing careers and entering this particular field of interest.  If this article helped you out in anyway, it’s to show you NOT to rush into anything. Do your homework, check out where you are now and see if you create the new career you want at your present job or a completely new enterprise.
Make sure to always consider the consequences of every step you might take when you’re changing careers. Yes, it can be difficult to pull off but remember this: Success occurs when opportunity meets preparedness!