Things To Consider Before a Career Change

If you’re thinking about changing your career, you may be feeling excited about the possibilities and wondering where to start, or you may be feeling anxious about the risks involved. You’re not alone in your thoughts and feelings; there are millions of people who change careers each year. Here are some things to consider before changing your career. 

If you follow these tips as you look into new jobs, it will help you decide when to change course.

1. Know What Makes You Happy

Sometimes career changes are necessary – maybe you need a job that pays more or has better benefits. Other times, it’s all about your happiness. The most successful careers begin with individuals who know precisely what they want and pursue it passionately. Figuring out what makes you happy isn’t always easy, but if you can find a career that allows you to live according to your core values (and perhaps even opens up new possibilities for growth), things will work out well in time. If changing careers seems like something you have to do, go for it! But be aware of what might be getting in your way – your friends and family may not approve or understand your desire for change, making it harder than anticipated. 

It’s also important to recognize that some people aren’t meant for specific jobs. As much as you try to convince yourselves otherwise, certain careers just don’t fit you as individuals. 

In these cases, it may be best to accept the practical aspects and stick with what you know instead of fighting against them. No matter how much you hate your jobs sometimes, there is a reason why you took them in the first place – remembering why you chose your current path is key when considering whether or not it’s worth changing paths altogether.

2. Explore the Possibility of Switching Careers

Yes, changing careers can seem like a scary prospect, but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you decide to leave your current company or find a new job entirely, exploring a career change is only beneficial if you can come at it with an open mind and a willingness to learn. The decision ultimately rests in your hands. If you’re on board with moving forward with what could be an exciting new chapter of your life, here are some things for you to consider before making that transition. 

Do you want to make a career change? If so, why? Is there anything holding you back from doing so? What do you know about your target industry/company/role? How much will you need to invest in learning about your new industry? Will you need to take time off work (if applicable)? Do you have enough savings to cover any financial gaps until finding a new job (if applicable)? How long do you think it will take you to be entirely comfortable in your role? Will you still enjoy working after going through such an intense experience as switching careers?

3. Understand From Where You Can Get Help

Moving from one career path to another can be extremely daunting. But, if you’re serious about changing careers, or even just part of your job description, it’s essential to understand what types of resources and support are available for people going through that type of transition. The internet is littered with articles outlining everything from tax breaks for moving expenses (which may seem like a big deal at first but aren’t) to how you should go about looking for a new position. Researching these resources ahead of time can help you feel more prepared and confident when you start looking for a unique opportunity. If you know where to look, you’ll have an easier time finding information on things like:

The best way to find a new job: As much as you hate them, resumes are still one of the most common ways to grab the attention of recruiters. However, if you don’t have much experience in your field or industry (or any at all), resume writing might seem intimidating. You might not know what employers expect regarding formatting and layout – and that’s okay! There’s no need to reinvent the wheel here; search resume templates on Google Images and choose something visually appealing while keeping things simple enough. They’re easy for hiring managers to read quickly.

4. Check Out the Job Market Competition

Before you change careers, it’s essential to find out how much competition there is in your chosen job market. You might feel confident in your abilities, but if thousands of other professionals like you compete for a handful of jobs, it’s probably going tough making a career switch. Find out what opportunities exist before spending time and money on additional education or training. You can visit places like LinkedIn Jobs or Monster to get an idea of what’s available in your area. Alternatively, try attending networking events or seminars hosted by industry associations where professionals in your field will be happy to answer any questions you have about their work. 

Make sure to read as many job descriptions as possible to know exactly what skills and experience employers are looking for. In addition, don’t forget to talk with people who already work in your desired profession. They’ll give you insight into what a typical day at work looks like and whether they enjoy their jobs enough to recommend them to others. If they’re enthusiastic about their profession, the chances are good that it could be right for you too!

5. Get Mentorship and Appropriate Training

You must have a mentor while you’re working on your new career. If you’re changing careers, the required skills might be so different from what you have now and it will be challenging for people who haven’t already done it to offer any meaningful advice. Find someone who has done, what you want to do, before and ask them for help. You should expect them to dedicate some of their time to this.

They are probably part of an association or professional body that can help with training (e.g., Project Management Institute). Get involved with that organization as soon as possible. When you start in a new field, there is often a lot of pressure to get qualified quickly. Don’t fall into that trap: take your time, learn properly and make sure you’re doing things right. And don’t forget to enjoy yourself!