Career change is a tricky endeavor. And today’s job market doesn’t make it any easier. Whether you’re downshifting, ladder climbing, or looking to make a lateral leap, you’ll have your work cut out for you.
But don’t get discouraged! Job experts confirm it’s never too late to reinvent your career. Countless, professional success stories prove that hard work leads to big rewards in any industry. At the same time, there are important questions career changers need to ask themselves before venturing into foreign territory.
Firstly, you’ll want to make sure you really need a new career (and not just a new job.) What’s the difference? Read on to find out. Secondly, career changers need to be mindful of their personal agendas – that means assessing their off-duty needs today, and down the road. Finally, career changers need to do a little forecasting, in order to keep their strengths, goals and expectations aligned. The jobs you see people doing in movies, are not always as glamorous – or as available – in real life workplaces.
The Old Switcheroo: Career Change or Job Change?
A common misconception among would-be career changers is the idea that all jobs are equal. People assume that if they hate their current job, they’ll hate it conclusively, no matter where they’re employed. But there are plenty of situations where the source of dissatisfaction exists inside a specific company, or with a specific set of coworkers, and not within the field itself.
Do you really hate bookkeeping? Or do you hate being micromanaged by a boss who’s on a power trip? Have you truly lost your passion for teaching? Or are you working in a district that’s underfunded and overcrowded? Do you honestly believe you’re not cut out for sales? Or are you stuck at a company where everyone is half your age and constantly waiting for happy hour to begin?
Under the right circumstances, career change is a great option. Under the wrong circumstances, it can be a waste of your experience and your talent. Not to mention the fact that no job is 100% conflict free. At some point, we all have to endure difficult (or boring) projects. Sticking it out through the hard times can build coworker rapport, and help to renew your sense of purpose.
Bottom line: ask yourself if the pressures you’re feeling are the products of specific individuals or other company-specific policies. Schedule a meeting with your supervisor, to hash out issues like assignment overload or coworker tension. He or she may reassign work to another employee to lighten your load. You could also inquire about taking on more challenging projects - duties that could lead to a raise or a promotion. If you’re still unhappy, start sending your resume out for similar job positions, where the climate may be better.
“Free” Time: How Much Is Yours Worth?
For better or for worse, your personal life is always waiting for you at the end of a long workday. And for lots of folks, the transition is hardly seamless. Long commutes, childcare arrangements, over-time hours: the daily grind takes a toll on your patience level. Major life events are even harder to negotiate. Some jobs leave little breathing room for the adjustments that come with marriage, divorce, illness, or relocation.
If you’re thinking about a big career move, make sure you’ve considered all the ways a new occupation might affect your personal life. Will your commute be longer? Will your medical benefits improve or get worse? Will you lose vacation time? Will you take on more travel obligations? Will you feel compelled to burn the midnight oil, and catch up with colleagues who’ve been in the business a lot longer?
Of course, these questions are not unique to career changers. Every new job comes with a learning curve. And work is always going to involve some amount of after-hours inconvenience. But career changers need to anticipate their free time needs more than most - for today, and down the road. Professionals who plan to start families, for example, need to establish if and when they can manage time off for child birth/rearing. Certain careers are simply more conducive to a healthy work/life balance.
Networking is one great way to discover new and exciting career opportunities. It’s also a great way to survey the occupational terrain, without starting and quitting 10 different careers on your own. Get first hand reports from others who’ve experienced the working life you’re seeking.
Job Outlook: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow
Hairdressers can become sales executives. Sales executives can become firemen. Firemen can become chemical engineers, and so on and so forth. But first, each job seeker needs to investigate his or her strengths, goals and workplace expectations. Research helps to ensure you won’t end up disappointed – or downsized.
If you’re changing careers for financial reasons, you’ll want to make sure your new career sector is not just hiring, but thriving. Unfortunately, some jobs and industries are in decline. Before you kick off a career in VCR repair, ask yourself if your prospective field is really a sound one. If you have a specific company in mind, determine if that company is healthy and prospering. All career dreams are worthwhile. Some may need a little logistical redesign.
Besides viability, you’ll want to consider career requirements in relation to your own personality. Different job sectors come with different challenges and rewards. Your skills and your temperament may not be suited to all fields. Nurses and stock traders, for example, need to make major decisions under tight time constraints. Pilots and policemen risk their own wellbeing in the course of their daily work. And then there are subtler career characteristics – distinctions that may surprise career changers who don’t fully canvas their new jobs. If you’re a stranger to business, you may feel threatened by a competitive corporate culture. If you’re new to nonprofit work, you may feel stymied by the slow pace and bureaucratic delays.
To recap: your new career should be stable and suitable. Don’t settle for a role that isn’t both.
Elizabeth O'Neill is earning an MFA in Creative Writing. She is a contributing writer at eLearners.com and GradSchools.com.
14 comment(s)
Jesus Mario Valenzuela On Thursday, June 25 2009
I noticed that with the stimulus monies there was scholorship money for a new career change but in filling out the appliction I could not find anything on a schlorship to a truck driving school to become a truck driver and receive my CDL License and so my application could not be completed. Can you help me. I am very interested in this field and have not been able to do this due to lack of money due to unemployment.
Thank you I appreciate any informtion you can give me.
Cecile Craft On Tuesday, August 25 2009
God is leading me into a new life and I know I have many talents and a life time of experience. My passion is wellness and nutrition with Yoga as my hobbie. I have worked in health Care Marketing and volunteer management for most of my life and now I need to become more grounded and directed to a new path.
Musette Bennett On Monday, September 07 2009
I am a licensed vocational nurse with a current license in texas and pending license in alabama. I have been a nurse for 25 years and have had many obstacles preventing further education after divorcing and raising two children. The application limited my options of choosing a BA degree in nursing after checking 1year of college. This was the amount of schooling required for the lvn program I attended at St. Phillips in San Antonio, Tx. It seems my options are limited. I recently had Bell's Palsey with Right side paralysis of my face and now seeking employment after six months of healing.I have experience in skilled and longterm care facilities in management positions. Now seeking to further educate myself and having a BS in Nursing will provide unlimited options to choose in this field.
Benjamin A. Keykens On Tuesday, September 29 2009
i am having the same troubles as Mr.Valenzuela, and would also appreciate any helpful information that you may have
nomoney On Tuesday, September 29 2009
I've been looking for a career for over 30 years. Was going to be an art major, but decided art isn't practical in hard times. NOTHING seems right for me! Don't like indoors, don't like shallowness & competition. Have CTS and can't hold my hands up without numbness. Could help ppl without seeing physical trauma. Can't afford masters degree to counsel. Any ideas?
Theresa M. Haberlack On Thursday, October 15 2009
I am ready to start my career in the Health care administatin field and or Business management. I am three months away from degree and I am looking foward for working with a fast pasted, high energy, creative, and caring team... PLEASE,PLEASE, contact me at Cell#(509)551-2249. I would love to internship for you and help your company with my superior Customer Service skills. I also have a way with people because of my love for people and all that they can give us and we can give them.
Reggie Bryant On Monday, September 13 2010
I am interested in getting out of sales and transferring my skills into another career. I feel I have more to offer than just chasing a sales number month to month. I am in my mid 40's and would like a career that I can be happy with. During my sales career I have developed great skills that I can transfer into a new career. I just need help moving in the right direction.
ronald parker On Monday, March 14 2011
hello
apparently you seem to think my email address is incorrect. Well, I bed to differ. There is nothing wrong with my email address. I have used this one for 7-8 years
rr
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I found this article just when I needed it. Thank you. yYou helped me realize that I need to change my job. It's time.
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I can't decide: my old job is well payed, but unstable. When perspective job is new but maybe is stable.