Changing Careers

Knowing the Why, When, and How of Changing Careers

One must be absolutely certain when making the decision for changing careers. It can be a life changing event, both in your day to day activities and in the amount of income you make. Whether you feel under-appreciated, overworked or just plain bored, a career change will add that extra into your ordinary life. Changing careers can seem like a daunting task, but with the right advice and a positive attitude complimenting the certainty that this is the right step for you; the career change process can be easier than you thought possible.

If, after a few years or a few decades, you feel like your career needs a change, you are not alone. Studies show that the average job-seeker will change careers several times over the course of his or her lifetime.

Before you tell your boss you’re changing careers, first think about the type of change you are willing to try. When people undergo a career change they usually decide upon three types of changes:

Changing companies, but doing the same work somewhere else
Staying with the same company working in a different department
Changing companies along with the type of work you do

If you are looking for something completely different, like going from a dolphin trainer to a stock broker, the third option is clearly for you. This is what is actually a considered a career change. The first options are considered job changes.

Steps to Completely Change Careers

First, research what field you want to go into. Take some of your hobbies and put them to good use. If you love to go boating, become a tour guide in a harbor, or start your own fishing business. Like working with numbers? See if a career in finance tickles your fancy. Everyone has passions that they can turn into a money making job. However, turning hobbies into a job is not necessarily a career. Make sure you want to work at something you love. If you love sports, turning into a sports reporter might take away some of the joy you receive from it when you are critiquing every play and jotting down stats. In changing careers, make sure you are willing to go the distance.

Make sure you have all the educational necessities for your newly chosen direction in life. Most of the time changing careers will start you at the bottom rung, which usually represents a significant pay-cut. Make sure you have enough money saved to afford to take this cut. If you have a family, discuss the possibility with your significant other before breaking the news to your boss.

Is it too Late for a Career Change?

The answer, no matter if you are 25 or 45, is no. However, when changing careers later in life, say after age 40, there are some several additional factors that come into play that would otherwise not be an issue:

Age discrimination
Opportunity to further education
Financial resources
Encouragement to get started

Take all these into consideration when changing careers, especially in this economy. If a financial director with 15 years experience tried to change companies 10 years ago, chances are that his/her experience would be welcomed! However, in this day and age companies are looking to hire the most amount of talent for the least amount of money.

Wrong Reasons for a Career Change

Running away from a bad situation at work
You’re desperate
You don’t know what else to do
Changing careers based on someone else’s wants and needs

Right Reasons for a Career Change

Something you’ve always wanted to do
Outgrown what you have been doing
Were originally thrown into your current career simply because “it was available”
Recently lost a job

Take our advice and your career change should go off without a hitch. Changing careers is always difficult, and very daunting, but as long as you are prepared for the long haul you will be fine.

To learn more about changing career, check out our Workforce Resources page.