Steps in Making a Career Change

Leaving a job can be very stressful and complicated. Just think about the many years of service you have rendered to your organization, all the activities, routines and friends you will miss once you hand the resignation letter to your boss. But change is inevitable and certain circumstances leave us with no choice but to change careers and to start all over again. Worry no more because there are steps you can follow in making a successful career change.

1. Assess your current career situation – If you feel unhappy for a long time and you have so many concerns that are still not addressed, and feel that nothing is ever going to happen to your career then perhaps it is time to leave after being unappreciated and stressed out for a long time. These emotions are going to get you in the long run so free yourself from all the hassle and worries.

2. Assess your skills – when you think of a career change, always consider your knowledge and skills because these will help you make a successful change into another organization where you would become a valuable asset.  Changing your career without knowing what interests you and what you are capable of doing could be a disaster. You wouldn’t want to hop from one job to another all the time. Always emphasize your values and let your principles guide you before shifting careers.

3. Check for options - talk to your family and friends and ask for an advice about new career possibilities by letting them know your abilities, interests and your values in life. Talking to them about your plans could give you an insight about other possibilities as well as the advantages and disadvantages from making a career change.

4. Explore other careers – take time to compare and learn about other careers that could possibly work for you and research on it.Identify the skills needed before focusing on your options.

5. Research on your top option -  you need to interact with the people who have been on this career for decades just to give you an idea on how everything works and what you must do to start in that career. This one of the most important steps you need to do if you are aiming for a smooth career transition. You could also spend time with these people to become familiar on the tasks needed from you so you could determine if you will pursue the career or look for another one.

6. Develop new skills – take time to improve your skills to prepare you for this change. You could enroll in short courses or training programs sponsored by your company. Always look for ways to improve yourself to impress potential employers in the future.

Despite all the challenges, a career change could be the most rewarding thing you could ever experience. Consider it as an early Christmas present since you are looking for ways to improve as a person and to make yourself happy in the process.  These tips will help make the change as convenient as possible.