Successful Career Change Strategies

Are you ready for a career change? Does the thought of doing nsomething entirely different fill you with excitement - or stop nyou dead in your tracks?

People contemplating a career change often do so with trepidation. They know it's time for a change... they're either burned out, bored, frustrated, or they've merely put in their time and are ready for something new. But as they consider launching a new career, questions and fears abound that hold them back and cause them to wonder if it's truly doable. The most widely asked question, "What do I do next?" is the biggest hurdle to overcome. But other concerns... How do I break in?... Will I have to start over?... Do I need retraining?... can make navigating a career change overwhelming and often frustrating.

If you're ready to embark on a career transition, the following nstrategies will help jumpstart the exciting process of nidentifying a career that's right for you. nn- Know Thyself. Potential career changers must first know who nthey are - their skills, values, passions, motivations, and nlifestyle preferences. Having a fulfilling career, instead of nmerely running away from an unsatisfying one, means knowing nwhere you are going, not just what you are leaving. Start bynkeeping a journal or taking some career/interest assessments nto help you hone in on who you are, what you're passionate nabout and what's most important to you in your career and your nlife. nn- Brainstorm Possibilities. People often get stuck thinking they nhave to come up with the "right" one career that will last them a nlifetime. And the anxiety of finding that one perfect career nkeeps them from exploring possibilities that would have been nwonderful for them. Stretch your perception of what might work for you. Explore career fields that are new to you and commit to nkeeping your options open.nn- Research. Once you've identified three or four possible career noptions, research them to find out how to enter those fields and nwhat it takes to be successful. This is an important step... nnothing is worse than leaping before you look or escaping to a nfield that fits you just as poorly as your last. Get in-depth ninformation about career choices you're considering by networking, reading, and doing online research. Meet with people who are currently doing the job and ask them to describe "a day in the life" so you get a true sense of what that field is all about.nn- Experiment. People who have successfully changed careers began nby experimenting - trying out new opportunities part-time, ndoing weekend projects, volunteering, taking night classes, orngoing back to school. They found a way to "stick their toe in nthe water." When you experiment, you actually begin to experience nyour possible future and what it might look and feel like. You ncan then make adjustments in your course as you gain more nexperience and your direction becomes clearer. nn- Be Patient. Career transition rarely happens overnight and nseldom follows a straight line. No two transitions are the same, nand a complete career change usually takes a minimum of six months to a year, often up to two years. A successful career change is often a case of three steps forward and two steps back, and if you wait until your plan is perfect, you increase the chance that nothing will happen. So begin your search with who you are and where your passions lie. Continue by experimenting and trying things out. Then set your goals, take action, build your momentum, and never give up. nnn nn