Opening Up a New World by Switching Your Career

Making a drastic switch in careers can be difficult, and it is not something that everyone is equipped to do, from both career and psychological standpoints, because it requires change. Admittedly, the process is more common today because of mergers and acquisitions, and because we live in a complex and changing society. This has resulted in professionals in a variety of fields being forced into the ranks of the unemployed and having to look for new careers to survive.

The secret to a successful career change is to know what you want to do, the kind of a company you want to work for, and whether the company’s needs and culture match your skills and personality.

How Long Will It Take?



Changing careers usually takes four to six months, and' sometimes longer. You may be a lucky exception to the rule, but it is wise to plan for the long term. If you find and embark on a new career early on, so much the better.

Start by putting your ideas and goals on paper. Look at your career change as a long-term business plan that will require periodic updates, reevaluation, and changes. Pursue your campaign as if you were running a business, because you are. Your new career will impact on both your business and personal life, so it's important to make the right choice.

To help you get started, here is the key rule that will put you on the road to a successful career change.

Be Certain You Really Want to Change Careers:

Before you make any career-change decisions be certain you really want to do it. If you are unhappy in your present job, it could be your attitude, your boss, the work you do, the fact that you feel unappreciated, or that you don't fit in with the corporate culture. Ask yourself if you are dissatisfied with your career or with your job. Sometimes it’s easier to look within a company. For example, can you find satisfaction in a similar job in your field? If so, it may be easier to search for one within your company before looking outside.

In short, if you are unhappy with your circumstances, look within yourself for specific reasons why, and make certain that it is your career you are dissatisfied with and not something else, before making a hasty decision you may later regret.

Some questions to consider when making your decision:

• Can you afford-or are you willing-to take a salary cut to start over? If so, will this have an adverse affect on your family or your lifestyle?
  
  
• What will you have to give up, and what will you gain by making a career change? Will it be worth the sacrifice you may have to make?
  
  
• Do you have the discipline, the patience, and the persistence required to take an entry-level job, if necessary, and begin working your way up the corporate ladder?
  

Neil Yeager, manager of adult career transitions at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, says it is becoming less difficult to switch careers and somewhat easier to move from one industry to another. He says, "People are not staying in their jobs as long, and many of them have been forced out of their positions because of mergers and acquisitions. Because of this, many of them end up pursuing work in new fields. This kind of economy fosters change."

The norms have changed, says Yeager. "It used to be 30 years and a watch with one company. Today it's three to five years and then moving on. The result: Companies are getting used to hiring people from other fields. A good example is in technical fields where people often move to different companies, thus increasing work force mobility."

One more avenue to consider is professional counseling.

Speaking with someone who can draw you out, make you articulate your goals, and play devil’s advocate, can be revealing and help you reach a decision.