If you are considering a job change then I would like to extend my congratulations! This should be an exciting time in your life, but a stressful time as well. Even if you fell that you are 100% ready to jump in with both feet and make the change, you should take a deep breath and slow it down. Changing jobs is not as easy as it sounds and you should really take the time to prepare yourself for the things you have ahead of you. This is a huge responsibility that you must be ready for before you do it. It should not be taken lightly. Like the old saying goes, you should have all your ducks in a row before you forge ahead. This is the point of this article; to advise you on some important steps you need to take before you make such a huge and important life change. So read on and take this information to heart before you start filling out job applications!
1: Think it Over
This may seem like a given so let me explain. Many people who really love their jobs decide to make a career change simply because they have had a few bad weeks or months at work. Maybe their boss has been giving them a terrible time or maybe they are finding it difficult to keep up with new system operations. Either way, it is never a good idea to change jobs just because things are getting more challenging at your current job. This is where “think it over comes in”. You want to make sure that you are looking for a job change for all the right reasons. Some right reasons may include:
- You are bored with your career path
- You feel that you have a different calling that will make your life more fulfilling
- You have worked at the same job for a long time and never felt that it was a good match for you
- You want to be in a field where there is more opportunity for growth, both personal and financial
There are other good reasons but these are the most common. If you honestly feel that changing your career will make your life better than go for it and follow the next steps. If not, stop right here and see what you can do to enhance the career you now have to make it into something you can be pleased with.
2: Be Willing and Ready to Make Sacrifices
Even though it may seem like a simple thing, a job change is not something that can or will happen overnight. You have to be willing and ready to do all the legwork it takes to make it happen. You also may have to take a cut in pay to start off in a lower position at a new job because all of your main experience lies in your old career. This is called paying your dues. Just because you made $50,000 per year working as a sales manager does not mean you will make the same amount as a social worker for example. Starting at the bottom is all a part of beginning anew. Before you leap you have to consider if this is something that you can make work for you until you climb the ladder in your new career. Once again, if the answer is a resounding no then you should stop here and wait until it is a feasible option for you.
3: How Will Your Choice Affect Others?
If you have a family you will have to consider how your job change will affect their lives. You have the right to live your dream and be happy in your work, but if you have a family than what they need and feel take priority over what you need and feel.
4: Do a Full Investigation
Before you go and quit your current job, know all the ins and outs of the career you wish to peruse. This is not something you can go into blindly just because it looks or sounds like a fun job to have. So, research your desired job so you know the money that is involved, the job outlook and the job duties. You also want to know what your chances are of breaking into the field at this point in your life so you do not find yourself unemployed with no options to be had.
5: Create a Career Plan
Any successful job change will involve a detailed career plan. The biggest part of any career plan is goals. You must set goals for yourself (realistic ones of course) so that you have a good idea of where you will be in one year, five years, ten years, and so on. If possible, you should see if you can find part time work or a part time internship in the career you want to change to. This will help you make a good plan and ensure that you are making a good choice for the change. Do not do anything without really knowing what you are getting yourself into.
In the end, if you still want to make this change, go for it. Just make sure that you know that you will still be able to live up to your responsibilities and that you are aware of the risks involved in any type of job change. Good luck and I hope you find just what you are looking for in life!
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