Changing jobs is always a popular New Year resolution, and a recent survey suggests that as many as 21 million Americans may be planning to switch jobs in 2012. For many, that could involve a career change, too. If you want to switch but still need help planning it, read on.
Thinking of somewhere better?
“Before changing careers completely it is my opinion that you should first try something else in your field,” said Tori Jacobs, a jobs expert on JustAnswer. “You have already invested in education and experience. The exception to my suggestion would be if you are completely unhappy.”
She offered these additional tips for changing jobs:
Do not make any rash decisions. Plan out the steps carefully of getting from point A to point B. For instance, if the new job involves a pay cut you will need to cut back on some expenses right now, and start living on what you anticipate your new salary to be. This will allow you to fully see if you will be able to comfortably earn less money.
It is not always bad to take a step backward to get where you want, but you may have become accustomed to a certain standard of living. Sometimes it’s not an entirely new career you seek, but rather a change of pace at a new job or new title that will make all the difference in the world. Also the actual company that you work for has a lot do with your overall satisfaction.
You may want to consider furthering your education. With more education and more experience will come more money. Another benefit to furthering your education is that schools are a great resource for career advice and job opportunities. Maybe you will even find you prefer to teach and mentor others in your field.
Speak to people currently doing the jobs you want. Learn about how they got there, as you might discover some useful ideas from the steps they’ve taken.
Do you have a question about your job or career advancement? Get at one-on-one consultation right now with a verified expert on JustAnswer.
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What’s riskier than leaving what you know to pursue the unknown? Changing careers means leaving behind a piece of your identity – your “I’m a lawyer” response to the “what-do-you-do?” question. It might mean admitting to yourself that you made a mistake with an initial career choice. That's why it is advisable to look for a <a rel="dofollow" href="http://insideoutcoach.com.au/career-counselling-coaching/" target="_blank">Career Coaching & Counselling services on your area.