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Career Change by Choice – Making a conscious choice to change gears

While some people have the unfortunate (some would argue fortunate) experience of being forced to find another job, other people bravely decide to do it on their own. They do not wait for a lay off to tell them to take another path. They blaze a new path. While some people jump off without a plan and find their path a bit bumpy, there are strategies for making a conscious career change into a smooth path to a more fulfilling life and career.

Is it the job or the career that needs to change?

An important first step for people considering whether they need a whole new career or just a new job is to evaluate what it is that is causing them to want the change. Take time to consider whether it is the employer or your boss that is causing you problems or is it the actual work you do on a daily basis. It is helpful to make a list of the things you like doing and those things you do not. Are these things dependent on the career itself or just the place you happen to work?

What if you are still not sure?

If assessing the job vs. the career itself does not help you fully decide if you need a change, perhaps a more extensive assessment of your interests is in order. Personality inventories like the Myers Briggs Type Indicator can help you determine what your interests and strengths are and suggest career fields that fit well with them. Assessments such as these help you see what you would be good at doing based on your interests and personality.

The Jefferson County Workforce Center offers a workshop where you can gain access to a powerful interest and skill assessment tool called Choices Career Planner which has interest inventories and skill assessments that help people determine what they might really want to be when they grow up. This is a great tool for all career changers whether they think they know what they like or have no idea. It offers a wealth of information on careers and career paths as well as related educational opportunities. Consult our schedule at http://www.jeffcoworkforce.org/seekWorkshops.php to find out when the next class is offered.

Career assessments are an important part of developing a plan for your career change. By evaluating your interests, skills, and work values, assessments such as these help career changers make informed decisions about which path their career change might take. Even people who are happy in their careers can benefit from taking these types of assessments as a benchmark for where they have been and where they would like to go next.

Do it for the right reasons

When making a major change such as a career change, it is important that you are not swayed by the wrong factors. Money and benefits may seem like good reasons to leave a current position for greener pastures. But, if those greener pastures result in more stress and strain, those extra benefits and dollars may be spent trying to deal with the consequences of added stress. The old adage “Money cannot buy happiness’ is one that deserves consideration when it comes to changing careers.

The influence of peers, family members, and close friends should not be your major impetus for change. If what you are doing brings lots of money and power but makes you completely unhappy, do not let those around you pressure you into staying. You must be clear on your reasons for changing and should not make changes based on the influence of others. At the end of the day, you will have to live with the change you made so it better be one that was made based on your opinions and needs.

“Make a new plan, Stan”

Paul Simon sang these words about leaving your lover, but the same is true when it comes to career change. In fact, it is eminently more important in the case of a career change. Jumping ship without a real plan or direction can leave you feeling uncertain and afraid as you seek to change careers.

Part of the planning comes from taking assessments and becoming very clear about what your new career path will be. Moving from administration to sales is a fine goal but if you can define what type of sales and what type of company, you will have a much better chance of being successful and happy with your change. If you have a clear sense of what you want to do and where you want to do it, it will be much easier to help people help you make that change. As you become more specific about where you are going, so too does the path to getting there.

Other considerations for your plan should include financial projections and potential educational needs. Ideally, your plan should be implemented while you still have your current job. If you are working full time while planning for a change, it requires good time management and goal setting. In the event you leave one job before finding another, you may find yourself taking the first job that comes along due to financial stresses. Planning and setting goals for your career change can help you make a smoother more successful transition.

Get a New Network

With a clear sense of direction must come the right network of people to help you get there. When making a career change, it is critical to network. But, your current network may not be effective. More often than not, you need to build a new network in your new field of interest. How can this be done, you may ask? One very effective way to build a new network is to conduct informational interviews in your field of interest.

Informational interviews are just that – interviews where you meet with someone to find out how they got into their current position. The way to have the most successful interviews is to do your homework so that you can ask precise questions. It is important to find out how a person spends his or her work day as well as the path that helped them obtain the position. See this article on how to make the most of informational interviews http://jobsearch.about.com/cs/infointerviews/a/infointerview.htm. As you meet with different people, they will inevitably refer you to other companies and people. Hence, your network will grow.

Other great ways to build a new network include joining professional organizations, volunteering, and completing internships in the chosen field. All these activities provide you with the opportunity to meet key people in your new field of interest. As you build relationships with your new network, opportunities will begin to present themselves.

Patience will be a virtue

As someone once said, “Anything worth doing is worth doing well.” Career changers should take these words to heart. To decide to make a change is a huge decision and one that deserves your best efforts, and most importantly, your patience. A well thought out career change can mean the difference between walking blindly through your life and living a life full of meaning and fulfillment. While this change may take time and unexpected turns, it is indeed something worth doing, and something worth doing well.

Sources consulted for this article:

1. Hansen, Randall. “10 Career Change Mistakes to Avoid”. Accessed: 2-19-08.
2. “Career Assessment Tools and Tests”. Accessed: 2-25-08.
3. Kerka, Sandra. “Adults in Career Transition”. Accessed: 2-19-08.

Guest Column: Get Into the Flow – and Land Your Dream Job!

Networking is indeed a key factor in any job search. Erika Hanson Brown is the president of Stellar Connections LLC and will be a featured speaker at the Jefferson County Workforce Center’s Job Fair for Boomers on April 22, 2008. In the article that follows, Ms. Brown shares her unique approach to network management. She will offer information on her program at the Job Fair for Boomers which is a no cost for job seekers over 40. For a sneak peak, read on to find out how to “Start to Manage Your Networks – Choose Your Job!” Jump to the article>>