A career change can be riddled with mistakes and ambiguity for many people, even those in mid-career. This, as a consequence, relegates them to where they are despite additions to their job and personal skill sets and the larger market scenario. This small but indicative list of career changes Dos and Don’ts will help to make things clearer.

Career Change Don’ts

-Never come out any job before you have another one. Don’t quit a job on impulse, only when you have a solid plan. Leaving a job too early will have obvious negative effects. You could easily find yourself without a job with no leads in sight.

-A career change cannot be spontaneous but must be the result of a well-planned and well thought out decision. Do not plan to change your career in just minutes.

-Don’t change your career just for the sake of big/instant money or glamour; rather, give some real thought as to whether you are really interested in switching to another career. Sure, the new career might seem great at first, but will you still enjoy it after several years?

-Don’t have unrealistic expectations from the career that you are going to choose.

-Don’t pay attention to rumors or gossip or even react to them during your job change process.

-Don’t spread the word about your leaving the job until it is confirmed in writing.

-Don’t leave your ’safe’ job until you know where and how you will be compensated.

-Don’t leave the job for until you have ensured that you will not have to pay your monthly bills from your savings

-Don’t ever spread misinformation about your past employer

The Dos of Career Change

-While still in your current job, you can gather information or rather work part-time for the career you have chosen. It will give you some idea of the scope and nature of your target job.

-While still in your present career, learn as much as you can and plan to take that knowledge with you.

-List your strengths and qualities in fields you that you already excel. Identify your need for a career change.

-If it is sheer frustration or stress and all other aspects are fine in your present job, then target these two problems rather going for a career change.

-Maintain a positive relationship with your present organization and leave the job on a positive note.

-As soon as you join your new employer, get down to business without wasting time; you will have lot to learn in a new environment.



By: Tony Jacowski

About the Author:

Percy

wizard asked:


I have a stable job currently, I’ve simply grown tired and bored at my current position. But it is stable. I’m concerned that if I find a new career path that I could also be the first to get laid off. (I live in Texas where it’s a right to work state) My friends tell me to ride it out and stay put until the economy turns around. Would you agree?

Quenby

jeremy l asked:


I am an intelligence agent who is looking for future career paths, what are my options (locations, education, organizations). I want to know what things i will need in five years to get into a different career with my experience.

Kerry

2 years ago, we re-packaged our winning formula for helping people attain the career of their dreams and doubling their salaries. The results have been phenomenal with 100% success rate and thousands of people attaining the right career change and getting job of their dreams.

However, before we tell you what this winning formula is, let us establish the key reasons why people develop the need for a career change:

There are two deciding factors for this:

External Factors

A lot people develop the need for a career change due to a number of external factors and these can be related to their working relationships with fellow colleagues, an inability to grow within the company, poor location, an unpleasant environment or family related reasons.

When any of these factors become the need for a career change, there are questions you need to ask yourself before making that life changing decision to change your career.

“Am I sure the problem does not lie with me?”

1. How well do you relate with people? – Would you say your attitude welcomes or drives people from you? If the problem has got to do with your attitude, you’ll have the same problem elsewhere.

2. How competitive are you within your current role? – Employers value employees that help grow their business and will give anything to retain that person. Are you exercising your natural talents at work daily? Your natural energisers (PASSION)! Do you have any for your current job?

3. Location, environment and family related reasons are also external factors that puts us in a position to make life changing choices, but they must never be at the risk of loosing our identity. what makes us whole and fulfilled in life.

Internal Factors

These factors are probably the most valid reason when it comes to experiencing the need for a career change.

It’s battle between what your conscience is telling you, your dreams, hopes, aspiration and your current situation. The need for a better life, a more fulfilling career, the ability to exercise your natural talents and engage your passion.

A Combination of External & Internal Factors

On the other hand, it could be a combination of both external and internal factors, which can be very dangerous because it can lead to a life of frustration, despair. Inevitably leading to envy and jealousy for the progress of other people.

When this happens, you could find yourself wanting the success of others and dedicating your life to getting it.

This is a road that will always lead to a dead end.

Little progress is made when you try to be someone else. Most times, your weaknesses become more evident and people begin to see an incompetent employee rather than a competent one.

So Why Do You Need A Career Change

This is what it’s all about. Finding the answer to your ‘WHY’s in life.

As Stephen Covey once mentioned at one of his seminars, if you can find the answers to your ‘WHY’s in life, you can handle any ‘WHAT’, ‘WHERE’, ‘WHEN’, ‘HOW’ or ‘IF’.

Why do you need a career change?

If your answer to this question falls under the need to attain career fulfilment, enjoy going to work and getting paid a fortune for what you do so naturally, then our successfully tried and tested, easy to apply principles can help you make the right career change today.

Here is a quick summary of the 7 easy to understand and apply principles to changing your career and attaining the job of your dreams:

Step 1: The 12 Laws of Discovering Your Purpose

- Give a dog a bone and you’ve got it working, give a dog your month’s wage in cash and you’ll be working extra hours to make the money back.

“Where purpose is unknown, abuse is inevitable”- Myles Munroe

Step 2: Creating Your Unique Selling Point

People will only see you as you see yourself. When you pay to watch a play or a movie, you are not just there to see the actors but to enjoy the characters they portray – 100% of our candidates have potentially doubled their salaries and gotten the career of their dreams because our eWorkshop has taught them how to create their Unique Selling Point (USP).

Step 3: Knowing What The Employer Wants

A doctor never tries to treat a patient without trying to first diagnose the cause of illness. Diagnose the Employer – Joyce attained two great job offers because of this.

This eWorkshop will teach you how to do this in relation to your chosen career.

Step 4: Job Hunting Smarter Not Harder

70% of jobs are never advertised and 1 in 4 jobs are duplicated online at least 5 times out of the 30% of jobs actually advertised. You need to be looking for the 70% of jobs. How you do this requires thinking outside the box.

Step 5: How To Rebrand & Remarket Yourself To Win

80% of employers overlook key details on your Resume / CV and to every job advertised nationally, there are 1000 applicants to each job. If your Resume / CV does not stand out, you might as well stay out. Our sample Resume and CV templates got Joyce a job of a life time. Triple her previous salary.

Step 6: How To Network From The Top Down

If Bill Gates was your best friend, would you need to contact HR? The internet has made networking as easy as a piece of cake. James has been using this concept since he graduated. Today, he is an Investment Banker for one of the world’s Investment banking companies.

Step 7: Selling Without Selling At Interviews

No one likes to be sold to. We like to feel like we are buying for our own reasons. When you go fishing and you want to catch a fish, do you bait the hook with your favourite food or with the favourite food of the fish. Bait the hook according to the fish type. Maria applied this principle and she is earning double her previous salary.

www.careerinsights.tv



By: Keji Giwa

About the Author:

Cedric

A baby boomer career change requires more wisdom now than at any other time. Workplace and personal change may have occurred without complete approval. Some may have found genuine fulfillment managing a regular and highly approved voluntary task providing help to the needy. Many are still searching within an environment of beautiful gardens, expensive cars and large boats.

An important season has arrived where quality time must be taken to organize a suitable agenda that could go for another worklife.

The workforce may have previously provided the traditional source of income as well as the necessary social interaction and skill development. Numerous experiences would have molded and made every life. What could be still needing serious attention is the baby boomer career change providing essential life fulfillment.

A fortunate few may have been able to recognize and develop skills and talent from a young age and work with these throughout years in the workforce with jobs or careers that provided fulfillment, contentment, satisfaction, pleasure, peace as well as the cash. Choice of the right partner and minimal debt shouldn’t prevent a baby boomer career change..

Many others will now be aware what should or should not have been done. Change in boomer occupation can bring about numerous changes other than a different income source.

This is a season where distressing passed events must be cast from all conversation, banned from the mind and used only as a reminder of what to stay away from, ignore and reject especially during the early stages of taking on the new directions and focus.

Many will now be aware of that particular gift, talent or skill providing pleasure. The choice is yours but the passion and desire must be strong enough to seek out the most suitable reliable business avenues with processes that will supply the new income and provide that much sought boomer occupation modification. The gift may be traditional or unique but will require its own specific management to provide an income that can grow. You are the right one to make it special.

Others may choose to retrain or undertake their boomer job change in the business arena based on new content with an unknown future. This boldness is excellent but requires health and wisdom.

Experiences gained and remembered whilst in the traditional workforce or even snippets from a friendly conversation remembered on affiliate marketing from a happy neighbor can direct these decisions. Take the effort and make the time to discover what must be learnt. Fear must be rejected and not accepted as a false warning to cancel progress.

Successful boomer job change begins with making the right choice. The baby boomer doing the voluntary work with the needy has made a choice that will provide either pleasure and fulfillment or frustration and irritation.

The worker who has made the right boomer occuupation modification is delighted when the client has learnt how to rediscover and market a gift, develop internet marketing skills, write about a major learning experience or even successfully complete a simple but necessary computing course at the local institute. The one who is still seaching may be requiring a short course from the old client.



By: Ken Little

About the Author:

Denley

Advising others to change career sounds very simple and a workable proposition. When it comes to us, it becomes one of the toughest decisions to implement. A career change needs lot of mental preparation. If you have a family, that may get disrupted by your career change. The income may stop for some time. The decision itself may turn out to be a wrong one. It needs mental strength to change career. Let us see what it requires.

A change of career shifts us from a comfort zone to a zone full of discomfort in the beginning. For a full time production engineer, a change to a career as human resources consultant may need a total about turn, back to school and learning new skills for the new job. Some people change careers so totally that it looks incredible. Let us talk about changes that can be done more smoothly. I am talking about learning about a new career along with the old one and then shifting to the new career slowly. This process also requires mental strength, because it needs lot of extra work.

The first barrier that one encounters while thinking of career change is- how did I get into a wrong career? What if my new decision also turns out to be wrong? What if I continue with my present career? Why should I change my career? Some of these questions need head to answer and some questions are for the heart such as asking why did I chose the wrong career to begin with, may involve damage to self esteem, and acceptance of failure.

Before thinking of changing career, one needs to do analysis of life goals, and deciding about how the present career does not satisfy those goals. Only after deciding that something drastic needs to be done can one think about changing career. One has to develop mental and emotional strength to undergo these changes and emerge a winner again.

Related link :- Business & Career Fun Quizzes



By: Cdmohatta

About the Author:

Casey

Women finding themselves at the stage labeled “midlife” (read 40 and up) may be in a tumultuous period of transition that can be confusing and scary. Menopause, empty nest syndrome, divorce, aging parents, downsizing, etc. can come hand in hand with yet another transition: a career challenge.

Midlife women should first realize that they are not alone. The MacArthur Foundation study “Midlife in the United States” found that 36% of women have experienced a midlife crisis by age 50. Many of them are looking to new careers as part of their solution to how life is unfolding at this time.

Divorce often adds to the need to find a career because of distressing financial realities. The MacArthur study found that the divorce rate for women in their 40s is higher than that of those in any other age range. And if they have spent years at home raising their children these women find themselves without “marketable” skills and are likely to panic.

Another reason women change careers at midlife is because they are looking for fulfillment. Some may have already had a successful career or finished putting the kids through school. They are ready for more: possibly work that gives back to their community or expresses more of their creative spirit.

· How to Make a Successful Career Change During Midlife

Remember that you are a veteran: you have been through several life transitions before reaching this one. Like any growth period in your life there is bound to be fear, stress and confusion. Here’s the great part about getting through this one: you get to use all the life skills and wisdom you have been accumulating to make it work.

Therefore, it is important take the time and space to reflect on this life-altering decision. Let your choices be less driven by financial need, and be more about your talents, desires and life purpose; in short a decision that makes you feel great.

Again, remember that you are not alone. The Pathfinder Center reports that more women over 40 change careers than those in their 20s and 30s combined. And because of the demand for career transition services, there are many resources to explore: books and tests about aptitude, interest, values, style and personality. The possibilities can be overwhelming.

Here is where Career Transition Coaches come in. At minimum they will help you with a thorough evaluation of the physical, emotional, financial and professional aspects of your life. But if you want the best, you want a coach who will help you discover what hasn’t worked for you. And that coach should be a guide to help you ingrain the beliefs, attitudes about life and yourself that will lead to the kind of prosperity you deserve.

You will want someone at your side as you consider taking huge risks in order to step into a bigger idea of yourself. It means creating new habits and a new self-image. Imagine someone standing with you who sees the greatness in you that you cannot yet believe in.

· Why Midlife Career Changes are Working

While women at midlife may face obstacles in returning to the workforce or starting a new career, they are making it work. The number of women making more than $100,000 has tripled in the last decade. And women in their midlife years are poised to add to these numbers because they have the skills, confidence and desire to pursue their dreams.

Statistics show that women’s ability to fulfill their dreams increases after age 50. So there is a lot of reason for optimism. Take heart and embrace the challenge.



By: Ajay R (articlesubmit.net)

About the Author:

Vernon

Job Seeker asked:


I began a new hobby last December that I absolutely love and would like to turn into a career. I have no formal training in photography, but would consider going back to school to get another degree. I already have a B.A. in Psychology. I know that very, very few photographers get rich or become famous. I just want to love what I do and earn enough to make a living for one person.

Cliff

Over the last few years through my work in adult education I have met more and more peole who have decided on a radical career change. And far from the cliché of the mid-life crisis, we find that people are making this decision for many different reasons and may be aged anywhere between 25 and 60 years of age, or older.

People may decide to change careers because:

- they are becoming disillusioned with their current profession or career

- they have lost interest in their current role

- they feel they have gone as far as they are able in their current role

- they are seeking a better life-work balance

- they would like to earn a living out of something they love doing, perhaps currently a hobby.

Today, career change is becoming the norm rather than the exception, with many studies showing that the average person will change careers (not just jobs) several times over the course of their working life.

If you are considering a career change, you may find the following steps useful as you navigate your way through the process.

Step 1: Take some time to rediscover yourself. If your main reason for considering a career change is dissatisfaction with your current situation, it’s important to step back and assess your situation objectively. What it is about the situation that is really causing the problem – the job, the boss, the company, the profession itself? Are there any aspects of your current role that you still enjoy? These can give you a clue about which direction to take next. It may be that factors outside work are causing the problem – perhaps you don’t have enough time with your family, or to follow your other interests. Sometimes when you have completed this step you will realise that a drastic career change is not the answer. Switching to flexible or part-time working may give you the freedom you need to create a better work-life balance. Shifting to a different area of your profession may reinvigorate your interest and enthusiasm.

Step 2: Explore alternatives. If you decide that a career change really is what you need, the next stage is to explore your interests and enthusiasms in more depth. What really gets you firing on all cylinders? Explore possible careers around your interests. You can find useful career information on the Learndirect website – this is an independent, government funded website offering a range of resources, including career advice and over 700 job profiles. It also includes advice on the training required for each career.

Step 3: Assess your current skills and experience. Even if you are planning to move into a very different career area, you may be surprised at how many of your current skills and experiences are relevant. Make the most of these as they can provide a strong foundation for your career change. Sometimes current skills can provide a stepping stone into a new career area. Louise worked in a big marketing agency and had decided to change careers completely, building on her keen interest in gardening, she planned to start her own landscaping company. She realised that retraining was essential. Her first step was a new job as marketing officer of a large landscaping and design company. This gave her the opportunity to learn more about the industry while completing her horticultural training on a part-time basis.

Step 4: Obtain further training. Often career change will require some retraining or updating of current skills. It may be possible to obtain funding for some of your training from your current employer, especially if your current career shares some similarities with the new one. There are many options available that allow you to train and work full-time as well. These include distance learning courses as well as part-time college or university courses. Introductory courses are a good way to test the water and ensure you really have made the right career choice. Sometimes a subject that you love as a hobby can lose it’s lustre when it becomes a career and you have to earn living from it.

Step 5: Work experience. Another way of finding out more about your chosen career is to obtain a part-time job or volunteer in your new area. This is a good way of learning more about the industry and making contacts, as well as helping to confirm that this really is the right choice for you.

Step 6: Be open-minded. Flexibility is important. Starting in a new career often means starting from the bottom of the ladder again. You will almost certainly need to take a salary cut as well as a cut in your status at work. You may also need to relocate. Set clear goals and be prepared for the odd setback. Think of it this way, if you were having a new kitchen fitted you would expect a bit of mess and disruption, it’s an inevitable part of the process, and the same is true when making life changes too. But however well-prepared you are, such drastic change can be tough at times. It’s important to have support network in place – whether a mentor in your new workplace or supportive friends or loved ones. Also keep in mind a clear vision of your long-term goals, it will help you to stay focused through the difficult spells.



By: Linda Pollitt

About the Author:

Robin

There are times when circumstances at your workplace prompt you to go in for a career change. Your frustration could arise from factors like working hours, the pay packet, your boss, sometimes even an annoying colleague. Now career transition is always your decision in the end, but sometimes you need to think things over and not jump the gun. Let us have look at some such situations.

A new supervisor makes many people rethink their career plans. The reason is not hard to find. A new boss often feels that they should quickly establish their authority over the human resources at their disposal. This makes them a bit difficult at the outset. Just hold off the urge to quit right away. Give it some time. You might be surprised to find your new boss displaying milder, even friendlier aspects of their personality as time goes by.

A common reason for going into a job search mode is the annoying co-worker. They may or may not be the person sitting at the next desk, but they have the habit of getting under your skin. It is unfortunate if the dislike of a colleague is strong enough to get you looking for recruitment services.

Under normal circumstances no one should make you quit your job, especially if someone else rather than yourself is in the wrong. Naturally if a fellow worker threatens your safety you need to take immediate action. But the first step should always be contacting higher ups and airing your grievances rather than running off to the recruitment agencies.

A poor appraisal of your efforts at work may cause you to want to quit your job. It might seem to you that you have been unfairly assessed. You might feel embarrassed and frustrated, even unwanted by the organization. The thing to remember here is that it can happen to the smartest and most hardworking of employees. You cannot be perfect all the time. It is important to take this setback to your career plans with a positive frame of mind. Let it be a wake up call to refocus on your workplace actions so that your efforts contribute to the achievement of organizational goals. Instead of resigning, the way forward should be to try for a better appraisal next time.

Being denied the promotion you believe you deserved can sometimes be hard to take, leading you to consider career development elsewhere. Quitting immediately is not the solution, though. A good number of factors come into play when the matter of promotion crops up. Try to figure out what went against you. Was there a more qualified colleague? Did a more experienced or senior employee get promoted instead of you?

You can also treat this as an opportunity to set goals for yourself, fine-tune your efforts at the workplace, and improve your skill set. If in spite of this you find yourself being repeatedly passed up for promotions that you deserve, then it’s time to seek recruitment advice and look for career advancement somewhere else.

In all the situations mentioned above, you might feel a strong impulse to quit your job immediately. Apart from extenuating circumstances, such as sexual harassment in your workplace or other dangerous situations, you would be better off thinking it over calmly and objectively before you make your decision.



By: James Utterson

About the Author:

Ivan