With the rapidly changing shape of work and life, it is no longer news that the average person will have a minimum of three careers in their life time. Making the right move at the right time and for the right reasons will go a long way to bring fulfillment and satisfaction to you. Therefore, it is important that you engage in a carefully thought out analysis of the various options whenever you are trying to make a shift in your career focus. The following considerations should always guide you in your quest.

How prepared are you? Most people make decisions in order to be in tune with popular demand. Because the economy is in bad shape and particular professions have been badly hit, is not an excuse to decide you want a career shift. Having come this far in your career, any change you are planning to make should be deliberate and purposeful. You must be convinced that it is something you will be happy with in the long run. You must transcend the bandwagon effect and ask the question of whether you are set to make the change from your present career.

Take an inventory of your current skills. Having decided on the need to cross over, the next thing to immediately do is to take inventory of your current skills, knowledge and experience and then see the gap that exist between them and your desired career. Then, start listing the various skills, knowledge and experience you need to bridge the gap. Seek out and talk to people in your would-be career to guide you through the process.

Develop a parallel career before switching over. Career experts will never fail to advise aspiring career changers on the importance of building a parallel career before making the actual shift. You can do this by seeking out volunteer, temporary or internship positions in your new career field before quitting your current job and searching for a full-time position in your new career field. This step is crucial because it acquaints you with your new area and gives some assurance to your would-be employer that you will be trainable, since you already have the basics.

Consider your passion. If you are like most people, your first job after college must have been a child of necessity. You probably found yourself on that job, not because it was what you actually wanted but because you had limited choices when you were making the decision. It may have been possible that you had not clarified your career goals and determined what you actually want out of life when you made that first decision. Now that you have an idea of your passion and vision in life, do not decide on the next move without bringing them into the picture. When the chips are down and the going gets tough, it is your love for what you do that will sustain you.

Go for a functional rather than a chronological resume. When you are changing career, it pays to emphasize more on the skills, qualifications and certifications you have acquired, relevant to your new career, instead of detailing your previous work experience, which in most cases has little or no relevance to your desired career. As much as possible you will need to talk less about previous experience and blow up your other relevant assets.

You can talk to a career counselor or an HR expert to help you build a functional resume. It is your greatest tool in your career shift campaign.

Never decide on changing career for monetary reasons. I interviewed a friend who was contemplating a radical career change from the banking industry to the medical profession as a physical therapist. My first question to him was: what is your motivation for wanting to make this total switch? Certain careers are very enticing because of the material gains they offer, but be very careful of switching careers because of all the enticing benefits. Remember that you may make more money, but if you hate your new career, you will probably be spending that money on stress- and health-related expenses. A career that is hot today could be gone tomorrow, so dig deeper.

There comes a moment when workers must make a decision regarding their careers. But, many don’t really have an idea what to do and how they are going to do it. Deciding to leave behind a full time and good paying job is tough on the worker, and it is normal to fear fo rone’s future. if the worker, however, knows how to play his cards right, then he might be able to switch careers without risking a lot. And, in the end, he might even be thankful for it.
To know if and when it’s time to switch to another career, the worker must reflect and ponder on his skills and interests. It’s good to do this while you are still employed. Learning your skills and interest can buy the worker time to harness and improve them in time for a career change.
A worker should never be shy to ask for help and advice from other sources. Advice from the right people will always be an advantage on the worker’s part. There are various websites and places in the community that can help the worker change careers smoothly and successfully.
When the worker knows what career path to take next, things will be relatively easier for him. The worker must then know how their previous employment can help their new career or if they need to take several courses at a local college. Some careers will be managed and attained if the worker takes time to learn new courses and get additional trainings.
if the change was spurred because of the worker’s health then he must figure out and think hard of what he must and can have. He can assess his limitations, and check what he still can and cannot do to slim down his choices. But he should not be disappointed as there are still a lot of opportunities out there for differently abled workers. taking up new hobbies or pursuing a previous interest can open up doors for the worker and be his ticket to a happy and contented working life.
Being employed in the past is a leverage for the job seeker. He can then contact and elist the help of a recruitment agency to help him get a better job and enhance his chances of finding one.
Always be alert and look out for opening positions in other companies while on the job. And when he’s ready or if he thinks it’s the right time then he can easily approach that company you’ve been keeping your eye on, plus the fact that you are already familiar with some of their processes. The next step will be to update and format the worker’s resume tailoring it to the needs of the company and incorporating in it the worker’s previous experiences.
Sometimes, switching careers might mean moving to a new place and constant travelling. Working hours should also be considered, as the worker will be dealing with another company or place. The worker has to consider all these in order for him to change jobs in the smoothest and easiest way possible.

If you are thinking about changing your career, here are some mistakes to avoid.
Changing your career because you hate the job you now have is not a smart move. Just because you hate your current job doesn’t mean that your career or the industry you are currently in is wrong for you. It also doesn’t mean that changing your career will make the problems go away. You may hate your job because you hate your micro managing boss, or because you were romantically involved with a co-worker who has now scorned you. You might hate the employer you currently have because they don’t listen to your ideas or don’t encourage upward mobility. All these things may indicate it is time for changing your job.
They don’t necessarily indicate that it is time for changing your career.
It might also be that you hate your job because you need team skills or people skills the lack of which will carry over to any job or career you are considering changing too. The right counselor or mentor – and perhaps even your current immediate supervisor can help you assess what, if anything, you are lacking in these areas and how you can go about improving these skills.
Changing a career solely because the money and the benefits are better in the new career is almost always a mistake. Its such an old cliché, but its very true that money just doesn’t buy us happiness. What would happen if you make that career change, take that new job and make a lot more money than you do now – but you hate the new job? What might you spend that additional money on? You might just end up paying the medical bills for your ulcer. Keep in mind as well that those careers that pay those seven figure salaries almost without exception involve living the job. How many corporate executives do you know that work Monday through Friday, that schedule a two week vacation that doesn’t involve countless interruptions or even last minute cancellations? Think carefully before changing your career for money. It just might make you miserable.
Don’t ever let others dictate your need for a career change. If your parents wanted you to be a lawyer since you were two and you’re feeling that the social work job you love disappoints them, let them stay disappointed. Its your life.
Its often the case, however, that their disappointment is not real but rather something you’ve perceived incorrectly. Talk to them. Sit down and explain why you love your career, why you enjoy your work. You may just find that they’re happy for you. If that should not be the case – if your personal partner, or your parents, or your friends, think you are better than what you are currently achieving in your career, your allowing these small-minded people to influence you will only destroy your relationship with them in the end. There is nothing more destructive to a relationship than resentment and no one more resentful than someone pushed into changing to a career they don’t want, dont enjoy and dont derive satisfaction from.

If you are thinking about changing your career, here are some mistakes to avoid. Changing your career because you hate the job you now have is not a smart move. Just because you hate your current job does not mean that your career or the industry you are currently in is wrong for you. It also doesnt mean that changing your career will make the problems go away. You may hate your job because you hate your micro managing boss, or because you were romantically involved with a co-worker who has now scorned you. You might hate the employer you currently have because they do not listen to your ideas or dont encourage upward mobility. All these things may indicate it is time for changing your job.
They dont necessarily indicate that it is time for changing your career.
It might also be that you hate your job because you need team skills or people skills the lack of which will carry over to any job or career you are considering changing too. The right counsellor or mentor – and perhaps even your current immediate supervisor can help you assess what, if anything, you are lacking in these areas and how you can go about improving these skills.
Changing a career solely because the money and the benefits are better in the new career is almost always a mistake. Its such an old cliche, but its very true that money just does not buy us happiness. What would happen if you make that career change, take that new job and make a lot more money than you do now but you hate the new job? What might you spend that additional money on? You might just end up paying the medical bills for your ulcer. Keep in mind as well that those careers that pay those seven figure salaries almost without exception involve living the job. How many corporate executives do you know that work Monday through Friday, that schedule a two week vacation that does not involve countless interruptions or even last minute cancellations? Think carefully before changing your career for money. It just might make you miserable.
Do not ever let others dictate your need for a career change. If your parents wanted you to be a lawyer since you were two and youre feeling that the social work job you love disappoints them, let them stay disappointed. Its your life.
Its often the case, however, that their disappointment is not real but rather something youve perceived incorrectly. Talk to them. Sit down and explain why you love your career, why you enjoy your work. You may just find that theyre happy for you. If that should not be the case if your personal partner, or your parents, or your friends, think you are better than what you are currently achieving in your career, your allowing these small-minded people to influence you will only destroy your relationship with them in the end. There is nothing more destructive to a relationship than resentment and no one more resentful than someone pushed into changing to a career they dont want, dont enjoy and dont derive satisfaction from.

Sometimes your career seems to be going in the wrong direction and you start thinking about changing career path. However, practically, it is not an easy thing to do. There are several things that you would have to take into your careful consideration first.
Job Satisfaction
Career is not just about how much you earn. That sure does matter, but in the long run, job satisfaction matters more. You can never enjoy the benefits offered by a job if you are not getting mental fulfillment. In fact, lack of fulfillment is the primary reason why people change their job at some point of time or other. On the other hand, those with 100% job satisfaction really enjoy working and have the time of their life while on the job. Therefore, you just cannot undervalue this important aspect while you are thinking about changing career. That must be your top priority.
Do You Have Those Skills In You?
Every job requires you to have a set of specific skills. So, do you have those in you? If you do not possess those skills and qualifications, you will never be able to achieve fulfillment in your career. Therefore, while you are changing career, you must take your time to know whether you possess those skills or not. If not, is it possible for you to acquire those easily or would that be tough to do?
Review Your Strengths As Well As Weaknesses
After reviewing your skills, the next thing that you have to do is to review your strengths as well as weaknesses. In order to do this effectively, you must be capable enough of taking a critical look at yourself. Focus on those career options that can easily accommodate your strengths and weaknesses. Always remember the best career option for you is the one where you enjoy being yourself and still make money.
Financial Implications
Your job satisfaction will depend upon how much you can earn. Therefore, while you are considering changing career, you must also think seriously about the financial implications. You have to be very realistic about this aspect. Do your math. How much money is required to spend on acquiring the new set of skills required for the new job? Are the monetary compensation and other benefits offered by the new job sufficient enough to meet all your requirements?
Get Expert Advice
Considering the wide array of things that you need to take into account while changing career, sometimes you may find yourself in a quandary. If you are confused and are unable to take a decision on your own, you are strongly recommended to get expert advice. There are various specialists in this field, such as career counselors, who can guide you in the right direction by helping you put everything in the right perspective. With their help, you will get to know the best way to put all the above factors to proper use.
Overall, when it comes to changing career path, you have to be very careful and must follow the right approach. The more informed you are, the better would be the decision you will be able to make.

People change careers a lot more than they once did; typically at least five or six times in a person’s working life. This sounds a little strange until you stop to consider the little twists and turns that life offers up, which seem so small at the time and turn out to be life defining. Managing a career is all about seizing opportunities within a strategic plan, but sometimes those opportunities lead to a path previously undiscovered: and a whole new world of opportunities unfolds.
Changing career without changing career: evolution
Perplexing as it may seem, sometimes the biggest change happens within the smallest adjustment. A florist may find that by moving to a new city or adding an extra skill, that floristry career opens up into something very new and exciting without diverging fundamentally from the original path. This is basically an evolution of a career, drawing new skills and experiences into something that is already working well and bringing job satisfaction.
Seizing the day
Alternatively, some opportunities present a difficult choice: follow the chance of something great, or stick to what you know. If you choose to be adventurous, changing career for something wildly different, you invite change into your life to present all manner of new people, experiences, skills and career development. You might find that your ‘old’ career actually bonds itself to the new in strange and wonderful ways, perhaps paving the way for a unique specialization.
A veterinarian turned teacher can use knowledge of animals and a carer’s instinct to impart this in young people, a business person who turns to farming can increase their odds of success on the land through established business smarts. There is a risk/reward ratio that runs through life, which generally applies the greatest reward to those willing to take the greatest risk.
People often fall into careers that don’t in the end deliver satisfaction. They may have been pushed by well meaning parents or teachers, or may have just developed into different people as time passed by and now need something different than before. Usually, it is a case of one thing leading to another. When a promotion is available and it requires relocating to the other side of the country and re-skilling in a new field or a competitor makes a job offer at a higher salary: these are the decisions that can spin a career into a whole new direction.
We can easily imagine the flight attendant turned travel consultant, who does a great job and shows a flair for marketing; thereby being promoted to a head office role. Still working in the travel industry, our example worker is slowly becoming more marketer than trave specialist, seeking out further training in the marketing field. The next step for this individual might be a marketing role with another company, which in turn brings new experiences and perhaps another career change down the track.
Every person’s life is a journey, and our working lives are a huge part of that voyage. Every different choice we make and path we select begins to form the bigger picture of our working careers. Like our fingerprints, the experiences we have along the way makes us unique as employees, with a distinct employee ‘brand’ to showcase to employers.
Changing career is not something to be fearful of, but rather represents the wonderful moments in life when we are propelled in new and exciting directions.

Doing the ‘right job’ has become very important these days. As a result, people are observed making mid-career moves every now and then. It is no longer considered taboo to shift jobs even if one may have spent a decent amount of time in a certain job. What is more important for an individual is to enjoy what he does rather than spending an inordinate amount of time in a job he does not like doing.
As a result, changing career becomes imperative for a large number of people every year. In the last few decades, it is true that the choice of careers has expanded beyond imagination. One is no longer left with just a few conventional career choices of being a doctor or a teacher or a banker. Instead, new age careers have come up that offer the combination of good money as well as a satisfying work profile.
Before one embarks on a decision to change careers, it is essential to consider some points.
1. Decide Which Career To Opt For: There are a whole lot of resources available on the internet or in books that talk about the various career choices in the job market. Before deciding on which career to opt for, one should conduct adequate research about the new job. This would be important to ensure that once one changes his/her career to a new field, it doesn’t come across as an unpleasant experience.
2. Tailoring the Resume: Once one decides on a new career avenue, it is important to tailor the existing resume to match the skill sets that the new career demands. One would also need to customize the covering letter with regard to the specific company one applies.
3. Skill Enhancement: Although one’s skills might be usable to a large extent in the new career, there are times when changing careers requires certain skills to be enhanced as well. One might, for example, shift from sales to marketing which would require familiarity with marketing concepts. In such cases, one should either sign up for a short refresher course or take a brief sabbatical to get a specialized degree from a college before getting employment.
4. Employing Patience: It is important to note that the path for changing careers is strewn with rocks and stones, so patience is a virtue that needs to be adopted. It is easy to get frustrated when one fails to get a positive response from potential employers. However, one should not lose patience but keep on applying till one gets the job of his/her choice.
In addition to the things listed above that discuss what one “should” do; there are a number of things to beware of. A random list of ‘don’ts’ is:
- Do not confuse changing jobs with changing careers. Changing careers is a major decision and should be taken only after sufficient research and thought has gone into it.
- Changing careers only for money is a bad idea. In most cases, people fail to realize that there is a cost to pay for a higher compensation in the form of more travel or longer working hours.
- Changing careers to a new one without making a realistic assessment of one’s skills and strengths might be disastrous.

Changing career is a big decision and should not be taken in haste. Different people have different reasons for changing their career. Some want better paying jobs, some want good designations, others want career satisfaction and fulfillment, and so on.
If you are also planning to change your career, then you should consider the following points -
Appropriate Reason For Change
A mere argument with your superior should not be a reason for a career change. Take sufficient time to think why you want to switch your career. Money, boredom, and problems with superiors or colleagues are not the right reasons for leaving your current job.
Inter-department Transfers
It is not necessary that you should leave your present job for changing career. Lot of organizations allows their employees to work in different departments depending on their interests and skills. You should check such opportunities in your own organization before taking the call.
Skills
Identify the skills that are required for the new career option that you are planning to take up. If someone else is successful in a particular career, it doesn’t mean that you too will be successful in that field. You must possess the required skills, training and qualifications meant to get in to that career. Otherwise, you should plan to attend the school to prepare yourself for that.
Interests
You should choose a career that best suits your interests. People who love their jobs are successful.
Research
Do as much research as possible on your new career options. Discussing about it with people in a similar field will help.
Some of the important things to check while taking up the new role are:
- What will be the salary?
- Will you be able to maintain your current standard of living?
- What will the job description?
- What will be your career path?
- What all incentives will you get?
- How much traveling will be required in your new job?
- Do you have to relocate for the new job? Does the new job require frequent relocations?
- How demanding will be the new job? Will you be able to maintain work life balance or not?
Volunteer or Internship
To know about any field, you can temporarily volunteer to work in that field or take up internship. This will give you hands-on experience and hence will help to make the right decision.
Network
Once you are sure that you want to change the career, you should seek help from family and friends working in the same field. They can help you to find the right job. You can apply for jobs through various job portals and consultants.
When switching career, it is wise to consider your skills, interests, and qualifications. Changing career not only affects you but also your family. Hence, it is advised that you should consult and seek advice from your family members before taking this decision. Do not decide changing career overnight. Take sufficient time to do the research and weigh all the pros and cons of your present and future job.