Making a career change is more than just changing jobs. For instance, if you don’t like your boss or the co-workers in your accounting firm, you can get another accounting job with people you like better. But if you’re tired of the numbers game, you may need to find a whole new career in a different industry.Check out the following signs that you might need a career change. You may want to think about parlaying one of your interests into a new career sooner rather than later.1. Dead End Career.You’ve come about as far as you can. You can’t move up the ranks anymore. You’re locked into the same thing for the next decade or so, and quite frankly, you’re getting a little tired of the rat race anyway. It’s time to move on.

2. No Passion.If your heart just isn’t in your work, those 40 or 50 hours of work each week start to feel like pure torture as you watch the clock on the wall tick towards 5pm. Or perhaps stress and not boredom has run the passion out of you. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health reports that 40% of workers find their jobs to be very stressful. If you fall into that group, you may want to look into a career with a little less pressure and a lot more fun.

3. Need More Money.Sure, your job treats you well. But the kids will be going to college, and that roof won’t stop leaking by itself. Maybe you love being a dance choreographer, but the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that median annual earnings are only $34,660. Compare that to a career as a computer scientist, who earns $93,950 a year, and you get the picture. While a career change may result in an initial pay cut, if you’ve chosen well, you’ll be in a position to earn more money over the long haul and meet the financial demands in your life.

If you fall into one or more of these categories, it’s probably time to consider moving on. If you’re looking for a place to start, begin with yourself. Think about what you like to do. Then start networking and talking to friends. You may be surprised by the new career opportunities that are out there.

People are bouncing from job to job a lot more than they used to. It’s uncommon to find someone who has stayed with a company for more than five years. That means a lot more people have to deal with 401k issues than ever before. If you want to make the most of your 401k when you switch jobs, make sure you follow these rules:
Rule #1 — Never cash out your 401k just because you’re changing companies.
Did you know that almost 90% of the people who change jobs cash out their retirement account? That’s a ton of wasted money! When you cash out a retirement account, you have to pay taxes on it. You also have to pay early withdrawal fees. So you lose almost 40% of your hard-earned money. If you have $10,000 in your account, you’ll get a check for about $6,000. That hurts!
Rule #2 — Have the money transferred to an IRA
Instead of cashing out your 401k, simply have it transferred to an IRA. Just tell your company where you want it transferred and they’ll take care of it. They may have some paperwork for you to fill out. But it’s pretty simple. Never take a check directly from your company. If you do, you’ll have to pay the taxes and fees — even if you deposit it directly into an IRA.
Some people suggest leaving your money in the plan if you work for a large company. The thinking is that these are less likely to go out of business. But, as we saw with Enron, that’s not always true. I recommend you move the money when you leave — regardless of the company’s size. It makes for a clean break and you don’t have to worry about the company’s solvency.
Rule #3 — If you work for a small company, watch your account closely.
Consumer advocate Clark Howard warns: “If you have a 401k plan at a small business, keep your eyes and ears open. Watch how quickly your paycheck money is going into your account while you’re working there. If your account doesn’t go up when you get a deposit slip, it’s time to think about moving on and moving your money. That means the company is withholding 401k money to stay afloat. Think about stopping your contributions, something I don’t recommend often. And get the money into an IRA immediately.”
Saving for retirement should be one of your highest financial priorities, just below giving, taking care of needs (food, clothing, shelter, etc.), certain insurance requirements, and paying off debt. You can be a good steward of these accounts just by following these simple rules.