Facing a Career Change Economic times are difficult today, and many people are facing a career change in order to maintain their standard of living. As scary as that may sound, it gives many people the opportunity to renew the passion they had for their specialty by finding something new that they can really be interested in. Many people choose what they want to do in high school or their first year in college, and once they realize they have to spend the next 20 + years hammering that anvil, they find out it isn’t what they wanted at all. Here are some tips to prepare yourself for facing that change that will make the transition easier when it comes: Be Passionate About Your New Career Have you discovered what your true niche is? Some people realize what they really want to do while working in the career they previously chose, and once the time for change happens, they are able to truly concentrate on what they are passionate about. It is much easier to choose a position that you can commit to after you have gained more experience, began living a certain lifestyle, and are more confident in your abilities to manage a career path than when you are fresh out of high school. Put some time and effort into choosing a new career path that you will really enjoy. Research New Training and Education When you are faced with the change, it is important to prepare yourself properly for your next move. Be sure to look into different training programs and schools, determine whether you will only need an additional certification or license, or if a degree will be required. Ensure that the school or training program that you choose is credible by checking its accreditation status and find out what other students experiences have been with that school. Feedback from students who have attended that institution is a great way to determine if that program will be worth your time, so be sure to seek out forums or reviews. Prepare Your Budget and Finances Many people do not appropriately prepare their finances and budget for the career change they are facing. When a person changes careers, it is possible that they will not make the same amount of money they made, either in a lower amount or in a higher amount of their previous salary. If your new salary will be lower than the salary you were accustomed to, make a new budget, cut expenses and make the necessary adjustments to ensure that your family will still be able to function.

If you find yourself out of work in a field that is simply not hiring, now may be the perfect time to change careers. Very often, you can obtain employment by restructuring your resume so that it reflects different strengths and attributes. In other cases, you may want to opt for a complete career change to a field that is going to remain stable in years to come. Take the following tips when it comes to changing careers:
Take a look at the outlook for the employment field of your choice
If you have not joined a job network site, now is the time to do so. Here you can see which jobs are hot and pay the best salaries. You will not want to take a job that you will not enjoy just for the money – this is a big mistake. Be sure to choose a career field that appeals to you – one that you will enjoy when you are considering changing careers.
Find out what skills are needed for this career choice
Every type of career requires certain job skills as well as education. There are some career fields that require more training than education and some that you can enter with as little as 6 months training. Take a look at your employment choices and see what you need to do to enter the career field of your choice. Remember that you are changing careers and not furthering your own career. More of an education in the same field is not required. You may need to totally revamp your education.
Consider teaching
One way that you can change careers is to consider teaching. If you have a four year degree and have been laid off from a business job, consider getting a teaching certificate. There are many school districts desperate for qualified teachers. One of the easiest career changes that you can make is to transfer from the private sector to the public by getting a teaching certification. Jobs in this field offer a decent salary as well as benefits.
Acquire the skills
After you have decided what you want to do, start to acquire the skills. If you are still employed, you can opt to take classes to get your training or education in the evenings or online. In some cases, you can work at your own pace to acquire the skills and education that you need to earn a job in the career field of your choice. Many times, you can get the skills and education you need in a short amount of time so that you can embark on your career change.
Build your resume
Once you are ready to go out and seek a job in your new employment field, you can the build your resume that is geared towards this field. Be sure to use all resume building tips that you can to accent your positive attributes and what you can bring to your new employer. You may want to take some resume building tips from a job network board, especially if it has been a long time since you created a resume for yourself.

Are you unhappy with your current lot in your professional life? If you’re less than satisfied with your job, you’re not alone. According to a recent online jobsite survey, 86% of employees are not happy with their current position. The number one reason cited–management. Managers should take note: An even higher number of employees said they plan to look for new jobs within the next six months. Whether employees will decide to act on their impulses, or decide to take a sit-and-wait approach has yet to be determined.

One thing is certain: Dissatisfaction seems to be a universal trend. According to a recent “New Employer/Employee Survey” conducted for a broad range of nearly 8,000 members of the U.S. workforce, only 45% of workers say they are satisfied, or extremely satisfied with their jobs. As you might expect, only 20% felt very passionate about their jobs. These numbers suggest that the key to career satisfaction is to be in a line of work that inspires and energizes you.Education: The Key to Your New Career Path

If you ever have doubted the direct correlation between your level of education and your career potential, you would be wise to study the link between formal education and average earnings. The American Council on Education (ACE) released a recent survey showing that in 2002, bachelor’s degree holders earned an average of 88% more than high school graduates. Twenty years ago, college graduates earned an average of 61% more. The undeniable trend? Education is the stepping-stone to increasing your earning potential and unlocking doors to more career options.Stuck in a Rut with a Dead-End Future? Do a U-Turn and Get Back on Track!

According to a recent assessment conducted by the U.S. Department of Education, 88% of students complete high school in the United States. If you’re one of the 12% who hasn’t, your future career opportunities can be dismal. To get back on track with your education, obtain a high school equivalency from your local school district, continuing education units, or even community college with a General Education Development (GED) program. Don’t be afraid to take advantage of these programs. They can provide the jump-start you need to get out of a dead-end job and increase your future career opportunities. You need to have your GED before you can seek higher education. According to ACE, one in every seven Americans with high school credentials received the GED, as did one in every twenty college students.Use Your Experience to Your Advantage When Seeking a Career Change

According to recent estimates by the Census Bureau, 24.4% of U.S. citizens have a bachelor’s degree. If you’re one of the lucky graduates, you already have a significant leg-up. But, if you landed in an industry where you just don’t fit and begrudgingly report to work day in and day out, you may want to look at a 180-degree career change. Don’t be afraid to pursue opportunities outside of your current professional realm. Your personal experience, hobbies, or even affiliations outside of the office can help you land other jobs. Use your experience to your advantage. At first blush, your experience may seem to be unrelated to what you really want to do, but don’t sell yourself short. View all of your experiences as strengths and play up any transferable skills on your next job application. Keep in mind that, in general, employers like to diversify their workplaces. You may bring a well-rounded and fresh perspective to a different career path because of your experiences, which is highly sought after by many employers. A diverse background in a different career field can boast of your adaptability, and may actually be seen as an attribute that distinguishes you from your competition.Is it Time? Take a Chance and Change Your Career

Keep in mind that only you can decide what will make you happy. Be careful not to flock to a popular or hot job just because it looks impressive on a resume. Choose something that will provide meaningful, stimulating work for you. Also, don’t feel like you’re a statistical anomaly or disloyal by seeking a career change. Recent studies indicate that the average worker will change careers several times over the course of his professional lifetime. Gone are the days of toiling away for one employer and retiring after 30 years of loyal service. Know what you want, and go after it. A career change can improve your well-being and your outlook for the future. In the words of self-fulfillment guru, Walter Anderson, “Our lives improve only when we take chances and the first and most difficult risk we can take is to be honest with ourselves.”