Consider These Three Things Before Changing Your Career

Nancy Anderson
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A career change is no small matter, especially when you consider the time, energy and effort you put into your professional life. However, switching to a completely different line of work can be a rewarding experience. Examine these three factors before making your decision to see if a new profession is the right way to go.

1. Show Value

Your resume should show the value you bring to a company regardless of what position you want. Your career change needs to happen after you answer the question, "What can I bring to the employer that makes them want to take a chance on me?" Your qualifications should add value to the company beyond the salary you desire so the firm gets a return on its investment.

Other questions you should ponder include: Can I save or make the company money? Can I solve a major problem facing the firm? If your resume cannot show an employer these things, decide what skills you must add as you prepare for your career change.

2. Determine Your Goals

Get to know yourself before you make any major alterations to your life. This may take some honest soul searching on your part. Write down your most important talents, the type of work you love to do the most and your passions in life. What professional life do you find the most rewarding and the most meaningful? Turn these aspects of your personality into goals for your career change. If you are in IT but you really love taking care of children, find out what it takes to become a teacher.

Think about any possible signs that it may be time for something different in your life. Perhaps your current career lacks any opportunity for advancement. Maybe you feel stuck in a rut. Most importantly, do you find yourself bored at work every day? Instead of dreading the thought of coming into the office 40 hours per week, use your boredom as a way to motivate yourself to discover a career you truly love.

3. Enhance Your Network

Learn to leverage LinkedIn as a way to create your next big opportunity. Search for influencers and people in your chosen profession as soon as you decide you want a career change. Share articles, reach out to people who have the type of job you want and start posting your own thoughts on the industry in which you want to participate. If you want to own your own dog grooming business, get to know business owners who have this type of business. People love helping others, so it makes sense that you can talk to people about what you want to do and then start asking them questions.

These three factors can help get your career change off to a good start. Make sure you examine every aspect of switching professions. Taking the plunge is a huge milestone that shouldn't be taken lightly.


Photo courtesy of COD Newsroom at Flickr.com
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  • MARILYN D.
    MARILYN D. •

    Thanks Nancy, i will take your advice and see what happens. I'll be sure to keep you posted. Have a Blessed Day. Marilyn

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson •

    @Rob thanks for the comment. People try to tell me that you can't hand carry a resume anymore but I have seen it work and I am glad that it works for you, too. Great that a friend spotted some mistakes and you could get it corrected. It's always good to have someone else proof your resume - if you can. In lieu of that, read it out loud. Just hearing it helps you find mistakes, too. All the best.

  • Rob A.
    Rob A. •

    Nancy that is great advice. I always hand my resume in .. Recently I had someone else look it over and found a few mistakes

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson •

    @Marilyn thanks for your comment. It's tough to try to break into a new company after many years at one but it's not impossible. Are you creating a resume for each position for which you are applying? Customizing it to fit the keywords within the posting? Are you qualified for the positions? Do you think it's your resume that is keeping you out? If so, you might want to try getting assistance on that first. Many colleges offer alumni career services such as resume writing, interviewing skills and so on. Maybe you just need to have a second pair of eyes reviewing your resume. If you are staying in the same industry, have you considered finding someone that you know in the company where you want employment and see if they won't champion you? I know I will probably get blasted for saying this but it still is done today where an employee where hand carry a resume either to HR or directly to the hiring manager. Don't discount the practice - remember, it's not always what you know but who you know. Use these work relationships to your advantage. It is tough to break in. Try some of these tips and see if it helps. All the best.

  • MARILYN D.
    MARILYN D. •

    That was great advice. However, I'm seeking a job change after 11 years at the same company I find it extremely difficult to obtain employment elsewhere. The job market is so competitive now. I have an outstanding skill set yet my resume keep hitting a brick wall. What do I need to do different?

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