When it seems like your career is stuck in a rut and you can
hardly find a reason to be excited to go to work each day, you may easily be
tempted to consider changing careers. There seems to be a greener pasture out
there, but is there really? Just because you are emotionally ready to switch
careers doesn’t mean it is the right time to do the big change. You must take
the time to evaluate the situation and assess yourself to know if you are truly
prepared to do something different.
Here are the questions you need to ask yourself before you
decide to change careers:
1. Why are you so eager to change careers?
Unless you clearly know and understand your own reason for
leaving your current career, you may find yourself jumping out of the frying
pan and straight into the fire. We all have different reasons for not wanting
to stay in our current career. What’s important at this point is the awareness
of your own reasons.
2. Is a career change the real solution?
It is often too easy to believe that it is your career that
you want to change, when the reality is that you’re just having issues with
your coworkers or your employer. Think about what it is that can make your
working life interesting and enjoyable. If you are not sure yet, you might as
well try another job or applying for a different position.
3. What are your capabilities and skills?
Working in a particular industry for many years doesn’t
necessarily qualify you for another career in a different industry. You need to
know what you capabilities and transferable skills are. Do you have the
necessary skills to be successful in the career you’re thinking of pursuing? If
not, how are you going to acquire or develop such skills?
4. Can you use your existing skills?
Changing careers means doing something that might be totally
different from what you are presently doing. Should you decide that you will be
better off in a new career, you need to assess your skills and decide which of
them are relevant and which are not. This awareness is important especially
when you’re about to create a resume. Your resume should convince potential
employers that they can benefit from the skills you have developed throughout
your career in a different field.
5. What are your values?
Finding satisfaction in your career comes not only from the
financial stability your career may offer. More importantly, your career must
be in line with your own beliefs and values. Otherwise, you will never find
fulfillment and happiness. Keep in mind that when choosing a career, you need to go for one that will make you happy
knowing that you’re doing something right and good in relation to your own
personal beliefs and values.
