Career Change Advice - 5 Things To Consider Before Changing Careers

So you are considering a career change and you want career change advice. Good for you. It is important that you gain satisfaction and fulfillment from your job or career. However, some people in your life may not see it that way. You may hear that you shouldn't be changing careers "at your age" and that "it's a job, you aren't supposed to like it." But both of these are very false. So thoroughly assess your situation to find a career that is right for you and combat those naysayers who want you to stay where you are. 1. Is your current job satisfying? This is the most basic question to ask and one that is often overlooked. Do you actually like your job? Do you have to drag yourself to the office or store or whatever each day? Do you dread returning to work after a day off? Keep a log of how you react to various job issues. Jot down various thoughts that you have about your job throughout the day -- those that are positive as well as negative. Don't just focus on the tasks; also think about the company culture, your co workers and other factors. For instance, do you work for a corporation but you are more idealistic in nature? 2. Assess your skills, interests and personal values. There are lots of free skills assessments and interest assessments that you can take on the internet. Think about things you have done in the past that you enjoyed including volunteer work, activities you did in college or school and jobs that you really liked. Take a hard look at your skills and values. Is your current career addressing them? There are some really good websites out there that can give you some solid career change advice and point you in the right direction. 3. Know the difference between changing jobs and changing careers. When you change jobs you are typically making a lateral move. A career change is usually not even on the same scale and often requires different or additional skills. When you are deciding on a move, take a moment to think about it. Are you making a lateral move? Or are you making a move into a job that challenges you more and asks more of you than your current job? 4. Do your homework. Select several career choices and read up on them. Read about the requirements as well as any additional education or skills that are needed. Changing careers is not something that you want to walk into blindly. 5. Talk to those who are already there. Talk to some professionals who are already in the career of your choice. They can be great sources to give you career change advice. Ask if you can shadow them for a few hours or a few days so that you can get a feel for what the career entails. Also, ask questions and learn about the education and skills that they needed to get to the place that they are.