Contemplating Career Changes

There is no doubt we are living in an economy that is more like a roller coaster than smooth sailing. If you find yourself in a position where you want to change jobs or careers or have to change jobs or careers here are some things to take into consideration.

Financial Conce
s
Do I have enough money to sustain myself (and family) to switch careers?

Benefits Packager
What is being offered if I change? insurances: health, life, retirement? Leave, personal time? How it will affect me?

Is there Travel involved?
Am I expected to travel? Local? Domestic? International? How long? How often?

Commuter
Is it reasonable? How far? How long will it take? Expense of the commute: gas, tolls…

Computer Skills

Am I current on my computer skills? If not, take an action step to get caught up.

Hours
What’s expected: 8 hour days, 10 hour days? If there’s overtime do I get compensated for it? Is there flexibility? Can I work from home?

Autonomy
Will I work independently? Report to someone?

Ability to take time off for aging parentsr
Is there flexible leave time?

Is your spouse retiring early and taking time off?
How will this affect your relationship if you’re starting at a new position?

Check the job market volatilityr
Research your field as thoroughly as possible. Try not to limit yourself in today’s marketplace. Try a broad approach and look at different fields.

Job shadowing and talking with people in the field are both helpful.
Things are not always how they appear to be…a job may seem interesting and fun from the outside and be very different on the inside. Also, does this company’s values and mission statement align with your personal values and mission statement?

Some assessment indicators (ex: personality diagnostic, knowing your strengths, knowing your Achilles Heel) can also help determine the type of job/work environment where you’d thrive.
Recognize that such indicators are only one piece of the puzzle, not the whole picture.

Explaining and demonstrating your skills: identify your audience and use appropriate terminology; show where you have made measurable results and tangible contributions in the past, and where you can with the company you’re interviewing with.

In a nutshell it’s a tight economy. Stay positive. Be persistent. Be aware of your self-talk, your internal dialogue. What you are saying to yourself is important. For more information on that and how to handle transition, visit : www.selftalkcoach.com.By Susan Commander Samakow, PCC, CPCC