Is It Time For A Career Change

Have you got to the stage that you can’t stand the thought of going to work for one more day?  If so, it might well be time to look for a new job.  If there is nothing you like about your present job, then it may well be time to consider a complete career change.  The thought of changing your career may worry you, but it might just be what you need.The reasons why people that may have worked in the same field for years and years, decide they want a career change are varied, but a few of the more common reasons are listed below:

*  You may have liked the job when you were single, but find it to time consuming and demanding now your personal circumstances have changed.

* You have reached the limit so far as promotion within the firm is concerned.

* You simply don’t like your job, as you may have gone into it originally due to parental or family  pressure.

* You are finding that the current and upcoming technology is making your position redundant.

* The position doesn’t pay enough to support your desired lifestyle.

When you begin to think about a career change, don’t rush into a new job just because you see there’s an opening.  Instead, take your time to decide what you want your next career to be in.  Think about  what you like, what particular skills you have, and also what kind of temperament you have.  It’s a good idea to do some self-assessment or take an assessment test.

You could already be sure of the field you want to work in, but if not, then do some research on the possibilities.  Make a list of career choices that appeal to you, then research each one more deeply – find out what the tasks of the job are, and what skills or training you may need.  By doing this you should be able to narrow your list as you obtain more information.

It’s also important to keep abreast of what is going on in the various fields of employment you are considering.  In the current economic climate, is this particular industy making cutbacks?  Or is it a growing field that just received federal funding?  Is the field going in a direction that equates with your own personal beliefs?  What is the pay range?

Now you need to work out what skills you have, and whether these skills will transfer to your new chosen career.  As an example if you are now employed as  a Financial Officer, you may find that your duties when working for a hospital may be almost the same as a Financial Officer’s duties when working for a car dealership.  If you are aiming to move right away and look for a totally new type of work, you need to find out what sort of training you will need.

Once you know where to look, there are plenty of resources available.  You could begin with your state’s department of labor, your library, and online.  If you decide to put some time into seeing a career counselor, this could be beneficial in guiding you through the process of changing your career.