5 Smart Steps to Making a Career Change

Career experts say the average person will change careers 5-7 times or more their lifetime. That means you, yes you may now be a nurse and decide to go into teaching tomorrow, or have a background in sales and suddenly get into computers. You could also be gainfully employed one day and choose to start your own business the next. If you are like most, you will cycle into and out of many kinds of organizations and positions and even back round again.

Before deciding to do anything like quitting your day job or signing up for college courses, you need to go through a smart decision-making process. Learning what it takes to make a career change is an essential success skill in the 21st century. In fact, with the right mindset, changing careers can be a fun and fulfilling process---if you know what to do.

Here are 5 Smart Steps to get you headed in the right direction.
1. Know yourself
Do some soul searching and uncover your likes, dislikes, strengths, weaknesses, values, skills, interests, etc.
Action step: Take a personality assessment and talk it over with a career coach. This is essential, because you have to know yourself in order to make smart career (or any life decisions).

2. Research the World of Work
Find out what careers exist in the world of work today and the skills needed to gain access, pay attention to upcoming careers or create something brand new….is there a niche only you could fill?
Action step: Interview someone who is in your targeted career field and get the inside scoop. Better yet, volunteer your time and see what it is really like. This is important because your perception of a position could be radically different from actual reality.

3. Compare Yourself with Possible Careers
See if who you are, what stage of life you are in, and what you want from a career matches with the demands, qualifications, and the requirements of the position. Are there gaps and if so, are you willing to bridge the divide?
Action step: Write a pro and con list of each position. Use your intuition to see how great you feel about each one.

4. Make a Decision
Analyze how you make important decisions and consciously choose which next career you want to pursue, knowing that it is not a lifetime commitment. Rest easy and just move forward with what feels right in this moment. Narrow done your list. If you don’t feel great, it is not the position for you right now. Remember the right position will fit you like a favorite outfit---just right.
Action step: Commit to a course of action and go for it. Remember, you are a smart decision maker, just trust yourself.

5. Prepare for Your Career
Realize that you are now ready to take the next step in changing your career by gaining additional education, writing a tailor made resume, and networking your way into the ideal position.
Action steps: Update your resume, gain knowledge and experience, and start prospecting for leads. Remember this is where your awareness and commitment is combined with lots of action. Don’t stop until you have landed your dream job!

If after going through this process on your own, you still need support, call a career coach so they can help you make the best decision possible. The not-so-good news is that you will change career directions many times in a lifetime. The great news is that once you learn how to make smart career decisions, you will find it a lot easier the next time around.