You’ve been toying with the idea of making a career change or even starting
your own business. Perhaps it’s because right now you feel stuck in a career
rut so deep that you need a ladder to see over the top. You believed for years
that the career path you were taking was the one that would lead to financial
success and personal fulfillment and, sadly, it’s just not working out that
way. Or maybe you feel the career you’re pursuing is irrelevant, you believe
you’ve gone as far with your career as you can, or you are just plain bored by
what you’re doing for a living.
Whatever the reason, you need a change, but you’re not sure where to start or
what to consider before undertaking a major life change. Not to worry, we’ve
lined up the vital questions you need to ask yourself (or others in some cases)
before you jump into the next big thing.
What Do You Want to Do?
This may seem like a simple question, but if you’re mired in the career blues,
the answer may not seem so obvious. You can certainly think about what you’d
like to do and how you can attain the career satisfaction you’re missing now.
But it might be worth the time and money to talk to a career counselor or
business coach. A competent counselor or coach can help you focus your thinking
on what you want to do next and provide you with valuable tips about how to
make your change or start your own business. You can also research new careers
and the training you would need by seeking out professional associations on the
Web.
Do You Need More Education before Making a Change?
While it’s quite possible you have the educational background necessary to make
a career change, it’s likely you will need some additional education or
training before making a significant change. This could be as involved as going
back to college for an advanced degree or a new degree, or it might simply mean
attending continuing education classes for necessary certifications. If you’re
starting your own business, consider what knowledge and skills you’ll need to
take care of basic business needs (accounting, marketing, computer skills), and
think about what aspects of a new business you can hire a professional to
handle.
What Are Your Skills?
Use this as a productive opportunity to list your skills—something many of us
don’t do very often. Don’t limit yourself to business or professional skills;
there may be skills you have at home or hobbies you pursue that could help you
make the career change or business startup you’re contemplating. This exercise
will come in handy if you consult a career counselor.
How Do Your Skills Contribute to a Career Change?
This question incorporates several different considerations: Which of your
skills can be used in a different career? Which of these skills would you need
for the new career you’re contemplating? And if you don’t have the skills you
need, what do you need to do to acquire them?
What Are the Costs and Benefits of Changing Jobs or Staying Put?
Consider what is making you dissatisfied in your current situation. Are the
negatives you’re feeling based on the particular company you’re working for or
is it a deeper dissatisfaction with your career? Although money should not be
the only factor involved in making a career change, think about what it will
cost you to make a change as opposed to staying where you are. Would a change
mean a reduction in pay, and can you deal with that? If you start a new
business, it may take up to 2 years to be profitable. If the benefits of the
change outweigh the costs, then maybe the change is the right thing for you.
How Do You Cope with Major Changes in Your Life?
Change is one of the most difficult things anyone faces in life, and there are
few changes more significant than a career change. Think about how you faced
major changes in the past and what stress they caused you. Also, look back at
the decisions you’ve made in your life and whether they turned out well or not.
If you made poor decisions in the past, can you make this decision more
effectively?
Is Your Network Up-to-Date?
Rely on your network of friends and colleagues to help you make a career change
or start a new business. Don’t feel you have to go it on your own. If you feel
you need to update your network for the change you’re contemplating, check out
local associations or organizations to see if attending their meetings will
help build the network you’ll need to make your change.
Do You Have a Mentor?
A mentor is not the same thing as a career counselor. Someone who is working in
the career you’re thinking of changing to can be very helpful in getting you
through the rough patches in a new career. This person does not have to be a
CEO or even a major manager. A good mentor simply is someone who is successful
and satisfied in his or her career or self-owned business and can be helpful to
you as you make your change.
Are You Envious of Others’ Success?
Do you find yourself looking at friends’ or colleagues’ success in a specific
career or their own business and wondering if you could do the same? While
there’s nothing wrong with this kind of thinking while contemplating a career
change, it should not be a major factor in your decision. What works for others
may not work for you. Analyze what you want to do and what you’re good at;
don’t just jump to a new career because your next door neighbor is doing well
at it.
How Good Are Your Job-Hunting Skills?
If it’s been a few years since you were looking for a job, the answer to this
question of your job-hunting skills is probably that they’re not very good or
at least a bit dusty. You may need to go back to the drawing board in creating
a resume and cover letter. You may have no familiarity with online job
searching resources. You may be rusty in negotiating a new salary. None of
these things should dissuade you from making a career change, but you need to
realize you will have to hone your job-hunting skills to successfully make the
change you’re contemplating.
RELATED ARTICLES
How to Work a Room: Networking for Small
Business
Entrepreneur
Boot Camp: Do You Have What It Takes?
ALSO FROM THIS ISSUE OF SOCRATES NATION
Should You Incorporate? Business
Structures 101
Seasonal Slumps: How to Succeed When
You or Your Business Is in a Rut
Banishing the Winter Blahs: 10 Quick Tips
RELATED PRODUCTS
Find
& Get Your Dream Job
Start-Up
a Successful Business
Winning
Business Plans
