Quintessential Careers:
Career Change Do's and Don'ts
by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D.
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Here are the keys to successfully changing careers. Follow these career-change rules and you should achieve success in contemplating changing careers -- and in your career change.
- Do have a well-developed plan for making your career change.
And don’t rush into a career change until you have thought it out and developed
a strategy.
- Don't worry if you feel a bit insecure or unsure about
making a career change; these feelings are normal.
- Do expect to put in a great deal of time and effort in
making the switch from one career to another, but don’t
allow yourself to get discouraged at the pace or your progress…changing
careers takes time.
- Don't rush into a new career field because you
are dissatisfied or disillusioned with your current job, boss, company,
or career field.
- Do take the time to examine the activities that
you like and dislike, with more focus on your likes. And do focus on
new careers that center around your likes and passions.
(For assistance, do read Finding
Your Career Passion.)
- Do leverage some of your current skills and
experiences to your new career by taking advantage of your
transferable skills.
- Don't limit yourself to similar careers or jobs when making a
career change; look for careers that take advantage of both your skills
and your interests.
- Do consider the possibility that you will need to get
additional training or education to gain the skills you need to be
competitive in your new career field, but don’t jump headfirst into
an educational program…start slowly.
- Do take advantage of all your networking potential,
including using your current network of contacts, conducting informational
interviews with key employers in your new career field, and joining
professional organizations in your new career field. (And do
read more about career networking.)
- Don't forget to take advantage of the career and
alumni offices from your previous educational experiences as well
as your current school (if you are going back for additional
education or training).
- Do gain experience in your new career field, ideally
while you are still working in your current job. Volunteer or find a
part-time job in your new career field -- thus building experience,
confidence, and contacts in your new field.
- Don't go it alone; do find a mentor. Changing
careers is challenging, and you really need to have someone
who can help motivate you and keep you focused on your goal
when you get discouraged.
- Do brush up on
all aspects of job-hunting,
especially if you haven’t had a need to use those skills recently.
And do take advantage of all
career
change resources.
- Do take advantage of all the career change advice available in these
career change books.
- Above all else, do be flexible. You’re basically starting your career
anew, which means you may have to make concessions about job titles,
salary, relocation, etc.
Questions about some of the terminology used in this article? Get more information (definitions and links) on key college, career, and job-search terms by going to our Job-Seeker's Glossary of Job-Hunting Terms.
Dr. Randall S. Hansen is founder of Quintessential Careers,
one of the oldest and most comprehensive career development sites on the Web, as well CEO of
EmpoweringSites.com. He is also founder of
MyCollegeSuccessStory.com and
EnhanceMyVocabulary.com. He is publisher of
Quintessential Careers Press,
including the Quintessential Careers electronic newsletter,
QuintZine. Dr. Hansen is also a
published author, with several books, chapters in books, and hundreds of articles. He's often
quoted in the media and conducts empowering workshops around the country. Finally, Dr. Hansen is
also an educator, having taught at the college level for more than 15 years. Visit his
personal Website or
reach him by email at randall(at)quintcareers.com.
Have you seen all our career change resources?
Read all our job-hunting do's and don'ts.
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