Resume Help Blog

There was a time back when my father was a young man that people didn’t often change jobs, much less careers. If you had a steady job you hung on regardless if you liked the job or not. In fact one of my memories when I was about the fifth or sixth grade was a Sunday School teacher telling me that he could hardly wait till he turned 65 when he planned to walk into his bosses office and quit that day.

A lot of us have dreamed of quitting our boring jobs and doing something else but few of us act on the dream. However if you are the adventurous sort and are planning to change jobs or careers, here are some ideas to keep in mind so you don’t make any serious errors. Just one side note though – I remember some sage advice that my father gave me when I got my first job. He said, “Son, don’t ever burn your bridges, you never know when you might have to travel that road again”. 

1. If You Are Changing Careers Because You Hate Your Job. Take time to analyze what you dislike about the job. What exactly do you not like? The job, your boss, the people around you? Are bored and have that “hate to get up in the morning” feeling? Or do you want to do something entirely different with your life?
2. Don’t Make A Career Change Based Entirely On The Money Or Benefits. Remember money isn’t everything. I knew someone who left a good paying job with excellent benefits/pay to take a job with a large firm on the East coast (New York to be exact), only to realize that once there the hours were more, the climate was much different, all her friends were in California, etc., etc., The pay was much more but a lot of negatives went with it. So think things through before leaping.
3. Don’t Make A Career Change Without A Plan. If you are planning a total career change things are hard without a plan. Just being impulsive because an “opportunity came up” could be the worse decision you make. Do some homework on the career, or company, talk to some people, etc. Formulate a plan for what position you want and what steps you’ve got to take (even if it means starting at the bottom rung at a new company).
4. Don’t Consider A Career Change Without Examining All The Possibilities. Check everything, twice, even three or four times. Take your time and look at things from several angles. For instance, if you are going to go back to school then visit more than one school and pick the one that will open the most doors for you. Believe it or not there are BIG differences between one college – or certificate program – and another.
5. Don’t Change Careers Because Of Family Pressure. Family, friends, even spouses, don’t have to live with this job, you do. So be sure that this is something that you personally want and can live with, otherwise there can be resentment that can have far reaching effects.
6. Don’t Make A Career Change Without Networking. If you have decided on the career move you want to make start looking for a mentor. Someone who can introduce you to others in this field. Often within careers there are organizations for people in that field. For instance there’s an organization for people that have careers in training, careers in HR, etc. These are great opportunities to network and also to find out more about the field straight from the people that are currently in it.
7. Don’t Make A Career Change Without The Necessary Experience Or Education. If this is a total switch you must find a way to bridge where you have been to where you want to be. Some experience or skills will adapt to any field, others will not. If you need education then get it before making any move. Research whether you need additional certifications, training or education. Then get those chess pieces in place before you make the change or start looking. Also, sometimes you can get the help you need just by volunteering someplace to gain experience. This is most true in medical. Social services and educational fields.
8. Don’t Make A Career Change Because You Know Someone Who Did And Was Successful. There is nothing wrong with considering the particular field a friend is in, but be totally honest with yourself, and I mean totally. Research the field and talk to people other than your friends to see what it’s all about. Friends make great “salespeople” on their own careers, but often times they really aren’t the experts on what’s best for your life.
9. Don’t Make A Career Change Without Total Self-Inspection, Likes And Dislikes. Be totally honest as to your likes and dislikes, your skills and abilities, education etc. Don’t decide to become a school teacher if you hate kids. Don’t become a salesperson if you are afraid of speaking to others. Make a list of your strengths and weaknesses etc. as it relates to the proposed new career. If you make a career move and discover that you made an error don’t be afraid to take a step back and see how it is possible to repair the damage.

About the author: Dewey Kearney worked for 20 years in an aerospace company and was one of those misfits who hated going to work every morning. How sad! At the age of 40 he decided to work for himself and began learning how to repair commercial vinyl and do upholstery. He eventually left the aerospace business and opened his own company, retiring in 2001. He now co-owns this site plus two others helping people who want something better out of life.