| As you move through life, your needs, goals, | | | | |
| and interests can change. If you've lost your | | | | Finding Inspiration |
| spark for your current career, you may decide | | | | |
| that it's time for a major change in | | | | Many successful career changers will tell you |
| occupation. While this can be a scary | | | | they took their passion and turned it into a |
| process, following these tips and guidelines | | | | career. A great book for putting your |
| can help you make a career change | | | | interests and dreams to work for you is |
| successfully and more easily. | | | | Wishcraft: How to Get What You Really Want by |
| | | | Barbara Sher. This book will show you |
| Review Your Current Career | | | | strategies for determining your interests and |
| | | | discovering your skills and strengths. It can |
| First off, you may want to decide if it's | | | | also help you develop a game plan to achieve |
| your career or your job that needs changing. | | | | concrete results. |
| If you find that your company or industry | | | | |
| holds promise, you may want to consider if | | | | Analyze Your Income and Savings |
| there is another position within the company | | | | |
| that would be more compatible with your job | | | | Making a career change can mean a change in |
| skills and interests. Don't be afraid to talk | | | | income, especially if you've decided that you |
| to your boss and to ask around in your | | | | need more education or training. Before |
| company about other available positions. | | | | moving forward, sit down and analyze the time |
| Employers have an investment in their | | | | and money needed to get a degree or |
| employees, and an employee that expresses the | | | | certificate in your new career. You need to |
| need for growth and more responsibility can | | | | decide if you'll be able to continue your |
| be considered an asset. | | | | current job while attending school to fully |
| | | | determine your monetary situation. |
| List Your Skills and Aptitudes | | | | |
| | | | Do Your Homework! |
| Take inventory of your strengths and | | | | |
| weaknesses before making a change. Your list | | | | The US Bureau of Labor Statistics is an |
| of attributes should consider not only what | | | | excellent way to learn about different |
| you think you do well, but also where you | | | | careers and the income potential, expected |
| have received your accolades in and outside | | | | growth, and training and educational |
| of work. Also, be honest with your list of | | | | requirements. Research your chosen field by |
| "needs to improve." | | | | going online, reading trade magazines and |
| | | | testimonials, and talking to those in and |
| Assess Your Interests | | | | around the profession. Volunteer or take a |
| | | | temporary job in your new field of interest. |
| You should also write down what you enjoy | | | | Doing so will allow you the opportunity to |
| doing in your spare time. Is there any way | | | | decide whether or not your new career is a |
| you can take a hobby and make a career out of | | | | viable one for you. |
| it? If you find this process difficult, you | | | | |
| can use career assessment tests online or at | | | | Take Your Time |
| a college or university. These tests analyze | | | | |
| your personality traits, skills, and | | | | Remember, be honest in your assessments and |
| interests. Some excellent assessment tests | | | | take time to research carefully. Career |
| include the Meyers-Briggs (personality | | | | changes are a big deal, and we want yours to |
| assessment), the Jackson Vocational Interest | | | | be successful. Time spent now in preparing |
| Survey (interests), and the Strength Finders | | | | for your new career will lend to your success |
| Profile (skills and aptitude). | | | | and enjoyment of it later. |