|
|
Interview Center
|
 |
 |
The 10 Worst Mistakes Career Changers Make
|
Changing careers is never easy. Half the world thinks you've lost your
mind, headhunters say you'll never work again and your mother-in-law
steps up the old, "I told you so" routine. But for many burned-out,
bored or multitalented folks who are sitting on skills they're not
getting a chance to use, changing fields is the only way to keep from
losing their marbles.
Regardless of your career change strategy, never make these 10 mistakes
1. Don't look for a job in another field without some intense introspection.
Nothing is worse than leaping before you look. Make sure you're not
escaping to a field that fits you just as poorly as your last. Check
out these self-assessment articles.
Get thorough information about the fields you're considering by
networking, reading and doing online research. Having informational
interviews with alumni from your college, colleagues, friends or family
is a fun way to get the scoop on different fields.
2. Don't look for "hot" fields unless they're a good fit for you.
You wouldn't try to squeeze into your skinny cousin's suit, so why
try a field because it works for him? People who are trying to help you
will come along and do the equivalent of whispering "plastics" in your
ear. Instead of jumping at their suggestions, take time to consider
your options. Decide what you really want to do. When you enter a field
just because it's hot, burnout isn't far behind.
3. Don't go into a field because your friend is doing well in it.
Get thorough information about the fields you're considering by
networking, reading and doing online research. Having informational
interviews with alumni from your college, colleagues, friends or family
is a fun way to get the scoop on different fields.
4. Don't stick to possibilities you already know about.
Stretch your perception of what might work for you. Read some job
profiles and explore career fields you learn about from self-assessment
exercises.
5. Don't let money be the deciding factor.
There's not enough money in the world to make you happy if your job
doesn't suit you. Workplace dissatisfaction and stress is the
number-one health problem for working adults. This is particularly true
for career changers, who often earn less until they get their sea legs
in a different field.
6. Don't keep your dissatisfaction to yourself or try to make the switch alone.
This is the time to talk to people (probably not your boss just
yet). Friends, family and colleagues need to know what's going on so
they can help you tap into those 90-plus percent of jobs that aren't
advertised until somebody has them all sewn up.
7. Don't go back to school to get retreaded unless you've done some test drives in the new field.
You're never too old for an internship, a volunteer experience or
trying your hand at a contract assignment in a new field. There are
lots of ways to get experience that won't cost you anything except your
time. A new degree may or may not make the world sit up and take
notice. Be very sure where you want to go before you put yourself
through the pain and debt of another degree program.
8. Be careful when using placement agencies or search firms.
Do some research to be sure to find a good match. Ask those who
work in the field you're trying to get into or other successful career
changers for suggestions. Try to find a firm that knows how to be
creative when placing career changers -- not one that solely focuses on
moving people up the ladder in the same field.
9. Don't go to a career counsellor or a career transitions agency expecting they can tell you which field to enter.
Career advisors are facilitators, and they'll follow your lead.
They can help ferret out your long-buried dreams and talents, but
you'll have to do the research and the decision making by yourself.
Anyone who promises to tell you what to do is dangerous.
10. Don't expect to switch overnight.
A thorough career change usually will take a minimum of six months
to pull off, and the time frequently stretches to a year or more.
Changing fields is one of the most invigorating things you can do. It's
like experiencing youth all over again, except with the wisdom of
whatever age you are now. |
|
 |
|
|
|
