Changing Careers Out of Dead End Job

What should you do? If you are seriously thinking of changing careers — not just jobs or employers — what you should not do is jump at the first opportunity that comes your way.

One of the most common mistakes career-changers make, especially those who are being forced to make a change through some sort of corporate restructuring, is to grab hold of the first job offer that comes your way. I don’t mean to imply that it might be a bad offer, but why not take the time to see what other opportunities are out there, especially if you have a severance package? You need to evaluate whether you want to stay in your current career or make a switch to something different.

What are some of the other career-change mistakes to avoid?

1. Making a career change without a plan. A successful career change can often take months to accomplish when you have a strategy — and even longer without one.
2. Changing careers because you hate your job. Don’t make the mistake of confusing hating your current job (or employer) with hating your current career.
3. Making a career change based solely on money/benefits. Certain careers are more financially rewarding than others, but that doesn’t mean they are right for you.
4. Changing careers because of outside pressure. Don’t let your parents, family, or significant other influence your career choice; you need to live it, not them.
5. Attempting a career change without a new network and mentor. Making a career change alone is nearly impossible, so once you have identified a new career field start making new network contacts.
6. Changing careers without examining all the possibilities. Take the time to conduct research on numerous career fields so that you can find the best one to fit your current situation.
7. Making a career change without assessment of likes/dislikes. Self-assessment and self-reflection are critical to career change success.
8. Changing careers based on the success of others. Just because your best friend is doing well in a certain career does not mean that you will also do well.
9. Making a career change without necessary experience/education. One of the keys to successful career change is gaining experience in your new career field; and in some cases, further education or training may be necessary.
10. Changing careers without updating your job-search skills/techniques. If it’s been a while since you were in the job market, take the time to update and polish your job-hunting skills.

You can read more details about these 10 mistakes in this article published on Quintessential Careers: 10 Career Change Mistakes to Avoid.

And find lots of great resources and tools in the career change resources section of Quintessential Careers.