Changing your career can either be the best decision you have ever made, or the worst.
It is this uncertainty that holds a lot of people back from moving on in their career, but with careful planning and research you can minimise the risk of leaving a job that you are not totally satisfied with for an even worse job.
Worst career change mistakes
1. Making a rash decision
Before changing occupations, you should do a deep dive to assess why you want to leave your current one. “You need to invest time to figure out why you’re dissatisfied and what’s going to make you more satisfied going forward,” says Deborah Oronzio, a career-transition coach.
Ask yourself why you’re unhappy—and answer honestly. You may simply be having a bad week or a bad month—or you may just hate your boss, not your industry.
“We all go through phases of unhappiness with our jobs,” says Randy Block, an executive coach and staffing consultant. “You should be running toward something, not running away from something.”
2. Choosing a new career based on salary
You obviously need to be financially strategic when choosing your next career, but don’t base your decision solely on earning potential.
"If you take a high-paying job that doesn’t match your interests, values, or strengths, you’re not going to be happy,” says Holly Genser. Would you be happy being paid more money to do a job you aren’t into? Maybe at first, but the novelty will likely wear off sooner than later.
It’s not that you should disregard salary when evaluating your options, but you must consider other important factors—like work-life balance and room for growth—in addition to compensation.
3. Reflection, research and plan
Taking on a new job or career without considering your own needs, wants and interests could result in you landing a job that you really hate. Spend time reflecting on what you really want from your career or job. Think about what is important to you both in your work and personal life, and consider what your interests are. Research different fields and industries, take into consideration all options available to you and then plan your career change properly.
4. Quitting without having another job lined up
Research shows it’s easier to get a job offer when you’re still employed, which makes sense since gaps on a resume might make a hiring manager think twice about calling you in for an interview.
Consequently, it’s in your best interest to stay at your current job until you have your next one set up.
5. Neglecting your networking
Even if everything you research about the field you’re interested in sounds promising, until you actually talk with people who work within that field, you really don’t know what you’re in for. As such, you should be growing and refreshing your professional contacts constantly.
One of the best ways to expand your circle is to go on informational interviews with people who currently work in the field you’re pursuing. During these meetings, be sure to ask meaningful questions (e.g., “Where do you see the industry going?” or “Which professional associations or trade publications do you recommend?”). Pro tip: Target people who work at companies you’d like to work for. Not only will you learn the nuts and bolts, you’ll also be more likely to hear about job openings and get internal referrals.
6. Going back to school prematurely
Depending on your new career choice, you may need to get another degree. Some fields have clear education requirements (e.g., obtaining a master’s degree and licensing to be a nurse practitioner), but others don’t require you to go back to school.
“A lot of people think, ‘I should get my MBA,’ or, ‘I should go to grad school,’ but they don’t always need to,” Block says.
You have to research whether getting another degree will, in fact, improve your job prospects or increase how much money you can make. (Networking is especially helpful in determining these answers.) If it won’t, you’d just be wasting money or taking a loan to get a degree you don’t need.
7. Not adjusting your resume for a career change
While it’s great that you have 15 years of experience in public relations, if you want to switch careers to human resources, your old resume won’t cut it.
Your resume needs to be tailored resume need to be tailored to the new industry you’re pursing. Check out some of the job descriptions in your desired field and note what skills and credentials are valued. Which of your skills are transferable ?
8. Burning bridges
I know many people who would have loved to have told their old bosses exactly what they thought of them when they left their old jobs, however this is completely the wrong thing to do. You may think that you will never see them again but we live in a small world. They might be called upon to provide references for you, or they may know people in the company that you want to work for and could possibly blow your chances of getting the job you want. In the worst possible scenario of all, if your new career doesn’t work out you may need to go back to them and ask for your old job back.
So if you are really determined to change careers, then make sure you don’t make a hasty decision. Do your research, reflect on what you really want and really plan your transition to avoid making a big career mistake
Do you not read it alone, please share it with friends and family.
Do you not read it alone, please share it with friends and family.
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