Career Change: Advice for Making the Right Job Move

Is it time for a career change? With the economy in shambles and unemployment still hovering at nearly 10% (over 17% real unemployment as of this writing), many people, both young and old, find themselves all but locked out of the careers they had developed and grown accustomed to. Many,however, have begun to question whether the career path they were on was really right for them anyway. Let's face it, we all work because we have to - to pay the bills, to own a home, a car, to create stability for ourselves and our children, to pay for vacations and educations, to put away for retirement. But how often do we find ourselves in jobs that really don't make us all that happy?

Whether you find yourself out of work and needing to find a new career path, or whether you're just ready to make a career change for personal reasons, now is the perfect time to figure out what sort of new career would truly fulfill you and make you happy, not just pay the bills. Life is too short to spend it miserable and trapped in the "40/40 plan" (40 hours a week for 40 years). If you're ready to take the plunge and make a major job change, take this career change advice and spend some time mulling over these four career change considerations to insure the best possible outcome:

Career change consideration #1: Evaluate what you truly enjoy doing.

Grab a pad and pen and start writing! Start with what you like to do when you're not working. What are your hobbies? Your outside interests? Do you find yourself working on cars? Building things? Collecting things? Cooking? Decorating? Do you love reading about or studying certain subjects, so much so you can't get enough? Do you like to write? Do you like active, outdoor activities or do you prefer indoor, more cerebral pursuits?

Now continue to brainstorm and write down every sort of work you can think of that relates to your personal interests. Could you start a business involving one of your passions? Could you go to work for a company involved in something that really lights your fire? Of course, do be reasonable - You may enjoy playing basketball with the guys on the weekends, but the NBA is likely not in the cards for you at this point. But could you invent, manufacture, market or sell something in the area of your passion? Or might you enjoy working for a company that does?

Keep writing until you begin to develop a vision. Chances are you've been thinking about something along the lines of the passion you find for years, you just hadn't allowed yourself to truly indulge your dream. Now is the time! Wouldn't those hours spent at work be so much less stressful and more enjoyable if you were working in a field that matters - to you?

Career change consideration #2: Determine your career goals.

Now think about your career goals. Do you want to own your own business? Work your way to the top in a company or in sales? Is money the highest priority or is career fulfillment a bigger consideration? Are you motivated by recognition? Advancement? The opportunity to lead or manage others? Are you the type that can't imagine yourself ever retiring, or would you like to retire early? And would you like a job that allowed you more free time, more time to spend with friends and family, perhaps traveling or getting involved with charities? Be aware that major career changes may also mean major lifestyle changes, and you'll have to get your loved ones on board. But take the time to work through the process and you will find the career change that meets your needs and allows you to build a life that you - and your family - will love.

Career change consideration #3: Explore your preferred work style.

Next, examine your personality and honestly evaluate how you like to work. For instance, do you enjoy working in a corporate setting, finding your place within a corporate heirarchy, or do you prefer a small, intimate work setting with only yourself or maybe a few others to report to? Do you enjoy managing and directing or taking direction yourself? Do you work well on your own or do you prefer that your work and output is defined for you? Ask yourself if you thrive on a fast paced work day or enjoy being able to lay back and let the creative juices flow. And do you like to be up front, interacting with clients or customers, or are you more of a behind the scenes sort of personality? Honest answers to these questions are critical as taking a job that tries to fit your "square peg" into a position's "round hole" can create daily anxiety that will leave you burnt out and miserable. Take the time to do some honest soul searching to make your new job searching productive and the outcome positive.

Career change consideration #4: Analyze your preferred work environment.

Finally, consider the environment you most enjoy working in. Do you like the feel of being in the huge office complex or corporate campus, or the hole in the wall office of your own? Do you like to have a lot of people around, perhaps to be part of a team, or do you prefer to work alone? Do you want to stay in your office or at your desk all day everyday, or do you yearn for the freedom to get out and visit sites or customers? Even more importantly, do you need the office environment to get things done, or can you make a success of your new career working in your jammies from home?

Indulge your dreams and explore your passions. Give yourself time to really brainstorm these and other career change considerations that come to mind. Then let it rest for some time and let your mind put the pieces together to create the vision for just the right career change that will allow you to truly enjoy the way you spend your days and make your money. You'll be glad you did.