How to Decide Whether You Should Make a Career Change?

This is particular true for blue and white collar workers, who, for various reasons, may find it hard to envisage. There are probably many financial and personal factors to be considered: Housing loans, children's education fees, medical fees, elderly families to be taken care off, and a whole host of other reasons, may prevent an employee from ever venturing into another career.

For the adventurous few, a career change may be inevitable. If, and when, a better job prospect arrives at your doorstep, be it through head hunting or self-initiated search, how does one decide whether to seek greener pastures?

1. Financial Gains

Obviously, one of the chief reasons for "jumping ship" may have something to do with the paycheck. An increment in pay is the best incentive to entice even the most loyal worker. An increase of a thousand dollars in monthly salary would make any sensible loyal employee jump the ship.

However, to job-hop from one job to another on the basis of pay increments may be a tad too short-sighted, especially for those who tend to have short time spans working for their respective employers. This may reflect badly on their resumes.

2. Career Prospects

Another enticing factor may be the possibility of career prospects. Being in a company for a long duration of time without being promoted, may mean that the employee either does not possess the necessary requisite to stand for promotion, or that he has already maxed out his promotional opportunities.

Another good indication for a worker with regards to his capabilities would be if the headhunting factor: If a person is headhunted to work in a better position with higher pay, then the enticement will be almost picture-perfect.

3. Relocation

Although uncommon, it is not unheard of for employees to change jobs, due to the fact that the employee and his family may be relocating his residential address to another location, which may inconvenience the employee due to transportation problems. Many companies have taken this point into serious consider and often offer a good package for the employee immediate family members. Do check with your human resource department when such opportunity a raise. You would want to know what you would be getting before saying 'yes'.

4. Changing of Job Environment

The employee may be feeling frustrated, jaded and vexed with his current profession. This may be due to the fact that he or she has been in a particular line of work for many years, and wishes to switch to another career path to re-ignite his or her spirits.

While the idea of switching to another entirely different line of work isn't really a novelty, chances are, that older, highly skilled workers may find it more difficult to do so, especially when they have extremely financial responsibilities, such as financing children's education or family members' medical bills.

For the younger workers, ambition may be the driving force behind their decisions to change their job environments. A technician, may, for example, decide that the filth and noise in a workshop does not really interest him, and swaps his spanner for a desk bound job in the insurance industry. You might want to take into consideration on whether you are a indoor or a outdoor person.

Making a Career Change: Not for the Faint-Hearted

Regardless of the reasons one might have to consider, changing a new job in pursuit of greener pastures are not to be made at a moment's whim, or simply the lure of good money. In short, one must take into consideration all the above-mentioned factors.

A career change requires not only a certain level of rational thinking, a strong dose of courage may be necessary, especially for those with heavy financial commitments.

Keep in mind, too, that, frequent job-hopping episodes will reflect badly on your CV, and that you may not be getting enough experience in one job to give you the necessary requisites to switch to better, highly paid jobs.

In other words, weigh your options, and make a rational, sensible choice, so that you will not be short-changed in the highly competitive job market.