Career Change is becoming an increasing popular subject given the economic times. With changes in industry, uncertainty about the future, and the global shift towards cheaper resources, people are looking to better their position by approaching industries they see as less volatile. The idea is not unique however needs to be given the proper planning and attention it deserves as the impact will ripple for years, well after the economic factors change to the positive.
I have seen and navigated job changes for people in the past. With this comes increasing difficulty well passed what most had expected in their original plan. Career change is something I see as being one of the more dramatic shifts in people’s lives. However when done in mass as I have heard recently, there is a more concerning trend. Passion and short/mid term economic changes are causing professionals to make rash changes beyond what we call normal. Career change can be small, or dramatic, however when made in light of non-logical information - no matter how small the change, it can be very wrong.
With all that being said, let us address the process of change. Follow the steps:
Evaluate your passion, what do you love to do. If you are not doing something you love, well - you should have changed a long time ago.
If you are doing something you enjoy, however not making enough money - lets look at how to make a better decision.
1. Understand your industry, do trend analysis over last 10 yrs to determine patterns
2. Look at your specific company, how are they comparing to the competition. If not well, look at moving to another company
3. If the industry is failing, look at your role in other industries. If positive, do the same job in another vertical
4. If your role is the issue, take a look at your skills and figure out what you are good at - look for transfer
5. When you find careers that can use your skills, make sure they would be something you enjoy
6. Evaluate the verticals and look at 10 yr analysis to look at trends, see patterns
7. Avoid similar patterns as current company, as that could be indicator
8. Find companies in those industries that have solid track records
9. Network in the companies you are looking at
10. Be HAPPY
Although the process is clean and short, we need to understand the reasoning behind. For most people, they need to realize changing their career is not the answer. Just because things go wrong does not mean the end of the world. No matter the industry, the market, the company - there will be ups and downs. Be prepared for them and handle them well. Stay the course if possible. Make educated and logical decisions avoiding emotional decision making whenever possible.
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