Changing Careers? Here Are the Mistakes that Will Make You Fail
Sooner or later, you will seriously consider changing careers. Although a career change could be the best decision you will ever make for your career, you have to understand that it isn’t usually an easy transition. Thus, you’ve got to think deeper so that you can avoid these common career change mistakes:
Not having any plan
It’s too easy to decide that you’ve had enough of your current job, and that it’s time to switch to a career you’ve always wanted. However, not having a plan on how you will go about it could be the biggest mistake you’ll ever make. It is crucial that you come up with a detailed plan on how you will do it. Your plan should include backup plans, your finances, strategies, research, and so on.
Changing careers because you loathe your job
Just because you hate your job doesn’t make it reasonable for you to change careers. You have to analyze what is causing you to hate your present job. Is it your boss? Are you having troubles with your coworkers? Are you overworked? You need to assess what’s wrong with your current situation before you make a drastic decision to pursue a different career.
Chasing more money
It is never a good reason to switch careers just because the other one pays more. Keep in mind that there are more important things than money itself. In fact, even those with professions that pay a lot also tend to change careers because they feel that earning a lot of money isn’t what makes them happy.
Giving in to outside pressure
Keep in mind that whatever career you pursue dictates what you will be doing all day for many years. Thus, changing careers just because your parents, spouse or friends told you to is not a good reason. How can you expect to be happy doing something that another person chose or wanted for you? More than anyone else, it has to be you who wants to do something different.
Doing it alone
Once you’re sure you are ready to change careers, you should seek help from other people – mentor, network, other professionals, etc. You need someone who will help you penetrate another industry which you have never been in. Relying on your own skills alone is definitely not a good idea.
Not doing enough self-assessment
How sure are you that you are fit for the career you want to engage in? Being fit for a job or career is not only about having the right skills and qualifications for the job. You also have to consider if you have the right attitude and personality to succeed in it. Thus, it is important that you do ample self-evaluation before you start changing careers.