These days, it’s not uncommon for working professionals to change their career. In fact, the average worker changes jobs 12 times during their life when searching for their dream career.
Whether it is due to being bored, burnt out or looking for a fresh perspective, changing jobs can be a challenge for any of us. Before jumping into a new field, it’s important to carefully consider the personal, professional, and financial risks that you’ll be taking.
Here are some of the most common mistakes that workers make when trying to change careers, and how you can avoid them.
Acting on Impulse
Just because you’re unhappy with your job doesn’t necessarily mean that you would be better off changing fields. There are a number of factors that can affect job satisfaction, including your coworkers, management, benefits, and even break periods.
If you’re dissatisfied for any of these reasons, switching careers won’t necessarily solve the problem. It may be easier to simply search for a job with a different company within your industry.
Undecided on career goals
Before putting in your two weeks’ notice, you should take some time to consider why you’re unhappy at your job. It may be helpful to talk with managers and fellow employees about the situation to find out if there’s an easy fix, such as more varied responsibilities or a slight pay raise.
If, however, you come to the conclusion that you want to change fields, make sure to go through the proper channels when quitting your current position. Aim to avoid any gaps in your resume as these are often a red flag for hiring managers.
You don’t want to burn any bridges in case you need professional endorsements or letters of recommendation later in your career.
Quitting prematurely
When you’re planning on ditching a less-than-perfect job, it might be tempting to throw in the towel and walk out the front door. If you don’t have another job lined up though, this can have disastrous consequences.
Not only will you be forced to live off savings, but you may have more trouble landing a new job than if you’d just stuck it out.
Employers prefer candidates who are still employed when applying for a position. It’s best to have a job ready and lined up before you put in your two weeks with your current company.
Changing your career can be an exciting milestone in your life, but it’s important to go about things carefully.
You should carefully think through your decision before quitting, and make sure that you have another position ready and waiting for you.
If you act carefully and conscientiously, you can make your venture into a new professional field a rousing success.
