
Your No-Fear Guide to Changing Careers

CC image courtesy MrChrisJohnson
The ledge of a bungee-jump platform is no place for procrastination. Options for stalling the inevitable are slim.
Sure, you could try to engage lookers-on in a compelling conversation about the last episode of Breaking Bad. You could take your time tying your shoes or fixing your hair. But eventually, you have to make the choice: is today the day you conquer your fear of heights or not?
I think you know how this story ends. You take the leap. It feels incredible.
Unlike the fear of heights, the fear of changing careers leaves a bit more room for procrastination. People tolerate deep professional dissatisfaction for years because of fear-fear of the unknown, fear of rejection.
To take the leap, you need to bring yourself to the ledge of your career platform, courageously. No more excuses. No procrastination.
Our no-fear guide to changing careers can help you get there.
But first, one question: what really makes you unhappy or unsatisfied?
People often misplace a miserable work environment with a miserable career. Before you allow the fear of changing careers to infiltrate your headspace, re-evaluate what really needs to change.
Consider some alternative ways to address your stress:
-Take a trip. Remove yourself from the work environment and gain some perspective.
-Explore other departments in your company. A career transfer might be what you need.
-Think tough: do the skills you value most in yourself see the light of day in your current position?
Get to the crux of your dissatisfaction to determine your next move. If it’s the career, not the boss, read on for your no-fear guide to changing careers.
Cut the romantics. Investigate your desired field.
Being confident in your decision to change careers happens when you know what to expect from a position in your desired field, and how your skills will help you thrive.
So how do you get your hands on some of that career confidence? It takes deep, investigative research.
Here are some ways to get started:
-Interview people who work in your desired field. Dig into the processes, outcomes and values of the industry to put your predisposed expectations to the test.
-Attend networking events hosted by companies that interest you. Go prepared to ask lots of questions!
-Explore opportunities to volunteer, intern part-time, or take on a temporary position in the industry you want to transition into. Immersing yourself in a new arena will give you invaluable insights into its day-to-day operations and expectations.
Clear the romantic notions before you make the transition, and you’ll feel completely in control of your decision.
Get the support you need to make a change.
You’ve investigated your desired field and now the urgency to change careers is even stronger. Now’s the time to pick up the phone and seal the deal. Contact a recruiter and don’t look back.
As career expert Steve Preston says:
“People often fail at the final hurdle or can lose motivation along the way if working alone. Seeking professional career support will get you motivated, keep you on track, and increase your chances of success and also reduce the time it takes to make your change.”
The advice and resources you gain from a recruiter works to fast track your transition and minimize risk of failure.
Take it from Career Outcomes Matter LLC founder and president Melissa Llarena:
“It’s tough to clearly connect the dots between what you’ve done in one sector with what you envision being able to do in a new sector. This is where partnering with an objective expert pays off the most.”
Booking that first appointment with a recruiter is a courageous move all its own. Discover your brave self; it gets easier every step of the way.