Looking for a Career Change? Consider These 8 Key Factors before You Take the Leap

How many times at work have you just sat there blankly looking at your laptop screen, counting seconds for the day to end? There can be several reasons for a job change, like, boredom, negative employee experience, toxic work environment or just a dream bubble that has suddenly surfaced. Nowadays, almost everybody seeks to do what they have always desired to do. People often look and go for a change without giving it a second thought.

In fact, the median employee tenure, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, is just 4.3 years for men and 4 years for women. This stat further indicates that people change their jobs at least 12 times on an average in their lifetime. But, that does not mean that you will toss caution to the air and make haste without any planning. Before you go for that change, consider these significant factors that revolve around it:

1. Self-assessment:

Like any healer would say, just go within, assess yourself, and your urge to change your career path. Analyze what all things in your current job are not fulfilling your expectations, whether you lack somewhere, or if you have reached a stage of stagnancy where there is no more to learn or challenges to take up. At the same time, give a thought to how your ideal career would look like, what you value, and what would be the best career for you based on your interests and skills.

2.Current Job Satisfaction:

After you have achieved inner clarity, it is time for you to analyze your current job. Consider everything: your boss, colleagues, perks and benefits, salary, daily commute, work timings, environment, etc. Tally your satisfaction. Think about the initial days in the office versus the current scenario. Weigh out the advantages you are getting now and the advantages you will be getting after a career change.

3. Industry Research:

Now that you have made up your mind to go for a change, dive into some research. Take a look into the industry you are interested to work in. It is because not all industries thrive at all times. So make sure that the industry you choose to shift to is not going through a hard time. Look at the opportunities it is offering and monetary gains you can have from it: Is the situation on the other side better than the one you are in right now?

4. Skills in Need:

Also, take a look at the skills in demand in that particular industry and whether you are a good fit for it. If not, will you have to take any vocational course? Check out professionals’ profiles of that industry and their job responsibilities. Be sure of what have and what more you need to make that change before you resign.

5. Challenging Transitions:

The transition from your old career to a new one can be challenging. You may have to revisit school again, go through some coaching, do homework. And, even if you will get the privilege of freelancing or working from home, you are not getting the stipulated salary that you used to once. Depending on your situation, you may even have to live by your savings and put in the extra effort to learn, sit for exams and do projects. If you are game for such a hectic and life-changing transition period, go for it.

6. Consider Your Network:

Talk to your friends in the professional circle (not your office colleague). Check if you have anyone in your network who works in the same industry you want to move to. Ask them about the current job opportunities and future prospects that the industry holds. Approaching people from the same industry can help you gain a lot more information than you can ever find online.

7. Current Financial Situation:

Before going for a change, think whether you can afford the change. Analyze whether your savings or freelance work can support the vocational course or training you will be doing to go for that change. Think about in what way it may have a hit in other aspects of your life, like your monthly expenditures and whether you can balance out everything. The financial crisis becomes more challenging when you are the sole breadwinner in your family. Consider the alternative financial support system you can provide to your family during this time.

8. Mobility:

Not all industries are expansive and flourishing everywhere. And that’s why you may also be required       to move from one city to another, or from one country to another. Weigh out the possibilities of you moving out.         Research on the daily expenses and accommodation facilities in the new city or country you are planning to move       to.

It is never too late to make a change. But you have to be strategic and confident enough to go through the hard times of change. Make sure you plan well and also have a Plan B to support yourself.