Look before you leap at changing careers

Megan Vaites worked in product information and design roles at the same company for 20 years. But a desire lingered to follow in her mother’s and grandmother’s footsteps and go into nursing.

She considered changing careers. But with a steady job and children at home, going back to school always seemed unimaginable, she says.

You may have identified your next career, but giving up the security of the current one will take energy, money and time. Before you quit your current gig, take these steps to be sure you’re making the right decision. IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM: Evaluate your current work life and why you want to switch careers.

“They might dislike their boss or that particular work environment, but a lot of times it’s not really the career specifically they need to change — it’s the dynamic in their current workplace,” said Juliet Murphy, chief executive officer of Juliet Career Development in Tustin, Calif.

Or it may indeed be the career itself. Make a list of what you dislike in your job. Disliking many things related to the fundamental function of your role may signal it’s time for a change.

RESEARCH THE CAREER YOU WANT: Start with the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook. It offers details on different jobs and median salaries, the projected outlook for opportunities, and education and training requirements.

TAP INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS: Find people in the sort of role you aspire to and ask to pick their brain about the job market and local outlook. LinkedIn is one resource, but also make connections through friends and family referrals, industry conferences, alumni groups, local professional groups or meetups and business journals.

Ask questions that test your assumptions about your desired career, such as what the day-to-day duties are and how the majority of time is spent.

ADDRESS GAPS IN YOUR SKILLS: Evaluate your skills, on your own or by consulting a certified career counselor, to see which are transferable to your new career and what you need to improve upon. You may have to take a certificate program or enroll in online courses, or go back to school altogether if your desired new career requires a different college degree.

To fill gaps in specific skills, take on additional responsibilities at your job or consider volunteering. REFRAME YOUR RESUME: A job posting in your desired field will list the skills and responsibilities required; use them to tailor your resume. Include only those achievements and strengths that relate to the new career.