The worst career change mistakes

Whether you’re suffering from burnout or boredom, avoid these common pitfalls before you change careers.

Consequently, it’s in your best interest to stay at your current job until you have your next one set up.

5. Neglecting your netbased on salary working

You obviously need to be Even if everything you financially strategic when research about the field Changing careers is never choosing your next career, you’re interested in sounds easy — but it is absolutely but don’t base your decision promising, until you actually possible. Just because you’re solely on earning potential. talk with people who work on a dedicated career path “If you take a high-paywithin that field, you really doesn’t mean you have to ing job that doesn’t match don’t know what you’re in stay on it forever: 59 per- your interests, values, or for. As such, you should be cent of working adults say strengths, you’re not going to growing and refreshing your they’re interested in takbe happy,” says Holly Genser. professional contacts con- ing the leap, according to a It’s not that you should stantly. recent survey from the Unidisregard salary when evalOne of the best ways to versity of Phoenix School of uating your options, but you expand your circle is to go Business. must consider other import- on informational interviews

Whether you’re bored at ant factors — like work-life bal- with people who currently work, burned out on a job, ance and room for growth — work in the field you’re puror simply want a fresh chal- in addition to compensation. suing. During these meetings, lenge, there are a number of 3. Not researching the job be sure to ask meaningful considerations that go into market in your next field questions (e.g., “Where do a successful career change. Not sure what field you you see the industry going?” Ignore them, and you’re apt want to go into? Research or “Which professional asso- to succumb to one of the folindustries and positions to ciations or trade publications lowing common mistakes. find a good match for your do you recommend?”). Pro 1. Making a rash decision skills a nd career goals, tip: Target people who work Before changing occupaGenser says. Otherwise, at companies you’d like to tions, you should do a deep you’re throwing darts in work for. Not only will you dive to assess why you want the dark. learn the nuts and bolts, to leave your current one. You can view job growth you’ll also be more likely “You need to invest time to projections using the Bureau to hear about job openings figure out why you’re disof Labor Statistics’ occupaand get internal referrals. satisfied and what’s going tional outlook handbook. 6. Going back to school to make you more satisfied Who knows, you might disprematurely going forward,” says Debo- cover a field with above-avDepending on your new rah Oronzio, a career-tranerage job growth that’s per- career choice, you may need sition coach. fect for your skill set, but to get another degree. Some

Ask yourself why you’re something you never confields have clear education unhappy — and answer honsidered doing. requirements (e.g., obtainestly. “We all go through 4. Quitting without having a master’s degree and phases of unhappiness with ing another job lined up licensing to be a nurse prac- our jobs,” says Randy Block, Research shows it’s easier titioner), but others don’t an executive coach and staff- to get a job offer when you’re require you to go back to ing consultant. “You should still employed, which makes school. be running toward some- sense since gaps on a résumé “A lot of people think, ‘I thing, not running away from might make a hiring man- should get my MBA,’ or, ‘I something.” ager think twice about callshould go to grad school,’

2. Choosing a new career ing you in for an interview. but they don’t always need

Daniel Bortz to,” Block says.

You have to research whether getting another degree will, in fact, improve your j ob prospects or increase how much money you can make. (Networking is especially helpful in determining these answers.)

7. Not adjusting your resume for a career change

While it’s great that you have 15 years of experience in public relations, if you want to switch careers to human resources, your old résumé won’t cut it.

Your résumé needs to be tailored to the new industry you’re pursing. Check out some of the job descriptions in your desired field and note what skills and credentials are valued. Which of your skills are transferable?

For career changers, a functional résumé is more likely to promote your qualifications than a chronological résumé . Put in the time and effort to update and polish your credentials, regardless of how many years you have in the workforce.