Time For A Change? - part 2

Is a revolution the solution?

Let's suppose that you've done all this, but you're still not satisfied. The next step is to determine exactly what you want to get out of your new situation. Is it a whole new career you want, or is it just this job in this company that's the problem? Is there a specific salary you need, or a location, or a new work schedule? Spend some time examining your feelings about these issues. You definitely don't want to jump into a new job only to find that you're not any better off than you were before.

If a whole new direction is what you want, there are many ways to approach the change. If you know exactly what you want to do, that's great; but it's possible to know you want a change but not know exactly what you want to change to. In that case, you have some research to do. It's important to spend some time exploring who you are and exactly what you want. You could start by using any of the methods described in Chapter One or Two.

Finding the answer

Try using one of the many books that have aptitude and preference tests you can take to see what would be a good career direction for you. The Internet also has a number of sites that have questionnaires and self-tests. Ask yourself what it is about your current job that you don't like, and what parts of it are appealing to you. Do you like working alone, or with people? Are you creative? Do you even want to work in the same field, or do you want a complete change of direction?

There are professional career counselors that can help you in making this assessment of yourself and your options. It can be worth the money to get some help if you don't think you're doing a deep enough job of self-examination on your own. This is such a significant decision that it's really crucial to know exactly what kind of a change you want.

Making a move

Once you're sure about a direction, or if you always knew what field you wanted to be in, the next question to look at is whether or not the time is right. Do some research on the job market; what's available right now? Are the salaries in the ballpark for what you need? Is it a tight market, or are a lot of organizations making changes? Some industries function on a seasonal basis, and there are times that are better suited than others for putting in an application.

Summary

Following these steps can give you a handle on whether the time is right to make the change. If you've exhausted the possibilities at your current job, you have a clear idea of what you what, and there's a market in that area for your skills, then you are in a good position to begin looking for a position that's more suited to your needs and abilities.

Return to Home Page or Read part 1