Removing Fear From a Career Change

Joe Weinlick
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It's only human to fear a career change that can alter your life. Although making a career change can be scary, it does not have to be as daunting to make that final choice. Consider some of the ways that you can make changing your career a less stressful experience.

Ponder Your Decision Carefully

If you want to remove fear from making a career change, it is important to carefully ponder your decision. Making a hasty decision to alter your career path now can lead to future unhappiness. What are the main reasons for wanting to change your career path? Will making a career change restore your passion for working?

Examine Your Current Workplace

If you want to make a career change, you may be more comfortable with doing so if you can still work with the same company. Consult your human resources office to discuss the possibility of a position change, and find out if there are any jobs available in another department that suit you well. If you can remain employed with the same company, it can make you feel calmer about your decision and slice the amount of time and effort it takes to rise within the ranks.

Secure a New Job First

Making a career change can prove less stressful if you know that you have job security. Finding a new position before making the jump can remove fears of unemployment. Not only will securing your next gig remove some of your fears, but you don't have to worry about struggling in between jobs while waiting for the right career opportunity.

Seek Higher Learning

Making a big career change without having the skills or education to make the leap can raise your anxiety level and create difficulties with the transition. However, taking training classes is a great way to hone your skills and expand your knowledge enough to make a new career change possible. Consider obtaining a degree or professional certification in your desired industry as well to prepare yourself and qualify for jobs in another field.

Seek Professional Advice

Sometimes, it can be more difficult to gauge your current situation without receiving advice from a professional or trusted person of influence. If you are considering a career change, talking to a career counselor about your decision can alleviate your fears. Discuss your fears with a mentor to gain confidence, and he can help you decide if and when a career change would be best for you. In addition, a mentor can help you expand your network to make a career change easier.

Many people stay in the same job and secretly wonder if the right career opportunity will ever become available. By stepping forward and making a career change, you can truly change the quality of your life. Once you decide the decision is right for you, do not look back.

Photo Courtesy of tigger11th at FreeDigitalPhotos.net


 

 
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  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson •

    @Kimberly thanks for your comment. Face-to-face applications are few and far between for sure. But that doesn't mean that you can't use other means at your disposal. How about your social network? Do you know anyone who already works in the industry of interest? If so, contact them and get your resume into the company that way. Or check around on places like LinkedIn and find others who are in that industry. See if you can contact any of them and maybe even ask for an informational interview just to make sure that the career change is going to be for you. It's easy to say I want to be a lawyer because it all looks exciting on TV shows. But, in reality, you are terrified of public speaking. Being a lawyer probably wouldn't be a good idea. So it pays to take the time to do your due diligence. Research the new industry. Ask around as much as you can so that you will know that the change is for you. Hope this helps.

  • Kimberly B.
    Kimberly B. •

    I second your comment, but the problem is HOW to get into another industry. With everyone going to on-line applications, are face-to-face applications out there anymore?

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson •

    @Sharon thanks for your comment. Anytime you make a career change, you should be prepared to start at the bottom and work your way up and that includes starting with compensation that is less than your current. However, if you truly want to get into a new field, it might be worth it and you might be able to increase your compensation, in time, to reach what you are currently making. When changing careers, you can't expect to walk in the door as the newby with no experience and draw the same compensation you were drawing after 20 years experience in another field. For example, I am making less than 1/2 of what I used to make but I wanted to change careers and was willing to take that cut in order to learn and grow in a new field. So, if the career change is to work in your dream industry, go for it and don't look back. Best of luck.

  • Sharon J.
    Sharon J. •

    career changes are discouraging when you find that compensation is less than what you used to make and you have worked in the field for 20 years.

  • Nancy Anderson
    Nancy Anderson •

    @Benita thanks for your comment. It is true that a career change can be scary but exhilarating at the same time. To learn something new; to do something different is always exciting and a challenge. Don't be afraid of the change; embrace it. Life is all about change. We wish you all the best.

  • Benita Ballagan
    Benita Ballagan •

    A career change is scary when there is ample jobs ,or when the job pays minimal'

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