How to Change Careers and Avoid Emotional Decision Making Mistakes

What makes a career change so difficult?

For most of us, probably the single biggest challenge in knowing how to change careers is addressing the emotions that are provoked when considering this kind of change.

Emotions can result from both external and internal triggers. External triggers that could stimulate a possible career change include:

Family needs that require a change in where you live or a change in income
A job loss
Approaching retirement
A company or industry downturn
Problems with a boss or coworker
A change in health status
A change in work content or expectations (work overload)
A company direction change that conflicts with your personal core values

Internal triggers that might motivate a career change include:

A change in your personal core values that now conflicts with the company ethics (e.g., you used to be OK with your company's business practices, but have had a recent change of heart)
Routine or boring work that lacks challenge, meaning, or purpose
Lack of opportunity for personal or professional growth
A desire to increase income beyond current career expectations
A desire to create better alignment with personal core values and/or beliefsThese triggers can lead to fear due to lack of knowledge; knowledge of oneself, knowledge of the environment, and knowledge of how to change careers effectively.

Breaking it down using a decision making process

An effective decision making process provides a framework for finding or creating the knowledge needed to make any change, especially one as important as a career change. How to change careers is not an isolated decision. It is part of a set of related decisions that connect in a way that creates the knowledge needed to choose a way forward.

Let's use the list of internal and external triggers above to expose some of the decisions that can be used to help in choosing a career.

Knowledge of oneself could include answers to the following questions:

Do I have a vision for my life?
What gives live meaning?
What are my strengths and talents? What are my weaknesses?
What fits with my personality?
What relationships do I value?Rephrasing these questions as choices would provide the following focusing decisions:

Choose my life vision
Choose my personal core values and beliefs
Choose my talents/strengths
Choose activities and environment that fit my personality
Choose my relationship prioritiesKnowledge of the environment might address the following questions:

What income do I need to meet the needs of my family?
What careers are available that I could consider?
What skills are needed to succeed in a career?
Where would I need to live pursue a career? Using a decision view would suggest these decision success factors for your next career (for each you would consider both your need and desire):

Income
Fits my skills / Aligns with my strengths
Training preparation, time and cost
Required travel / Daily commute time Knowledge of how to change careers effectively is addressed by using a reliable process for identifying and making each of the related decisions that will influence or guide your choice of careers.

Addressing the emotions as you focus on how to change careers

As you start down the path leading to a career change, you will continue to experience emotions that will bring up new questions and concerns. When using a decision-focused approach, each new question becomes an added decision to be made or provides a potential success factor as you progress toward your new career choice.

If you capture the questions and identify the corresponding decisions to be made or career change success factors, you can now use your emotions as a tool to motivate making the choices needed to progress toward a new career. Instead of being overwhelmed and afraid, this high value life choice is broken into smaller choices where emotions can provide the needed motivation to do some of the work.

Emotions now become a positive motivation for change instead of generating the overwhelming fear that leads to indecision. Here are some additional emotional pitfalls that are minimized when following this approach to how to change careers:


Choosing quickly without knowing why, and then creating rational explanations to justify a poor emotional decision
Creating mistakes due to distortions and bias in judgments, sometimes leading to unexpected and reckless action
Making errors that take place because we are subject to systemic inaccuracy about how we will feel in the future
Having tunnel vision with too few alternatives due to the desire to rush to judgment
Experiencing analysis paralysis with too many options that exceed our ability to keep track of them

It is possible to learn how to change careers effectively and with confidence

See how our four-step decision making process is used in changing careers at http://www.decision-making-solutions.com/how-to-change-careers.html.

Keith is Co-Founder of Decision Innovation, Inc.
Our company is focused on moving beyond collecting data and analyzing information to creating knowledge and providing insight. We will explore the decision making process and provide a unique combination of decision tools, decision and information management methods, and expertise that will give you the power over your personal and business decisions.

Visit us at http://www.decision-making-solutions.com/.

Career Change Mistakes - 7 Top Tips For Career Changers

If you are thinking of changing career, then watch out that you don't make these classic career change mistakes. The issues that prevent career change success often lie in what you fail to do rather than in doing things wrong.

1. Fail to invest in your career change

Making a career change is a big project that should not be undertaken lightly. Acknowledge from the outset that you will need to make a real investment of time, effort and possibly money to get what you want.

2. Fail to learn from your mistakes

You haven't got this far in life without getting things wrong a few times. That's OK - join the club! But what really matters is have you learned from your mistakes? If your career has gone off down the wrong track, what does that tell you that you should do differently next time?

3. Fail to research thoroughly

There's been a lot of talk of 'due diligence' in the news recently. Well, that applies to you and your career move too. If you leap into a new career area on a whim or because someone suggested it, you may well be disappointed. Do your homework first!

4. Fail to think outside the box

Are you feeling stuck in a rut? It can be quite hard to see over the edges of that rut (or box) if you are in a really deep one. But the walls of your box limit your thinking and stop you from seeing really new possibilities and directions for your career. Challenge yourself to explore some radically different ideas - they may not be as crazy as you think.

5. Fail to be bold

Following on from thinking outside the box, you need to be prepared to be bold with these new ideas, ready to take a risk. A faint heart never won a fair lady and careers are transformed when people take their courage in both hands and strike out for something that really inspires them.

6. Fail to take responsibility

At the end of the day, it is all down to you. You are the only one in charge of your life, so you need to take responsibility for making the changes you want. Too often career changers blame their lack of success on others or on their circumstances. Yes, things can get in your way, but the challenge then is how to find a way round the obstacles and not just be defeated by them.

7. Fail to take action

Well, I guess this one should really be number one on the list. Are you still moaning about your job and saying you really must make a change? Just talking won't get you anywhere, so what action are you prepared to take within the next 24 hours to get the show on the road?

And if you'd like an easy first step to take, then I invite you to take a look around the How To Change Careers website where you will find a host of ideas to get your career change moving. You can also download my free Career Change Blueprint http://www.how-to-change-careers.com/career-change-blueprint.html which gives you the 5 essential steps to career change success.

From Cherry Douglas - Your Career Change Guide

Career Change Mistakes to Avoid

It is such a shame when I hear of people trying to make a career change, but then their efforts run into the sand just because they don't know the key mistakes to avoid.

It is very easy when you are finding your current career a source of frustration, stress or disappointment, to rush into a career change. But changing careers is a major life decision that needs to be treated with respect. Many people spend more time planning a holiday than they do on their career change plans and they will have to live with their career for a lot longer!

So what are the main career change mistakes to avoid?

Resign in haste

An argument with the boss or with a colleague can drive you to jump ship without really thinking things through. It feels great in the moment, but leaves you high and dry once the moment of triumph has passed. Slow down. Put the framework of your new career in place before you abandon the old.

Start by re-writing your CV or resume

Yes, you'll certainly need to do this at some point, but it comes well down the list of priorities. You need to know what skills and qualities you will be 'selling' on your CV and who you are 'selling yourself' to before you begin to write.

Follow a friend's advice

Of course your friends will want to help and will readily offer suggestions and advice. But they are not you. The career that they love may sound great when they are enthusing about it, but that doesn't mean it is right for you. Only you can identify the work that will really satisfy you.

Think small

It is very tempting to stick with what you are familiar with, to feel that your next career has got to follow closely on what has gone before. That's the play safe option. Staying safe often means a lost opportunity to grow. So when you are researching your new career ideas, open your mind and allow yourself to consider possibilities you might initially reject.

Go it alone

You need support when you are considering a big change like this. Make sure that you share your ideas with a friend or partner who will encourage you and keep you going when your motivation begins to falter. That extra push from outside can make all the difference to whether you see the career change process through to a successful outcome.

Do nothing

Although I do not advocate rushing into changing career, doing nothing is much worse. Do you really want to look back on another year in a job you hate? You only get one shot at your life, so don't fritter it away!

The solution?

The main career change mistakes to avoid are those that come from lack of planning. So do take action, but slowly. Don't rush into anything. Start a planned campaign of review and reflection so that you will be sure that the career change you decide on is right for you and is based on sound information and research.

If you'd like to find out more about how to avoid those career change mistakes, take a look at the How To Change Careers website http://www.how-to-change-careers.com where you will find a step by step guide to help you through the process of career change.

And while you are there, grab a copy of my free Career Change Blueprint which explains the 5 essential steps to career change success as well as offering you 5 great bonuses. What are you waiting for? Start taking action now!

From Cherry Douglas, Your Career Change Guide

Career Coaching - Seven Mistakes to Avoid When Making a Big Career Change

Are you considering a big change in your career? Do you feel let down, bored, burned out? Maybe you think there is something bigger and more meaningful that you are meant to do. Perhaps your company downsized you into this predicament. Regardless of the reason, there are some common mistakes to avoid while you evaluate and select new career options. Avoid these pitfalls and you can stay motivated, keep your balance and move forward successfully.

Mistake #1 - Making Decisions in Haste

Tempted to just quit and wing it? Everyone is now and then, but unless you just can't stand your current situation another day, resist! Instead, write down everything you hate about your current situation, then one by one, look at the most intolerable issues and see how you can turn each around to make it more tolerable for the present moment.

It is easy to get so excited about the future that you decide to forge ahead without a plan and hope everything naturally falls your way after that. It will require more energy to sustain your new career and make it work well for you than it will to identify and start it. It is better to come from a place of higher energy and stability than to start out already burned out or worried about how you will pay the bills. Consider seeking the help of a qualified career coach, life coach or career counselor to help you identify your next career path. An objective, trained third party can help you strategize and phase it in for the best results and the least amount of heartache.

Mistake #2 - Ignoring the Finances

"I can't stand this any longer! I would rather eat dog food than put up with this another day!" Whether you are pursuing a new career voluntarily or involuntarily, you must pay the bills. Do pursue your dream. Do look for the career that brings out the best in you. If you have plenty of savings, good for you! Resist the temptation to go through it and be left without. If you have a dream, by all means hang on to it! But if it won't realistically get off the ground for three years, find another way to earn a living in the meantime. The need for income is a reality you cannot ignore.

Mistake #3 - Filling Your Head with Negative Stuff

What do you read? What do you view on television or the Internet? With whom do you spend free time? When you're looking at making big life and career changes, you need lots of positive energy around you. If you spend time with negative people or fill your mind with anything that isn't useful, guess what? It fills you with negative energy. Instead, surround yourself with people and things that give you positive energy and encouragement. Read books that motivate and encourage you. Go places that inspire you. Do everything you can to be what you want to be like after you land the next great career opportunity, and you will be more likely to attract it into your life!

Mistake #4 - Getting Bogged Down by Decisions

If you're an intelligent person who has enjoyed any measure of success, chances are there are a lot of different choices you could make in your next big life or career change. Clients often tell me they are overwhelmed by all of the thoughts and ideas that keep running through their minds. And as the overwhelm sets in, it is very easy to just shut down. As we work together, I remind clients when making tough decisions to ask themselves, "Is this going to move me forward?" If the answer is yes, proceed. If the answer is no, either revise the decision or drop it entirely.

Mistake #5 - Not Having a Plan

There are two reasons this is important. First, life is unpredictable and it is dangerous to relinquish security before the next career arrangement is lined up. Second, changing careers is a lot like dating. You are always more desirable when you are unavailable. You are more attractive to a prospective employer if you are already working. And if you have already lost your job either voluntarily or involuntarily, it is even more important to have a plan so that you are then more likely to achieve it. If you see success, you will be successful. (Conversely, if you don't have a plan, how will you know when you've succeeded?)

Mistake #6 - Ending your Preparation Too Soon

All I can say here is, prepare, prepare, prepare. If you're looking at several possibilities, don't immediately drop one when another looks good. Think about all of the big tests you have taken in life (college entrance exams, finals, certification exams) and how you prepared for those. Did you study way in advance and take a big, long break before taking the test? Or were you still reading the material as you walked in the door on test day, wondering if you could still be better prepared? When you're embarking on a new career or life change, give it all of your available energy, skills and attention. If you have a goal in mind, resist relaxing when you think you almost have it. Prepare and stay sharp right up until the day you start. This will help keep you from losing confidence at the last minute.

Mistake #7 - Getting Discouraged Too Easily

Does this happen to you when you face hurdles in the midst of your goal? Instead of giving in to the pain, pay attention to what specifically is making you uncomfortable and make adjustments to get you through. For example, if you're in career transition and you find that it is painful to go through the tedium of making phone calls, sending resumes, going on interviews where the competition is tough, etc., find the formula that gives you a break without stopping the process. Try devoting an hour or two each morning to these tasks and letting it go for the rest of the day, or only making a certain number of phone calls or interview appointments per week so that when you're finished, you can feel good about giving yourself some time off. Don't stop. Adjust.

Remember, a career change is a life change. You didn't arrive at your current level of education and experience overnight, and don't be disappointed if you don't immediately uncover "the thing" you want to do next. Allow yourself time and space to explore and make an educated decision. Get the help you need along the way (i.e., career coach, career counselor) to help you do it strategically, not emotionally. If you avoid these mistakes you are much more likely to end up in a new career that complements and fulfills your life.

Gwen Jewett is a Life and Career Coach and Selfgrowth.com Guide to Career Coaching, living in the Dallas area. After 14 years as Executive Director of a 12,000-member national healthcare association, she voluntarily left to pursue a more balanced life. Since 2001 she has helped many clients make their career and personal life stop working against each other and instead work in complement.

[http://www.coachgwen.com]

Decision mistakes to avoid when you change careers

One of the most important decisions in your life you will have to do apart from buying a home and getting married is choosing your career. Most people choose their career before graduating from high school or while they are attending college. If you stay with the same career is another story. Unlike our parents, who stayed with the same job until they retired, it is more than likely that people today will be one, if not more, career changes during their life time.

You may be at a point in your life that you need, or want, to make a career change. If this is you, make sure that use the process of career change decision-making essay to avoid huge errors before embarking on a new job. Here are some mistakes that can be avoided before making such a change of career.

Make sure you have a plan. Landing a great job often takes time. Do a self-assessment so you know what work would be good for you. Include a scheme in your plan that provides research, training, education, finance and time. You don't want to rush, taking the first job might get your right back into the same position as the work you're already in.

You love-hate relationship do your job?Is your job you hate or your career? Don't make the mistake of changing careers when you really hate your job, but I love your career. Sometimes a change in jobs in the same field is all that is needed to solve the problem. If you are sure that you want to change careers, start a plan before you quit your job.

is money a factor?If you are thinking about a career change because you can make more money in a different career, think again, you know the saying "money can't buy you happiness" well, this is very true. Careers just to make more money changing can leave in another job that I hate just as much as your old one.

Feeling the pressure.Are your friends and family trying to talk you into changing your career because they do not feel it is the right job for you? You know what you want in a career; changing careers for the wrong reason can lead to another career that you're not happy with the resentment and the.

Don't do it alone.If you found a career that you would like to pursue, don't go into it blindly. You should create contacts that you may capture information about your new career. These contacts can lead to job openings, associations in your field, or simply be a mentor, giving you tips, to help you get started in your new career.

Skills and education.Be sure to brush up on any new powers, which may be necessary to make a career change. Not knowing what you're doing can be a big mistake. Could cost you that new job you want.

Dr. David McDermott walked away from a career as a plastic surgeon, where he was helping people change outside. Now he teaches profound personal change from within, using the template to make your final decision, you're right! Learn more at www.decision-making-confidence.com/career-advice.html.

Changing Careers? Avoid These 5 Classic Mistakes

Most of the experts say that the average person can expect to change careers (not just jobs) 3 to 5 times in their working life. The reasons? Many people are burnt-out, underpaid, stressed out, bored, unsatisfied, or at a career dead end. For some, their careers have changed on them --thanks to corporate mergers, changes in technology, company restructuring, age discrimination, and a thousand other reasons.

After counseling thousands of people in finding new careers and jobs, we have found that there are 5 classic mistakes most career and job changers make:

MISTAKE 1: NO CLEAR GOAL.

Not having a clear goal is like trying to run a race when you do not know where the finish line is. Many career changers have only a partial goal. They KNOW that they want a job with less stress, or more money, or more of a future, or more independence, or more satisfaction. A career goal, however, should be comprehensive, specific, clear, and realistic. It should include not only the practicalities of your situation, but also who you are, the realities of the job market, and the potential pitfalls.

MISTAKE 2: NO CLEAR PICTURE OF YOUR STRENGTHS.

Most career changers (and job seekers) spend more time worrying about their weaknesses than their strengths. Most people don't even know what their strengths are. But it is your strengths--not your weaknesses--that determine your career success. Get a professional assessment. This should also include your personal characteristics, motivation, aptitudes, goals, values, interests, and talents. A career and job decision is too important not to have this picture.

MISTAKE 3: NO CAREFUL PLANNING.

Sure, most people think about it for a long time, but thinking is not the same thing as detailed planning. Most people plan a night out with friends more carefully than they plan their careers. Planning would mean researching the new career, talking to people who are in the new career, getting some hands-on experience, reading (books, trade journals, industry newsletters), developing strategies for any possible negatives or problems, consulting with a mentor, knowing what education or training you would need, and other actions.

MISTAKE 4: NO MOTIVATION.

As a psychologist who has worked with underachievers of all ages, I can tell you that many have good intentions but fail to take action. This is, of course, a normal human trait. There are times when all of us procrastinate, give ourselves excuses, and do not do the things that will lead us to our goals. If you are changing careers, however, you had better be motivated. Only consistent, daily, well-considered action will get you where you want to go.

MISTAKE 5: NO INDIVIDUALIZED JOB SEARCH STRATEGY.

If you are changing careers, you need something more than the usual job search tactics. You need a strategy that fits who you are as a unique individual and the fact that you are changing careers. For example, if you tell a job interviewer (or anyone else) that you are "changing careers," it is the kiss of death. You see, if you are changing careers, then you are starting over--from square one--and are competing with kids just out of school. Instead, you should say, "I am taking the next step in my career" (which, actually, is closer to the truth for most career changers). Another example: Make sure your résumé is rewritten so that it doesn't "lock you in" to the old career. Go light on the jargon. Emphasize skills in the old career that would be a real advantage (not just "transferable skills") in the new career.

If you avoid these classic mistakes, you are well on your way to making a successful job and career change.

Sander Marcus, Ph.D., is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Certified Professional Resume Writer in Chicago. He has over 3 decades of experience in providing career counseling, aptitude testing, job search coaching, and resume writing to tens of thousands of individuals, and has conducted pre-employment personnel evaluations for hundreds of companies. He is the co-author of 2 books on academic underachievement, various tests, and numerous articles. He can be contacted at marcus@iit.edu, 312-567-3358. http://www.center.iit.edu/careermotiv8.htm

Career Change Mistakes You Must Avoid

A career change, or even just changing jobs, is one of the biggest decisions any worker will face. Jumping too quickly into a new career or a new job can result in disappointment and failure so it is important to prepare well and be ready for the challenges that you may face as you begin this transition. Before you make that big jump, think through some common mistakes that people make when changing careers and do your best to avoid them to ensure your success in your career change.

Making a major career change simply because you hate your job. It's very difficult to be in a position of disliking your work, but a major career change needs to be based on mature decision making. You need to understand your real reasons for being unhappy in your work. Is it the specific job (the tasks you have to do each day), the work environment (your boss, your co-employees, the culture of the workplace) or is it the career path you have chosen (your corporate role, the skills) that you hate?
Making a career change based on money alone. Of course everyone wants to work in a lucrative job, a job that pays very well. However money is just an aspect of an ideal career and not all high-paying jobs can be rewarding. Money alone does not equate to happiness. Working in a field where you find fulfilment may not give you the same financial rewards, but it may make your work far more enjoyable. That decision comes down to your personal values.
Changing careers without self assessment. A career evaluation is very important for someone who's planning to make a major career change. First of all, assess your skills, interests and values. Identify the things that you want to do in the next few years. Don't forget to also identify the activities you hate doing. Make a list of your career achievements. By doing all of these, you can understand yourself better and discover the best career route to take.
Making a big career change without consulting a professional career counselor or career coach. Decisions are best made when each part of your thought process is scrutinized so you don't make decisions based on impressions, false notions or other misleading ideas. A qualified and experienced career counselor or career coach is trained to assist you through this transition period by providing professional guidance. He or she will help you evaluate your strengths and weaknesses and will help you develop skills and strategies which are necessary to succeed in your new career.

A change of career or seeking a new job is a major decision that can result in serious setbacks if you don't take time to prepare thoroughly. Avoiding these mistakes will not only result in a successful career change but will save you from stress and wasted time and resources. Free career change and job search advice is available on Career Clarity blog http://CareerClarity.com.au/blog

Jenni Proctor is a career consultant based in Brisbane Queensland Australia. Through her Career Counselling business http://CareerClarity.com.au she specializes in mature aged career change. Many clients recognised online business as being a portable business model that could develop into an income stream to enhance their retirement savings. In response, Jenni now offers internet business coaching as part of her services to her clients.

Planning career change-five biggest mistakes you don't want to do!

Many times when we make a mistake we can learn from misstep. Consequently, it is not long before we make the same mistake again. It's the same with our careers. We rely on the recommendation of friends and family. A well meaning teacher or a friend of the points in a particular direction.

They mean well, but before that we know that we're climbing up a ladder of progression of the work we have no interest in climbing. Do you want to change jobs or posts, but you want to do it well. To learn from the mistakes of others, here are some ideas on how not to work out a plan: career change

Do not take responsibility for your future: Don't depend on others to recognize your potential. Don't let your company or organization define your future. Is your future to plan how you're going to get where you want to be. Your career is too important to leave in the hands of others. Advice from others is fine, but always the temper with analysis and passions.

Not be practical: It's OK to dream, but if you're 40 years, next year we are not going to be the starting Middle linebacker with the Green Bay Packers. Be realistic career plans and take a step at a time. Build your success, and how one's self-esteem grows your overall plans can become more ambitious.

, Limiting your career reach and the range: As you analyze your interests and passions are not limited to work only one type of work or to work in an industry. Keep the ambitions of employment as possible, gaping from self-employment to work in another area. As you develop more career options, you have a greater chance of finding a career that is a good fit for your skills and interests.

From above the detailed career planning: A number of career plans fail due to lack of flexibility. More details in a career plan greater chance that does not respond adequately to changes in circumstances. And you can bet that there will be changes. Your search will eliminate some opportunities but will discover many more possibilities. Keep your career plan with measurable benchmarks, flexible. How to reach intermediate objectives, career planning should become more aggressive, but within achievable objectives.

Taking unnecessary risks: career Unnecessary risks are taking a job with inadequate research. Unnecessary risks are changing careers without interviewing a sufficient number of people who currently work in that career. Unnecessary risks are going to work for a company or organization without having a clear picture of their future. Unnecessary risks are becoming self employed or starting a business with an incomplete business plans.

Study and research appropriate your approach should be developing of career options, and then make an informed choice. Prevent you from doing any of these five career planning Errors and you will be well on your way to finding the right career with their employer.

John Groth is a former Executive coach and career HR. Find career planning Ideas , valuable articles and a free seven-day career planning guide. Discover up-to-date career strategies and our recruitment Employment Idea guide all to assist you in advancing and manage your career.

Career Change Mistakes You Don't Want To Make!

Career change is just around the corner for many of us. Although it may be a major decision, you have a number of important things to consider before you go after a new career.

If your current career seems to have reached a dead-end, or you are unhappy and no longer challenged maybe it's time for a career change. If you have something in mind it needs to be researched and evaluated before you make a move. Proper career changes can be a welcome addition to your life but a mistake in changing careers can leave you worse off than before.

Here are three career change mistakes you should not make.

1. Changing careers by jumping at the first idea that comes along is the first mistake many people make. If you are in a bad situation it's real easy to grasp at the first thing that comes along. Anything is better that your present situation, but you soon find out that it's not true. Now things are worse, and time is passing, and the hole you're in is deeper and more difficult to get out of.

First, maybe things can be changed in you current career. A concerted effort in resolving some of the most pressing issues could make you current situation better. It will give you some breathing room to spend some time to thing things through and do some careers research, perhaps to acquire some new skills.

A new career does not just happen. You have to plan out exactly what and when you want things to happen. By putting your plan into action you're more likely to reach your new career objective.

2. Forgetting about your new financial needs or not preparing for a possible change in you financial circumstances is the second mistake many career changers make. Quitting a job and beginning to look for a job in a new career will usually take longer than expected.

Continue working in your current career while you build your skills and qualifications for the new career. Build you financial resources, pay down your debts, and take a part-time job all to insure you have the financial resources to weather any storm when you change careers.

In changing careers you may have to take a step or two back before you again begin moving forward. This means your income will take a dip before you again equal or exceed your former income. Plan for these circumstances and the transition to a new career will go much smoother.

3. Not having a career change plan may be the biggest mistake a career changer can make. Career planning must be written out and progress reviewed every two or three months and adjustments make in your progress. Combining a career plan with the all important financial plan will result in a synergy that will allow you to reach your career change goals earlier and the journey will miss many of the pot holes in the road to a new career.

Changing careers at any age can be an undertaking filled with uncertainty and unexpected challenges but by planning out each step you are more likely to find the right job in the right career.

John Groth has changed careers seven times during his working life. Learn more about changing careers and career change planning at http://careersafter50.com. Discover how others over age 50, built winning career plans and found the right careers by career change planning after 50.

Career Change After 50 - 7 Mistakes You Should Avoid!

Career Change after 50 - here are 7 mistakes to avoid in planning a career change.

A career change after 50, can sometimes feel like a jump into the unknown. But you are not alone, many people just like you, during their working lifetime change careers not once but many times.

To reinvent yourself, and change careers after 50, you must be aware of a number of things to avoid and not make these mistakes in your career transition.

1. Failure to Plan the Move: Career planning after 50 is a must. It allows you to build your skills and qualifications. If you need relevant experience you plan activities that will give you the requisite credentials.

Planning your career gives you a significant advantage over the person who stumbles from job to job and career to career.

Career planning should have positive actions done on a regular basis. Your career planning should have an active financial component. The career plan will have built in flexibility to give you the required road map to the planned career change.

2. Deciding to change careers for the wrong reasons: Take a good look in the mirror. Are you really burned out? Is your boss really a tyrant or is it the demands of the business? Is there something else in your life that you are dissatisfied with and not really your career? Have you done everything you can to resolve the problems at work?

Moving to another career and bringing your personal baggage with you will not resolve your problems.

3. Not assessing your interests, skills and passion: You move to another career because of suggestions of friends or relatives or because the job is available will not get it done.

Self-assessment is the key to finding the right career, where you'll be challenged and have a passion to going into work everyday.

4. Not doing a due diligence study of the new career: Career research requires developing a great deal of information, talking to a lot of people and getting advice from a variety of sources.

You'll get to a number of dead ends; this is good as it allows you to reject a career. With a careful analysis of your interests, likes and dislikes there are plenty of career avenues to explore.

5. Not looking carefully at transferable skills: Rejecting the perfect fit for a career change because you do not carefully consider how long built up skills are transferable to satisfy qualifications in the planned new career is a critical mistake.

Skills like project management, leadership, and communication with a bit of work will match up with the requirements of many new careers.

6. Not developing all viable options on the career change: To often a promising career is quickly rejected because a mandatory qualification would take to long to acquire or the first option reveals that it is impossible to fit the learning into your schedule.

For example, if some technical knowledge is required it can be learned through self-study, taking an evening course at a local college, internet learning or taught by a mentor. Other education and learning can be acquired other than through formal class work. Seminars, workshops, and trade shows are other alternatives to pick up the required learning.

Other required experience can be acquired through volunteer work with a non-profit, part-time work, working on committees with a career related organization and even working on project related teams at your current employer.

7. Expecting Instant Results: Unfortunately we live in a society where everything is desired now, not tomorrow or next week, but now.

Effective career planning, on the other hand, is like building a large house. A carefully built foundation will determine the final results. Failure to consider early on, for example, the heating and cooling requirements could result in a home cold in the winter and hot in the summer. Careful planning is the key.

Career planning after 50 is clearly not an exact science. It is however, a method, if done consistently and diligently over time, with time taken occasionally to adjust the career direction, should result in a career change moving you into your dream career.

Learn more in developing your career plan after 50, go to http://careersafter50.com. Read how others over age 50, built winning career plans and found the right careers by career planning after 50.

Changing Careers After 50 - Five Mistakes That Doom a Career Change!

You're approaching 50 or more and the career you've worked in you whole life is turning to dust. It could be the atmosphere in your work place taking a turn for the worse. Maybe the working conditions have changed, or your new boss is a jerk or perhaps the next manager up the line is impossible to talk to or combinations of all the negatives making the workplace and your career something you want to run away from.

In addition many of your interests have changed and you know you're not going to work out your career with this employer or perhaps even retire in this career. Well you're not alone; thousands every year in midlife not only change employers but move to another career as well.

Get the career change after 50 wrong and not only will you not advance but you may lose a critical year or two in the process. A career move to be successful must be carefully planned and managed. And like any important project each move must be analyzed and thought through with a built-in measure of flexibility.

Let's briefly review some of the more common mistakes many make in deciding on a career change after 50.

1. Lack of Thoughtful Study: Even though a career may fit your skill set and interests, if you fail to understand, for example, you hate to be micro-managed and most of the jobs in this career are tightly controlled from the top a career change will end in failure. Or perhaps you'll end up in worse shape that before the career changes.

As you research the proposed career field, don't neglect talking to those currently working in the field to get a proper feel for all aspects of the new career.

2. Failure to consider how your interests and skills were achieved: Rarely do your interests and skills move in linear fashion. You try something and then drop it. Your skills languish until you "get it." New interests come to the forefront, and so it goes.

If you continue keeping your eyes open and build and work your career plan; you'll be surprised many times as new opportunities and exactly the right career drops into your lap.

3. Only following the money: If you measure your career satisfaction totally based on your earnings you may miss the whole point of making a career change. Rather, you should focus on the overall impact the career change will have on you and your family and not purely on terms of income.

Career change based on only one of many factors could leave you more dissatisfied than before the move to another career. Add everything together and carefully consider the entire picture in you analysis and you'll make a better decision.

4. Lack of foresight and patience: Your current job and career seem to be so bad that you make the move before you have properly researched and analyzed the next step. More often than not, being employed and developing your career plan, is preferable to being unemployed and having to act in haste.

Successfully changing careers after 50, and really at any age, require a high level of research, a companion financial plan, and time to acquire necessary education, other qualifications and experience.

5. Failure to realize you're in charge: Often the hunting for another career is out sourced to a recruiter or head hunter. The career changer mistakenly assumes their transferable skills will be apparent and easily salable a prospective employer.

Nothing could be farther from reality. It's your new career and it's up to you to package your skills, qualifications and experience in the best way possible. Some of this information will come from discussing the career with others, some from your research and in large measure from you analysis of the needs of the prospective employer.

Where is the good career change advice?

Good advice is touched on in the discussion under the five things not to do in making a successful after 50 career change.

In summary good career move advice is: to do your homework, get the advice of others, consider all the factors in the career change, build a robust career plan (and don't forget the financial aspects of the career change), be patient, and accept responsibility that you are in charge of the career change. Be flexible and adjust your career plan as necessary.

We all want to get control over our career and our life and a midlife career change, done properly, can do just that.

For more career change ideas and a roadmap to get started in career planning go to http://careersafter50.com. Learn what other have done in building their career planning after 50, worked their plans and found the career of their dreams.

Career change after 50-don't make these errors

Almost everyone, at one time or another believes that a career change. How do you get over 50 chances of a career change increases.
 
Changing careers can be a stressful experience, so here's a list of career change mistakes that avoiding them will make the transition to a new career less painless and successful as possible:

Does not have a career plan:Most people put more planning in their holiday than their career plan. Career plan details are important: plan B, financial strategies, career search, career goals, long term flexibility and frequent updates are all keys to a successful career plan after 50.

Neglecting careful self-assessment:Not evaluate your likes, dislikes, interests, type of organizations do not want to work for the values and competencies and self-reflection could put overall in a new career that is better than the career that you left alone. Know and understand what you like and what you dislike will assist you in making the right career change decision.

Focus on the wrong reason changing careers:If you don't like or hate your job doesn't mean that you need to find a new career. You have a problem with your boss, is the company a bad place to work, there is a negative trend in business-are all the pressures that can push incorrectly conclude the career or job are to blame.

Get financial and career plans in order before you close your current job. In the situation better, find a new career and then put in your notice to resign.

More income will solve your problems of career:Maybe it's not more income but less concentrated more spending and less debt. Making a career change for the sole purpose of making more money many times you will find that you are no longer happy in your new job faster payment or career that you had previously.

Forgetting to network:Get career information required by a variety of sources. Talk with friends, co-workers, individuals who work in a planned career, members of industry associations, so you can get answers to your questions, find required education and self-study and any job openings. Inability to use and develop this valuable resource can keep you from making a series of errors and can extend your search to the right career.

Do not develop all the career options available:We talked about the importance of networking. This is just a way to explore the development of all your career options. The use of the internet, studying trends in scheduled and find other career working in the career planning and plan on short informative talks with them to learn more.

Like any important decision you have more options the better decision.

Looking for a career change without necessary qualifications:If there is a gap in your career search and do not have the necessary qualifications and experience that we can try to change careers with little chance of success.

While through many careers are transferable skills there are other requirements that must be met. Education (can be satisfied with the self-study, learning internet education and part-time), relevant experience (can be satisfied with experience of part-time and volunteer), certifications (can be learned by self-study and formal education), anyone can add to your qualifications.

This brings us back to the beginning; career planning after 50, overcome all these errors, add to your personal confidence and help you find the right job in the career of right.

Career change after 50 can be stressful. Here is a list of planning mistakes that you should avoid career. Find our http://careersafter50.commore. Also, learn from the stories of others who made the successful career change after 50.

Career Planning - 5 Critical Mistakes

Career Planning: What not to do!

You've heard a lot about career planning. We've may have read what Brian Tracy said about developing career goals, "An average person with average talent, ambition and education, can outstrip the most brilliant genius in our society, if that person has clear focused goals."

Why then do more people make mistakes at career planning? What do they not do to manage working out a career plan?

First, they have unrealistic goals. They do not break the individual career goal down to manageable bites. If they plan on reading 100 books in two years, it does them little good trying to read all the books in the last weekend before the end of the two years. A manageable goal, for example would be to read two books a month. You can measure it at the end of the month and adjust it as you go along. More likely with this approach you'll reach and exceed the overall goal of 200 books read in two years.

Also, unrealistic aspirations become more realistic if you check the goals out with your mentors and friends. Moreover, unrealistic career goals are rarely met so the individual gets discouraged and the overall plan becomes ignored and useless.

Second, many work out career plans that have a limited range and scope. They view themselves as only working in one job or type of job. This restricts career options dramatically and can have an effect of reducing overall job satisfaction. Expand your horizons, and work hard to cross-train in other related careers. Learn other skills and you'll find other opportunities opening for you.

Third, a career plan that is over detailed and leaves no room or time to respond to changes in external or internal circumstances could become a problem. Further, having a laundry list of detailed action items usually means a lack of priorities. This leads to little or no effective action on the career plan.

Fourth, a career plan that depends on others to recognize you skills and potential is doomed to failure. Developing a plan that requires your organization to plan the development and advancement of your career is going in the wrong direction. Career planning and development is your responsibility and your responsibility alone. Your organization may provide resources but it is your responsibility to take the required actions to plan and develop your career.

Fifth, many take unnecessary risks in their lack of career planning. They do not develop proper options nor develop the basic skills and understandings required to move to the next level or to properly prepare themselves to change careers. You should be making informed choices, with proper preparation to assure your career plan develops the planned results.

So we have five main areas that many do not do in planning and managing their careers: (1) They set unrealistic goals; (2) Their career plans have limited range and scope; (3) They have an overly detailed career plan; (4) Their career plan depends on others; and (5) Their lack of a career plan mean they take unnecessary risks with their career and their future.

Paraphrasing what Brian Tracy said earlier in this article, clear focused goals are the key to effective career planning and development. Keep from making the five listed mistakes and you'll be well on your way to career and future success.

John Groth is a former HR executive and career coach. Find Career Planning Ideas, valuable articles and a free seven day career planning guide. Discover up to date career and recruitment strategies at our Career Planning Guide; all to assist you in advancing and managing your career.

10 Mistakes Career Changers Make

Over the years I have talked to hundreds of people who dislike their job or know they are in the wrong job. Most are reluctant to make a change for lots of different reasons. The most common is inertia - the feeling that they know this job and can do it so why bother to make a change. In recent years many of these people have lost their jobs and are now considering making a career change. Others are currently in a job and waiting for the economy to turn around before making a change. In either situation this list of 10 Mistakes Career Changers Make that will be useful.

1. Waiting until they are out of work before thinking about a career change. Making a career change takes time. When someone is out of work they usually want to get back to work quickly. Unless they have the financial resources or a temporary assignment to keep them afloat, doing the work necessary to find the right career change to make takes too long.

2. Deciding on what they are going to change to without research and self assessment. Before making a career change a person needs to be sure he/she has found a career that fits their behavioral style, skill set, and values. To do that he/she must have done a thorough self evaluation and then some research into the career itself. The research would include talking to people who currently have the targeted position.

3. Allowing money to be the major reason for the change. People who are well paid often limit their career change choices to careers that pay the same or more than their current career. That may lead to a poor career change choice. People who are in careers that don't pay well also may limit their choices to higher paying careers. If someone only considers money and not values, passion and skill set, the career will not be the best choice for that person.

4. Choosing a career that a family member or friend said was a good choice. My mother always wanted me to be a computer programmer. Someone told her it was a good field. It didn't sound like something I would like and fortunately I followed my own instincts. Career Changers need to do what interests them not what interests a family member. Going into the family business can be a mistake for some people.

5. Going back to school for a new degree or certification without having talked to people in the field. It is important to give a new career a test drive before deciding on it. Volunteering in an organization that allows you to try out your new career choice for a few weeks is one way to get this experience. Shadowing someone who has the job before making the change is another way to get a feel for the job.

6. Accepting the suggested career of a career counselor or recruiter. It would be nice if someone else knew exactly what was right for a person but no one can know that except the person him/herself. Career Changers can be open to suggestions but must examine the career for him/herself. There are no short cuts and anyone allowing others to make the choice for them is in danger of making the wrong choice.

7. Limiting their exploration to fields related to their current industry and position. Finding the career that is perfect means leaving all options open. Clues for new careers can come from past dreams and hobbies. There is detective work and intuition involved in finding a match that is right. Choosing to look at only possibilities related to their current field and industry may make the career changers overlook something that is perfect for them.

8. Changing careers because they hate their job. Career Changers must take the time to think about why they hate their job. Is it because of the work they are doing, the company they are doing it for or their manager? Many times a change of jobs can correct the situation without a change of careers. If it turns out to be the work that makes them hate the job, understanding what it is about the work that they hate will be a clue to what kind of work they will like.

9. Making a career change without a transition plan. Once the career changer knows what kind of a change to make, he/she will need a plan to move in that direction. Some people have all the skills they need to go to the new career. Others will need to take some interim steps to get there. One of the steps might be additional training. Another might be to take a lower level position and work their way into the position they actually are targeting.

10. Making a Career change without a coach. There are many steps to a career change and it is easy to get distracted and give up on the process. There are lots of temptations along the way that come from people who will want the person to just make up his/her mind. To do a thorough job having a coach as your guide is invaluable. It may well be the difference between a career that you love and just another job.

Alvah Parker is a Practice Advisor (The Attorneys' Coach) and a Career Changers' Coach as well as publisher of Parker's Points, an email tip list and Road to Success, an ezine. Subscribe now to these free monthly publications at her website http://www.asparker.com/samples.html and receive a values assessment as a gift. Work becomes more meaningful and enjoyable when you work from your values.

Parker's Value Program© enables her clients to find their own way to work that is more fulfilling and profitable. Her clients are attorneys and people in transition who want to find work that is in line with their own life purpose. Alvah is found on the web at http://www.asparker.com. She may also be reached at 781-598-0388.

Career Planning - 5 Critical Mistakes

Career Planning: What not to do!

You've heard a lot about career planning. We've may have read what Brian Tracy said about developing career goals, "An average person with average talent, ambition and education, can outstrip the most brilliant genius in our society, if that person has clear focused goals."

Why then do more people make mistakes at career planning? What do they not do to manage working out a career plan?

First, they have unrealistic goals. They do not break the individual career goal down to manageable bites. If they plan on reading 100 books in two years, it does them little good trying to read all the books in the last weekend before the end of the two years. A manageable goal, for example would be to read two books a month. You can measure it at the end of the month and adjust it as you go along. More likely with this approach you'll reach and exceed the overall goal of 200 books read in two years.

Also, unrealistic aspirations become more realistic if you check the goals out with your mentors and friends. Moreover, unrealistic career goals are rarely met so the individual gets discouraged and the overall plan becomes ignored and useless.

Second, many work out career plans that have a limited range and scope. They view themselves as only working in one job or type of job. This restricts career options dramatically and can have an effect of reducing overall job satisfaction. Expand your horizons, and work hard to cross-train in other related careers. Learn other skills and you'll find other opportunities opening for you.

Third, a career plan that is over detailed and leaves no room or time to respond to changes in external or internal circumstances could become a problem. Further, having a laundry list of detailed action items usually means a lack of priorities. This leads to little or no effective action on the career plan.

Fourth, a career plan that depends on others to recognize you skills and potential is doomed to failure. Developing a plan that requires your organization to plan the development and advancement of your career is going in the wrong direction. Career planning and development is your responsibility and your responsibility alone. Your organization may provide resources but it is your responsibility to take the required actions to plan and develop your career.

Fifth, many take unnecessary risks in their lack of career planning. They do not develop proper options nor develop the basic skills and understandings required to move to the next level or to properly prepare themselves to change careers. You should be making informed choices, with proper preparation to assure your career plan develops the planned results.

So we have five main areas that many do not do in planning and managing their careers: (1) They set unrealistic goals; (2) Their career plans have limited range and scope; (3) They have an overly detailed career plan; (4) Their career plan depends on others; and (5) Their lack of a career plan mean they take unnecessary risks with their career and their future.

Paraphrasing what Brian Tracy said earlier in this article, clear focused goals are the key to effective career planning and development. Keep from making the five listed mistakes and you'll be well on your way to career and future success.

John Groth is a former HR executive and career coach. Find Career Planning Ideas, valuable articles and a free seven day career planning guide. Discover up to date career and recruitment strategies at our Career Planning Guide; all to assist you in advancing and managing your career.