The Secret to Changing Careers Safely

We will eventually lose interest especially if the job we are at now is not our ultimate dream. With this, we have to know when we are unhappy and know how to deal with it. Should we suck it up or should we make the big leap to a different career? The answer lies on within us.

When we are in the dilemma of losing interest and being unhappy, we do not need to be rash. Here are some things that we need to consider before making that big leap to a different career:

• Assess the cause: Before anything else, it is crucial that we find out where these feelings of unhappiness and uncertainly are coming from. The solution to our work worries lies in the cause so we have to focus on that first. Is it really the whole career that is bothering us or just the company? In many cases, the cause lies with our career direction.

• Assess the impact: So we decided to change our career but are we prepared for the consequences? Losing job is bad enough here in Singapore how much more if we willingly resign. We have to think whether we are under-qualified of over-qualified. If it is okay we start from scratch, then we have to consider the new career.

• Have a plan: Now that we are resolved to resign, we should prepare things first so we do not stay idle. For example, we need to start re-writing our resume and find a mentor in the new industry.

• Disengage: When is the right time to disengage? When everything seems right – we’ve lined up a job offer and we’ve gotten a foot in the industry.