What Career Coaches Want You to Know Before Changing Careers

Are you always thinking about finding a new job?

Do you find yourself losing sleep because you constantly worry about your work? Does the thought of going to work each day make you feel anxious? If you answer yes to all these questions, the signs are clear, and they’re pointing to a career change.

Of course, not everyone can quit their jobs just because they want to. If you can relate and have doubts about quitting, you should consider what career coaches have to say about the matter.

That being said, here are some insights from career planning experts that can help you make the right decision.

When Changing Fields Isn’t Always the Best Course of Action 

If there is one career advice executive coaches want you to know it’s that switching careers isn’t always the solution to work problems. This is why some people who change fields end up regretting their decision. 

To make sure this doesn’t happen to you, first ask yourself, “Have I fully explored my reasons for wanting a new career?”

If your main reason for wanting to move to another field has a lot to do with your boss, you should try to see first if other organizations in the same industry do things differently. Don’t let one person make you go, “This career isn’t for me.” 

Another not so good reason for changing fields is boredom. Sure, learning new skills in a new field is exciting, but what makes you certain you won’t feel the same restlessness in a couple of years? Think things through before jumping ship, or consider getting an outside perspective from a professional who can give you the career help you need.

What You Need to Prepare for the Big Leap

Now, if you still have doubts, but are curious about what kind of preparations you need to make a successful career transition, here’s the most important thing to remember.

Don’t forget that most likely you’ll start at the very beginning, so you have to make sure you can survive on your new salary. Another thing to prepare for is getting your skill-set up to par. That could mean going back to school or going for some internship or volunteer opportunities. 

If these don’t sound appealing to you, consider freelancing or starting a side gig in the field you’re thinking of moving to before quitting. This way, you’ll have some money saved up for when you start applying for a full-time position.

How Career Coaches Can Help

Career coaching offers many benefits to anyone who needs to get on the right career path. Don’t think that career coaches only help those who want to switch jobs. If you want to stay in your field, but move on to the next level, a career coach can help you achieve that goal. 

Of course, it’s important to hire the right coach. In this article, for example, an executive coach shares his top tips for a successful career transformation. It doesn’t mean you should hire a similar coach, though, as your career goals might be different.

When looking for a career coach, look into their specialization. Some are experts at negotiation, while others can help with job interviews. Consider asking for recommendations from friends who’ve benefitted from consulting a career coach.

Want to Know More About Career Coaching?

Now that you have some idea about what career coaches might tell you if you’re considering a job change, don’t stop here. Remember, this is your career that’s at stake. 

For more career tips and advice, feel free to explore our blog.

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