Smart Career Move

Yesterday I blogged about ways that leaders can help followers make that career change. Difficult as it might be for a leader to lose good people it happens that people need or want to pursue other goals. Gone are those days of someone graduating from college and finding an entry level position in their field and then staying at that company working their way up the ladder for 40 years.

Today I will give you some ways the Leader can help make that career change for him or herself. Maybe they want to be a leader in a different area or a completely different field.

Here is the article again.

BOSTON, MA -- Q. I am 35 years old and have been in sales since college. I don't feel any satisfaction from my current role and am considering a change to the creative side of marketing. People say I'm too old to make such a big change. Your thoughts?

A. You have 15 years invested in a career that is no longer fulfilling, and you have at least 30 more years to work. Working 30 more years in a field that doesn't bring you enjoyment will be much harder than a job search you start today.

You are absolutely not too old to make a career change, and changing roles, functions or industries is just another type of career plan. Your career plan needs to chart a course toward a new role. People make all sorts of big and small career changes at a variety of ages. People go to law school, get MBA's or MSW's regardless of what their previous careers are. They decide to teach or to quit teaching. They transfer to a new role within their current employer. They change industries. What they know is that they'll get older regardless of whether they pursue a new career or not. So develop your plan. Don't assume this will be a one-step career move. It may be, but it may take 2-3 career moves to help you make the transition you are hoping for.

Here are the things you can do to help make that career change easier.

·         Network – Connect with those people you know. Find out if there is anything you can do for them.

·         Go back to school if necessary. I did this a few years ago and earned my MBA in leadership.

·         Study and educate yourself on what it takes to get the job you want. Maybe even investigate companies that you want to work at.

·         Make sure your resume is up to professional standards.

o    You might even consider paying to have an analysis of your resume to match the position you would like.

If you do these four things and you will be well on your way to that career change.