8 of the most common career change mistakes to avoid

Action definitely trumps inaction, but beware of jumping out of the frying pan into the fire. There are certain decisions that can't be reversed, and while they might seem like a good idea in the heat of the moment, you might just regret them later on.

So save yourself the grief and stay away from the following 8 most common career change mistakes:

#1 Quit just because you're bored

Don't laugh, it's been known to happen. Sometimes you're so sick and tired of doing the same thing day in, day out, that you just want out, whatever the cost. However tempting it might be to hand in your resignation letter, first, ask yourself whether it will actually solve your problem?

Without getting to the root cause of your unhappiness at work, you're just running away from the problem. Even if you land a new job, chances are, once you've settled in, it will just be a matter of time before you start feeling restless again.

Have you explored the possibility of a job transfer within your company to a different department that might be of more interest to you? Or perhaps a promotion which will better utilise your talents and skills? There can be a multitude of reasons for your lack of engagement at your job. Whatever it is, it's important to identify the problem so you can take constructive action and move forward.

#2 Enter a new field just because it's hot right now

Just because being a freelance fitness trainer looks cool (and fun), and seems to be the hot new profession at the moment, that doesn't mean you should do it too. Are you a good motivator? How do you really feel about health and fitness? Do you personally enjoy working out regularly?

The above is just an example, but the principles apply to whichever profession you're considering switching to. Do you have the right skills and attributes to excel at your new chosen career? Are you passionate and enthusiastic about the job? Taking on a job you have no interest in might be worse than staying where you are right now.

#3 Use money as your key criterion 

Yes, money is important, but it's not the be all and end all. Truth is, we can never have enough money or material possessions. It's what we do with what we have and how we use them to improve our quality of life that matters.

If you find a job you're passionate about which pays well, by all means, go for it, but don't just settle on a job because it pays big bucks. It probably comes with a catch.

#4 Quit your job without having at least 6 months' savings

It's important to take risks, but make sure they're calculated risks. You'll need time to figure out what new career path you want to embark on. Even if you already know what you want to do, you'll still need time securing a suitable job in that field. In the meantime, you'll still need to pay the rent and put food on the table.

#5 Expect it to be a smooth transition

We're not being pessimistic. It could very well be an easy change, but it's always better to manage your expectations so you don't get frustrated and demotivated during the process. As a general rule, change is often fraught with complications. It's important to brace yourself for the initial challenges when transitioning into a new career.

Talking to those who've done it before can give you an idea of what to expect. It's also a good idea to get a personal account from friends or acquaintances working in your chosen career field as to what the job really entails, so you don't get any nasty surprises.

#6 Think a career counselor can tell you what you should do

Sure, a career counselor can give you sound advice and guidance, but they can't tell you definitively what career you were born to do. It's tempting to hope someone out there can give you the answers you so desperately yearn for, but in reality, we need to figure it out for ourselves.

By all means, seek professional advice and insights—it always helps to get different perspectives on the matter. But don't expect them to have it all figured out for you.

#7 Limit your options

If you're going to make a career change, then it's time to cast aside doubts you previously had about your abilities and explore hidden depths and talents with an open mind. Do your research, read about different career options you might not have considered in the past, do self-assessment exercises. You could even take up voluntary work as an experiment.

The point is not to limit your options to what you've done before. Take this as an opportunity to discover yourself. You might be surprised!

#8 Underestimate the significance of the change

Make sure you're not jumping out of the frying pan into the fire. Choosing to make a career change is huge, and a highly courageous move, but be careful that the new job doesn't cause conflicts with your values and priorities.

For example, if the new job involves a high degree of social media activity but you have zero online presence due to privacy concerns, this might affect your ability to deliver. Don't just shrug it off and think you'll figure it out later. Even a simple thing such as long nights and working weekends might become a big problem if you're a working parent with young kids to care for.

The point is to consider the career change carefully before committing to it, so you don't end up regretting your decision later. That said, don't wait until you've got it all figured out before taking the leap. You can't predict the future. All you can do is have a plan which you can adapt as and when needed!

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