Here is how to get career switch right

Making a career switch takes more than just shutting one door and opening another.

How then do you ensure that you have at least sealed all the potential risks?

Money went on a search to establish some of the mistakes to avoid when changing your career.

Ms Kathy Caprino of The Huffington Post says that hanging your career to something more suited to your values, needs, skills and passion is absolutely doable, even in tough economic times.

“But to switch careers effectively and achieve a positive outcome, you need four things: clarity, confidence, courage and commitment. Without these, you’ll most likely struggle and fail,” she says.

Hate-driven decision

You want to change your career because you are struggling with what you currently do and you have hence grown to hate it, hate your colleagues, boss etc.

These are the wrong reasons for changing your career. Before you hang your boots, try and reclaim what drew you into choosing that particular career in the first place. Running away from the problem does not solve it.

Lack of plan

You will need to plan for your exit and make sure you have a sound financial plan that will cushion you from expected shocks as you transition from one career to the other.

If you do not have a financial plan, wait until you have saved enough for this.

Use the time to research on your next career and solicit for as much advice as you possibly can.

It is better to be safe and double sure than sorry. During this time, you will be in a position to know if your next career will present exactly what you are looking for.

Do you have what it takes?

Are you for instance trained in that line of work? If not, during your research, this would be the ideal time to take training sessions that will help you land on your feet in your next career.

Look for mentors and acquire skills.

It is also important to understand what types of challenges you are likely to face in your new career.

You do not want to find the same challenges that made you quit in your next job. It can be very frustrating.

Giving up too quickly

Just remember there is no one single job you will find that does not have its ups and downs.

How you handle challenges determines if you are cut for it or not. It also affects your success or failure.

So if you have moved and things seem to toughen every day, try a different approach.

Not believing in yourself

If you do not believe in yourself, it will be quite difficult for you to make someone else believe in you.

It is important to have a positive attitude towards your move.

This is of course after you have done thorough research and made an informed choice about your move.