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Surprising? Not really. There are many like Sangita today, who, for a variety of reasons — stresses of the job, long hours of work, incorrect career choice, stunted career growth, low salary, and so on — feel unhappy in their jobs and want to change, not just their jobs, but their careers. More and more people in high-stress jobs are reconsidering work/life balance issues, doctors are nurturing their artistic interests, corporate employees are looking for alternatives or greater independence, and swapping suits for overalls and even starting up home-based businesses. But is it really possible to change your career and still be successful? The answer is yes — and in today’s dynamic work environment, it is not that difficult either. The job market is expanding rapidly, there are hundreds of different kinds of careers, with new ones evolving all the time, and the skills and abilities you use and have developed in your current careers can be transferred to many other careers. It is easier to make a career change if you know which field you’d like to enter, but even if you don’t, you can still begin to look for new options.
Lateral move Your best chance of landing a job in your new field might be to make a lateral move, into a related field. If you are a doctor like Sangita, you could take up a course in say, hospital administration, and make a career change to a management job within the medical field. Your background in medicine can help you get your foot in the door. Alternately, an IT specialist working in an IT firm, bored with his environment, might like to consider a change of scene to an IT job in a different industry, say, handling the IT needs of a fashion clothing or media company. You must have a well-developed plan for making your career change. Don't rush into a new career field because you are dissatisfied or disillusioned with your current job, boss, company, or career field. In this case, look for another job, not another career. It is important not to rush into a career change until you have thought it out and developed a strategy. Among the first things to do when considering a career change, is to evaluate the skills you have. Write down all the skills you needed to use in each of the jobs in your career and then figure out which of these skills you are likely to need in your new career. If you do not know which field you may like to get into, identify your favourite skills and subjects, determine what motivates you, and then using this information short list the kinds of jobs and areas of work where your skills may be useful. Sometimes, it may be useful to take some career assessments tests, which can help measure your interest and skills, broaden your options and confirm hunches that indicate what type of working conditions are ideal for you. When writing down your skills be sure to list your general skills and competencies (e.g. management, organisation) as well as technical skills (e.g. specific software skills, other industry-specific skills). Also, be sure to note down where you are strong, average, and/or weak, and your preferred skill set-which responsibilities do you enjoy. Take the time to examine the activities that you like and dislike, with more focus on your likes. Often career changes are made to benefit lifestyle preferences, so you need to focus on new careers that centre around your likes and passions. Sangita is a social person and is good at handling all kinds of people. She also loves painting, and had won some prizes in art while at school. But she had to give up this hobby once she started medical college. So, while a career in hospital administration seemed interesting to her, the thought of doing something in the field of art was definitely more exciting. Lt Col Anish, on the other hand, was leaving the army after a career of 20 years, and needed to look at fields where his man management skills would be valued. Once you have assessed your skills, you need to identify the key competencies required to be successful in your new field of interest. Often, this may be available on the Internet, or you can talk to others in the line of work you wish to pursue-ask them to list the key competencies that enable them to be successful. Match these against your list.
Assess competencies Ask yourself —How many of these key competencies do I currently have? Are they my strongest skills? Where are the gaps? Are there skills you don’t have, and can you build them. And if so, how? Don't limit yourself to similar careers or jobs when making a career change; look for careers that take advantage of both your skills and your interests. This study might indicate that you will need to get additional training or education or attend a course, or some classes to learn the new skills you would require in the changed career. But don’t jump headfirst into an educational program…start slowly. Here too, a decision needs to be made — can you afford to take time off to study, and would there be a temporary setback in salary? If so, can you live with the temporary adjustments? Once you have carefully considered and weighed the positives/negatives of your current situation against the cost/benefits of making a change you will be in a better position to determine whether or not the negatives can be improved by a change in environment. Answers to these questions will help you arrive at a clear choice and the kind of key information to help you find work in your new field. Having a list of your strengths and transferable skills, and a clear understanding of how this new field better fits with your lifestyle, interests, etc. can also help you present yourself in a compelling way to a prospective employer or business partner. Do expect to put in a great deal of time and effort in making the switch from one career to another, but don’t allow yourself to get discouraged at the pace or your progress…changing careers takes time. Don't worry if you feel a bit insecure or unsure about making a career change; these feelings are normal.
Networking benefits This is also the time to take advantage of all your networking potential, including using your current network of contacts. Networking is probably the single-most important thing to do when trying to make a career change. Join a professional organisations in your new career field or pull out those contacts you must have built up through the years. If you know people in your new career field, they can help you with information and guidance on how to make the change. Talk to people who are doing the kind of work you are interested in. They may be able to help you find a job, or provide you with the kind of inside information about the new career that may help you to even re-consider your decision. It may not be the ideal career for you, after all. You can also try out the new career, and gain experience in your new career field, ideally while you are still working in your current job. Volunteer or find a part-time job in your new career field — thus building experience, confidence, and contacts in your new field. Polish up your Resume, or CV, and check if it covers the skills and interests you wish to highlight. While your educational qualifications are still valuable, you may want to concentrate on demonstrating your skills and experience that could be of use to your new employer. Above all else, you must be flexible, and be willing to compromise. You’re basically starting your career anew, which means you may have to make concessions about job titles, salary, relocation, etc. Keep your eye on your ideal job but also be realistic. You may need to start at a lower level, but if you are able to handle the new job with the same passion and commitment that you had for your first job, you will certainly be able to make a success of your new career. Changing careers is challenging, and you really need to stay focused on your goal even when you get discouraged. As for Sangita, one of her patients has asked her to join in the business of managing an art gallery. So she has decided to keep her evening practise at home, while spending time at the gallery. This will enable her to get the feel of her new career, while still holding on to her current work. She will also get time to paint, and to manage her home. And, as she hopes — she may be able to start her own art gallery if the new experience proves fruitful. As for Lt Col Anish, he has decided to take up a course in retail management, as there are many new shopping malls coming up in his city, that have already indicated their willingness to take on a mature professional with the requisite skills. So, if you are looking for a career change, keep going-it’s never too late to make a change. The writer is a noted
career expert.
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Sangita is an MD in gynaecology and obstetrics with seven years of experience. She has a flourishing practice, earning more than Rs 1 lakh per month. But the
pressures of the job, the emergency calls, and balancing the needs of a young child at home and domestic obligations with the demands of work has made Sangita think about a change of career. 
