Before Making a Career Move, Evaluate Your Options

Chances are you've heard the saying, "look before you leap." If you've decided you want to change careers, before making any move, evaluate your options. Here are some tips that may help you make an informed decision:

~Find out the salary range for your new career
~Research employment projections
~Read the job description (Dictionary of Occupational Titles)
~Talk with someone in the profession/field
~Find out if you need additional training or education

It can also be beneficial to talk with an objective party or a career advisor who can provide insight and ask questions on various aspects of the career change. For example, why do you want to make the change? Is a career change right for you? A career advisor can also administer career assessments (if desired), help you develop action steps, and when the time comes for an interview, help you develop key questions which can be helpful in determining whether or not the company (and the position) will be a good fit.  

So, "look before you leap." It will minimize the chances of accepting a position (or completely changing careers) only to find out it was not the right fit.