Downsizing is one reason you may be seeking a new career. Reaching a professional plateau is another. The fact is, many people change careers, sometimes more than once. With proper planning, you can start a fulfilling new career without sacrificing your financial security.

Assessing your career path

Consider working with a professional career counselor

Working with a career counselor can ensure that you receive career-planning advice tailored to your individual needs and goals. Professional career counselors can help you explore your abilities and interests, clarify your life and career goals, help you decide whether you should find a new career, and teach you job-hunting skills. You should look for a career counselor who promises you more than a great job or fast results; although credentials and services offered vary, the counselor you choose should have extensive training, education, and experience. Professional counselors are often licensed by state counselor licensing boards. They may also be certified by the National Board for Certified Counselors and belong to a national or state career counseling professional association. To become a National Certified Career Counselor, an individual must have a graduate degree in counseling from a regionally accredited institution, have at least three years of full-time career development work experience, and have completed a certification exam.

To find a qualified career counselor, ask friends and family for recommendations and check with colleges and universities in your neighborhood. You can also check your phone directory or contact your state employment service. The National Board for Certified Counselors, which can be reached at (800) 398-5389, can also provide you with a list of nationally certified career counselors in your state.

Tip: Professional career counselors should follow the ethical guidelines established by organizations such as the American Counseling Association or the National Career Development Association. They should not charge exorbitant fees or make exaggerated promises. Before signing a contract with a career counselor, make sure you understand what services you will receive for your money.

Assess your skills, talents, interests, and goals

Many resources are available to help you assess your skills, talents, interests, and goals. If you decide not to work with a professional career counselor, you can explore your career options with the help of a book or an Internet site devoted to career issues. Such resources include tests and exercises that you can complete that will help you evaluate what you like to do best and what you are good at doing. You can then use this information to determine what career is right for you.

Research potential careers

Before deciding to switch careers, do your homework. What sounds like an ideal career for you may not be. For instance, you may love the idea of teaching but hate the idea of taking a big pay cut to become a teacher. Or, the idea of making a lot of money as an investment banker might appeal to you, but you may object to working long hours. When researching a new career, answer the following questions:

  • Will this career be personally gratifying?
  • How much money can I expect to make initially? In 5 years? In 10 years?
  • Will I be able to find a job where I currently live, or will I have to relocate?
  • Will I need to go back to school?
  • What is the occupational outlook for this profession?

To find this information, you may have to consult several sources. If you have not yet decided on a career, check the employment section of your local newspaper for ideas on jobs available. If possible, talk to others who work in the career field you are considering and find out how satisfied they are with their career choice. They will be able to give you advice regarding the profession and information regarding the pros and cons of pursuing a career in this field. You can also find books on careers in your public library or local bookstore and locate a lot of information about careers on-line, including information on how much money you can expect to make. To find out what the occupational outlook is for the career you’re considering, consult the Occupational Outlook Handbook, which is the official handbook of the Bureau of Labor Statistics. It is available at your local library or can be viewed on-line at http://stats.bls.gov/oco/. Another Internet resource that can help you evaluate career fields is America’s Career InfoNet ().