Mistakes to Avoid While Making A Career Change

It's very tempting during professional life to take a leap for a new career. The reason for such a temptation may differ from person to person. But the most common ones would be either you are not satisfied with the job or the pay-check you are drawing is insufficient to meet daily expenses. Whatsoever may be the reason, it is very necessary to calculate advantage and disadvantage of doing so. If you are experiencing a pinch of going for a change in career, here are the mistakes you must avoid. 

Making career change without self-assessment

Assessing yourself before changing a career is essential to take the right path. It will help you realize where you are standing in terms of strengths and weaknesses. If you are so bent on changing your career, it will give you an opportunity to develop skills required for the new profession that you will be taking. Therefore, knowing yourself in and out is vital as it will ensure that you don't regret your decision in the future.

Making career change due to outside pressure

It's obvious that we all discuss our important decision with friends, family, and someone we trust. Talking to them about changing a career is also a good thing. They may offer valuable advice and suggestions that can be helpful. Some may also thrust their opinion or pressurize you to take that career. In such a situation, before giving in, think carefully whether you are taking the right decision. Just because someone has pressurized or advised you, it will not lead you to a right track.

Making career change solely because of money benefits

One's financial status may be one of the reasons for career change. You may plan to take a new opportunity because you are getting a better pay package. But this should not be the sole reason for shift, since more money often brings more responsibilities and pressure, and you have to be prepared for it. In case you fail to handle that stress, you may end up spending on undesired health issues that are developed.

Making career change without planning

Planning is an inevitable part when taking a new career. It will help you to analyze advantages and disadvantages entailed in the act. As you will be starting afresh, it will take a good amount of time to settle in the new career. Even the remuneration you will be getting will insufficient and as such, you will have to do a lot of adjustment. Of course, as you settle down in the new career and start gaining experience, things will fall to normal. But you have to calculate everything that is associated with your mental, physical, and financial health.

Making career change based on success of others

Getting impressed by the success of others in a certain field is common. But just looking at their success and taking a career is not a good thing. You have to understand that they have achieved success only after going through lots of hardship. They are a committed lot who have also done a few sacrifices to attain success. So along with being impressed by them, you must also be ready to slog like them.

Making career change without necessary education

Every career needs specific education and training. You can enter into a profession only after completing this mandatory requirement. And it is necessary and useful for you since you can be in the profession as long as you wish and progress as well. Along with fulfilling fundamental requirements, you have to take continuous education and training to enhance your knowledge and hone your skills.

Making career change because you hate earlier job

Sometimes you may feel the pinch of changing your career just because you hate your present job. You may have your valid reasons of disliking your profession, and by thinking of changing it, you are doing the right thing. After all, when you aren't into something 100%, you cannot perform.  However, you need to research about the new career and the type of work environment before taking the plunge. Otherwise, you will experience the same thing again.


Whether to change a career or not is a personal choice. However, shifting from one career to another brings lot of changes in every single phase of personal and professional life. What's matters the most is that the transition must be smooth, which is possible only if you can avoid the above-mentioned mistakes. Or else, you will get totally lost if decisions are not planned.