Generation X belongs to the people born during the period 1965 – 1984 and are probably in the early thirties or late forties. This particular generation forms a substantial part of the workforce population and often finds itself squeezed between two major groups, namely Boomers and Gen Y. As the professionals belonging to this group find themselves sandwiched between Boomers who are on the verge of retirement and Millennial who have a relaxed attitude towards company norms and protocols, they have also witnessed a paradigm shift in the choice of careers and are testimonials to the altered definition of career success. Times have certainly changed, and it is essential that people belonging to Gen X must keep up with it to avoid feeling dissatisfied or neglected. Hence, to match steps with Gen Y and save your job, it is necessary you follow these pieces of advice to ensure a long-lasting career.

Understand your brand value 

Today, individuals don't refrain from trying exciting career options or following their passion. The formula 'get good grades, complete education, get a job and live happily ever after' has already been laid to rest. Hence, even if you have been employed in a particular field for more than three decades, understand that the corporate would still need you. You are an important resource to the employer as you bring experience, reliability and some seriousness to the table.

Understand Your Value

Be the driving force of your career 

Even if you are an employee who has been working at the same organization for almost a decade, you should not be afraid to make a switch for better opportunities. Being loyal is definitely an excellent trait and is also appreciated in the job industry. Many Gen-Xers are facing midlife crisis juggling between job and other responsibilities. If the work has become monotonous or is not something that makes you tick, it is never too late to pursue a career in a field of your interest.

Be The Driving Force

Get a hands-on experience with social media 

To stay aloof and detached from the latest buzz in your domain, means you are deliberately showing a smug attitude and are unwilling to learn new things. Being ignorant about social media can affect your status in the society as well as create a negative impression on potential employers. In today's tech-savvy world, it is important to stay connected and embrace opportunities that are available on the Internet. You can discuss opinions with like-minded people or listen to their views and thus be in a continuous learning process.

Get Experience  with Social Media

Relate to your colleagues beyond work 

Gone are the days, when work only meant giving hundred percent to carry out the assigned tasks. The changing company environment has emphasized the fact that work and fun must mutually exist to boost productivity in the workplace. Hence, it is necessary to develop informal relationships with your coworkers that exist beyond the desk. You can try going on short road trips or mini picnics to develop a stronger bond.

Relate to Your Colleague

Break your skeptical attitude 

The people from Gen X are often said to have a typical stereotype mindset. Even if you have been an employee who was with the company since its inception and have watched its phenomenal growth, do not act like an individual who is difficult to talk to or has a strong sense of cynicism. As you belong to the middle generation of workers, become a bridge between the youngsters and older colleagues and keep sarcasm out of it.

Break Skeptical Attitude

Whenever you have a chance to learn new things, grab the opportunity instead of lamenting 'I am too old for it now'. Even if you failed to get the outcome, you will be glad that you at least made an attempt. If you want to see your career progressing, it's time to get started. Stop giving excuses and learn to adapt. Instead of being critical, assimilate these minor changes in your professional life.

Have you decided to follow your inclinations and start a fresh in a career that is entirely different from your current one? While suddenly shifting your career after having set a strong foothold in the current one can put any person a few years back. In that case, taking appropriate steps can help in smoothing out the process. Changing present career to finance after having spent almost half your life cannot only give you jitters, but also make your mind go buzzing with thoughts and unending questions. The finance industry offers individuals new challenges and at the same time gives them a chance to reap in the benefits with the help of incentives and compensations. If you are wondering whether it is a right time to take the decision, and if you should really make the switch, go through the points listed below to get a clear idea about the steps to be taken.

Career Change to Finance

Develop finance skills 

As you are planning to step into a new field, it is going to be a walk in no man's land. Therefore, you should first get information about required skills of the finance profession. When you have almost made your mind to take the leap, ensure that you have complete knowledge on how finance and accounting works. In addition to this, you should be proficient in using computer and must have the ability to handle various software applications. Also, an individual aspiring to make a career in the finance field must have good interpersonal and communication skills.

Do research 

Before taking a career jump, ensure that you examine the situation from all angles and avoid making mistake. Do a thorough research and collect maximum information. This will help you in assessing yourself. If it is possible, contact those professionals who are already working in this field or have similar job profiles and understand the kind of work entailed. Talking to them will clear your queries and also give an idea about how the tasks are carried out in a real world. One of the most important factors of career change is the ability to build a strong network and tend these professional friendships.

Take informational interviews

It often happens that individuals working in a field are more than happy to help others and speak profusely about their profession. When you get a chance to interact with professionals from the finance field, grab the opportunity to conduct informational interviews. This will give you a small insight into the finance industry as well as help you know information that otherwise may not be accessible. Also, be sure to come prepared for interview so that you can ask intelligent questions to the interviewer.

Assess yourself 

Many people opt for a career change due to trivial reasons such as bored with their present work, they dislike being pointed on mistakes by seniors, or were never truly interested in the field. Therefore, before you start working in any profession, it is extremely important to know likes and dislikes and do some self-introspection. You should understand if you are really interested in finance to continue with it for the rest of life. It is also necessary to whether you possess the needed qualifications and skills. If not, are you willing to take the steps to learn them and bridge the gap. At such a juncture, you can also go for online assessment tests and even consult a career coach if you are shaky about the decision.

Even if switching a career when you have reached the pinnacle of your career can seem a wrong decision to others, you should not be afraid to make the transition if you are determined and are willing to work hard for it. Your transferable skills, research and a strong network can help in making a smooth transition in this new field.

Are you opting for a career change? It can happen due to two reasons – going for a  totally different career field by choice, or you want to take on new challenges. Whatever be your cause for switching career, the first thing you need to do is write a fresh and relevant resume. Before you do, understand that using the same methods to draft it that landed you an established job would not be sufficient now. As hiring managers have limited attention span, it is necessary to put your best foot forward and market yourself appropriately. Following tips give an insight on how to write a good career change resume and secure a job in a new field.

Career Change Resume

Create a strong first impression

Take efforts to write a captivating cover letter. It is the first thing that the hiring managers are going to read. It gives you a chance to convey how the past work history and skills make you a suitable candidate for the job. Even if you have little or nil experience of the new field, and are competing against individuals who have worked in a similar background, the cover letter is an opportunity to stress on how you can achieve an effective transition in the new role.

Mention Transferable skills

Understand the role by reading the job description. Analyze skills you have gained relevant to the new position that can convey you as a perfect match for the role. For example, if you have decided to move from the team leader to teacher, find out the things that are common in both the profession. It could be strong presentation skills, ability to convey your thoughts in simple language and capacity to hold attention of audience. To compare your skills with the applied job, use these resume samples.

Use a resume objective 

An objective can be used in top section of your document to specify the type of job you are looking for. While this statement is going to be about you, its main purpose is to sell yourself to the hiring managers. Write an eye-catching objective statement that helps recruiters connect the dots and make them understand how your previous career has given you skills that are apt for the new job.

Decide on format 

There are many types of resume formats available. When you are switching to a new field, it is important to revamp your resume as per a specific format that is most convenient to you. It could be a chronological resume in which your past work experience is highlighted in reverse order along with a qualification summary. Or it can be a functional resume where priority is given to your experience and skills rather than the organization you have worked for. One can also use a combination of both the types to make the right impact.

Mention valuable experiences 

Include the description about key projects that helped you develop transferable skills. It can be training or volunteer work you have done in the previous company. If you have little experience of the new field, emphasize work done beyond the office hours. For example, if you are working at a customer care center and are looking forward to moving in website design, include the website you might have designed for a local restaurant during your graduation years. Demonstrate your passion for the new career and tell how you have made use of opportunities to improve your skills.

Do not include unnecessary information 

You might have worked in a variety of projects in the past, but not all should be included on the resume. Even if you have accomplished many tasks in your previous organization, highlight only those that are relevant to the new field.

A career change can occur when there is a scarcity of jobs in the current industry, increased competition, or no progress in the pursued field. Regardless of any reason, an individual must concentrate on writing a proper career change resume that is bound to catch the recruiter's attention and make him/her fix an interview.

When you opt for a different position in your field or have decided to switch your career, a cover letter can play a huge role in securing a job. Since you are shifting to a completely new domain, you may not have the relevant experience required for the job profile. This is where you can use your cover letter to exhibit your strengths and make the most of the opportunity. However, you must know how to capitalize on your transferable skills and convince the hiring manager on why you are the best fit for the job.



A cover letter's objective is to demonstrate why you qualify for a particular position. However, when you are changing your field, you must focus on points that will help you rise above experienced candidates. In this type of cover letter, you should stress on your transferable skills that will be useful in your new position. Apart from this, you must state your superior performances for which you were applauded in a former field. And last but not the least, express your passion for the new role. Writing an effective career change cover letter can help you communicate your desire to work in a particular industry the right way. You can refer to following cover letter format to convince your employer.

Full Name
Residential Address
City, State, Zip code
Contact Information -
Phone number
Email Address

Date

Recruiter Name
Company Name
Address
City, State, Zip code

Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms (Hiring Manager name)

It is with great interest and zeal that I am responding to “Production Manager” job opening posted on your company's website. I firmly believe that the abilities and skills that I have developed in my career, until now, can help me in handling responsibilities of the job position. The opportunity which your organization has presented seems very appealing, and I think my proficiency at handling projects makes me a suitable candidate for the role.

I am currently working as a (specify your position) for (state your company's name). I have interacted with people from various departments and public authorities. Because of this, my communication skills have been polished, and I have a better understanding on what needs to be done to ensure things are fulfilled as per client's demand.

In fact, I have recently received the (specify the name of the award)  because of my ability to coordinate with cross-functional teams, accomplish projects according to client's expectations and within a set deadline. My other areas of expertise include -

Problem solving skill

Termed as a useful resource known to keep calm for solving complex problems and making key decisions at crucial points.

Efficient planner and organizer

Have an established track record of handling multiple tasks and prioritizing assignments to meet deadlines. Capable of meeting goals to achieve the company's objective.

Team player 

Described as a competent member of my team who is willing to take extra efforts to achieve company target.

Self starter 

Highly motivated employee and a quick learner who always wants to improve and focus on self-development.

I am assured that my experience and set of skills that I have gained in previous jobs meet your expectations for this role. Hereby, attached is my resume for further information about experience. I am hoping that you find me interesting enough to set up face-to-face appointment. I am sure I will be a valuable member of your team. I believe in your company's motto, and it goes in alignment with my personal and professional values.

You can reach me anytime on my contact number to set up our meeting date as per your convenience. Thank you for taking out time for reading my application. Looking forward to your response and speaking on length about the job opportunity.

Sincerely,

Full Name

The cover letter must not contain the same points that you intend to elaborate in your resume. When you are writing a career change cover letter, try to manipulate how your experience can suit the new position. Include transferable skills and competencies that showcase why you as the right candidate for the position to the employer.

There comes a time when ones get bored doing the same job repeatedly and the person start experiencing a strong urge to switch profession. However, what stands as an obstacle in the transition is the questions you have to answer for career change. Since you are starting fresh, employers are concerned about lack of experience and commitment towards the new field. That's where convincing the interviewer that you have made a right decision gets difficult. The best way to relieve employers of their concern is to be ready with answers that can explain your career change decision clearly. Go through the below points to mitigate employers' worries. You can also include your own interpretations, circumstances, and phrases that would relate your situation.

Prepare well for the interview

Before you think about a career change, spend maximum time and effort looking into and finding out about the profession in detail. Discuss about the career with those who are in this field. It will help to gain practical knowledge, and you shall understand how to make the professional switch. The career change which you have made previously is revealed in your resume. Doesn't matter whether the switch is current or in the past, disclose the interviewer the work you did and why that decision of your career change does make a sense for the future.

Show that you are flexible and easily adaptable to new conditions

Explain to the interviewer, the work you did in the previous job and the skills you have gained. For instance, if you were a part of a project in which you gained understanding as a team player, describe how the teamwork made you a better person. If you have supervised others, then speak about monitoring and observation skills. Other skills such as correspondence, critical thinking and data investigation may also be very valuable in your new work profile. Go through the job description you want and make a list of all the matching characteristics and skills you presently possess. Be prepared for a situation during the interview in which you have to discuss about how your experience can be beneficial for your current job applied.

Future oriented

The current situation in the job market provokes individuals to think about a career switch. Upgradation in technology and failing businesses can sometimes make a new career. The most ideal approach to maintain your professional life intact is to move forward. You may also think that it is necessary to take a reverse step when you are thinking of changing profession. You should be able to make the interviewer aware that all of your movements related to career were done deliberately, and you firmly trust that the outcome will be in your favor. Talking about these nuances in an interview enables the company recruiter to understand that you have made these steps for a strong purpose.

“Change” as an opportunity

One of the major ways to succeed in a career change interview is to promote your capacity to adjust to change effortlessly. Employers usually don't prefer people who are hesitant to change; they are looking for candidates who consider 'change' as an opportunity. Their are many high paying career opportunities as well if you adapt it easily. Candidates who are adaptable and versatile are esteemed in the workforce. If the previous career change has occurred several years ago, discuss about the positive aspects of focusing on the new profession.

Keep the following points in mind while attending a career change interview. Show that you are enthusiastic about the job and ready to put in all the efforts to achieve success. Also, address their worries about your capabilities and dedication by stressing why the change makes well for your skills, passion, and goals.

Teaching is a noble profession. Its helps in making professionals, an abled society, and a strong economy for the nation. It also helps people to pick the right type of career matching to their skills and interest. As a teacher, you can help many to take up a profession that suits their caliber. Your teaching abilities can help to build a good society and economy of the country. After all, it is teachers who make engineers, doctors, actors, singers, dancers, scientists, and many other professionals.

However, despite enjoying the teaching profession, it has been noticed that many teachers are leaving their jobs and opting for a change. The reasons for such an act could be several. It is understood that humans are more inclined towards a change, be it in personal lives or profession. This may happen to any one even after having a successful teaching career.
Something that is good about teaching profession is that teachers can use the same skills for a career change. They can easily get involved in any work environment due to proficiency in written and verbal communication. So if you are a teacher and looking towards a career change, then, please go ahead and set your expectations realistically. You can easily make a smooth transition owing to these skills and qualities:

• Ability to work independently and in a team
• Excellent time management skills that you gained from teaching experience 
• Skilled in communicating with children, adults, and people from different background 
• Outstanding leadership qualities

So, if you want a change in your career, use your teaching skills and experience in a different manner than you were using it in the classroom. This practice will help in finding a suitable career option. Following are some of the careers for which a teacher can opt for:

School Librarian

It will require some additional efforts for learning Library science. If you love children and want to be surrounded by them even in the new job, then this is the best option for you and that too without the need of after hours working as in the teaching job.

School Counselors 

This is another rewarding career for you, especially if you love to work with and for children. In this profession, you can help students and their parents in gaining admission to school and selecting the right course. Of course, you will need to conduct a counseling session first to analyze students' skills and interest.

Teacher Trainer

You can best utilize your teaching experience in training teachers. Since you have already worked as a teacher, there couldn't be another good person than you for the training job. You can even share your real-life experiences with trainees, share your knowledge of how to work on students' strength and weaknesses, and develop an interesting curriculum.

Content writers

You can use your writing skills for generating articles for websites and blogs. Since you already have a fair knowledge of different subjects, you can be a versatile writer. The best part about content writing job is, you can work from home as a freelancer.

Technical writers

To become a technical writer you may need to gain some additional knowledge. Your role will include writing requirements specifications, user guides and manuals for different software or products, which will be used by working individuals or end users.

Writer or editor

You can easily make a transition from teachers' profession to a writer's or editor since publishing industry are always on a hunt for people who can write, edit, and proofread articles. Whether you choose to work with online or offline publication company, you can use your written communication skills and knowledge of English grammar for generating articles for the internet, newspaper, magazines, newsletters, and journals.

In addition to these career change options, there are many other such as sales, management and human resources, non-profit organizations, and government agencies where you can find an employment.

By now, you must have understood that there are many career options available for you than just teaching in a classroom. If you are ready for a change or thinking to switch your profession, don't wait long and try in any one of the careers mentioned above.

Change is a part of life, and it can occur at any point. No matter how carefully you have planned for your career, there comes a time when you feel suffocated from being in the same profession for years. You become restless and experience a deep urge to try your hands on a new career. Many are going through this same feeling. In fact, more than 50% of working professionals in the United States are ready to jump ship. They are eager for a new career that can offer them all the freedom to fulfill their ambitions. However, changing a career at mid-life is not easy. It should provide you for your daily needs, medical, and retirement. If you are desperate to take the leap, you have to look at these top 5 high paying jobs so that your transition doesn't go wrong.

Social Media Manager 

Whether one is a student, or a working person, he or she never fails to spend a few hours either chatting, sharing, or updating their status on the social networking sites. These people may not be a tech-savvy, but they have mastered the usage of social media like a professional due to their addiction to it. They use Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Instagram for sharing interesting details or personal things. What they don't understand is, their addiction can give them a lucrative career. Yes! Many companies want people who can use online social media to promote their brand, have real-time conversation with customers, pitch in catchy phrases to attract customers, and manage social media account.


If you have been using social media for sharing stories, facts, opinions, and commenting on tweets and posts, you can become a social media manager. You just need to look at the company's social media strategies and use your creativity for sales and promotion. The annual paycheck you will draw by working as a social media manager in any company will be as high as $74K and as low as $27K, depending on the city and state you are employed in.

Market Research Analyst

If you are bored with the field sales job and want to spend the remaining life working inside an  office, then a market research analyst career is a good option. In fact, this career has taken a boom in the recent years and is projected to grow. All you will need is prior experience in sales and abilities to collect, analyze, and present data, including drafting data reports. In addition, you need to be inquisitive, business-minded, and do things in an ordered and careful way. There are many market research companies that do collect data on consumer products and draft reports that would usually contain projected growth of that particular product for another 5 or ten years and current market scenarios. The generated reports are then sold to manufacturing companies for thousands of dollars.



If you love working neck depth in data, and taking your own decision, then a market research analyst career is a worthy one for you. This career will give you a median salary of $51K annually.

Freelance Writer

As the Internet has become an easy source for gaining information, demand for freelance writers is growing. If you have the flair in you to write unique, genuine, and informative contents for readers, then there is no comparison to freelance writing. The good thing about becoming a freelance writer is, you can work from your home at your own pace and convenience. Moreover, you can work for one or many companies depending on your choice and writing speed. Your writing skills can be used by several organizations who have websites, blogs, and social media accounts. Furthermore, you can start your own blog in any one particular domain you are expert in. Additionally, you can write for magazines, websites, and market research organizations. However, writing to impress readers or provide information on varied topics they are looking for is not easy. You really have to create your own identify in the freelance writing field. How much will you earn depends on your writing skills and the amount of content you can generate in a day.  You can earn either in six figures or be satisfied fetching around $30 K to 80K annually.

Fundraiser

All organizations, be they related to education, healthcare, or non-profit, need funds. Money is the primary need and essential component for them to survive. If you have the skills to scout, locate, identify, and convince prospective donors to contribute, then you can become a fundraiser. Since making people to donate money for a company's cause is not easy, there is no doubt that the job is not going to be an easy walk. You have to be good at sales, administration, and data. Moreover, you must be comfortable in working with volunteers, donors, and local authorities. The job will need you to develop and sustain relationships with people and organizations. In addition, managing database of donors, scouting for prospective donors, and collecting funds will be the regular activities on the job.


As a fundraiser working for a non-profit or any organization, you will earn a median salary of $50 K annually.

Realtor

If sales and networking have been your forte, then a lucrative career as a Realtor is waiting for you. Since homes and offices are the primary necessities of individuals and organizations, there is no death to the real estate industry. There may be a slowdown in the business though, but continuity is guaranteed since this industry takes care of basic needs of both people and companies. You can earn decently by selling residential and commercial properties for real estate companies and individuals. You just need to complete the formalities required for obtaining a license for the profession. With a license to pursue the profession, you can work independently or for real estate agencies. Moreover, you can work as part-time or full-time. Based on your choice of employment, you can earn a minimum median salary of $36K annually.




These are the top 5 paying joys for you if you are trying for a new career. However, before jumping the ship, perform extensive research, analyze your skills and experience, utilize your network, and then take the decision. If you are not careful in making a decision, it will be difficult for you to get back to your previous occupation since you must have already reached your middle age.

Taking a new career is not an easy walk. Whatever has tempted you to take the step, be ready to face challenges. As you will be treading on a new path, you have to consider turns, curves, and bumps that are on the way. Moreover, changing a career will send you back by many years. You may also find no takers for your skills and experience. You will find yourself at a crossroad from where success will seem far away. As you are turning over a new leaf, you have to do everything from scratch. Right from drafting your resume to marketing yourself and finding employment, you will be all alone. Though you will be eager to prove yourself, convincing hiring authorities for one chance will be like cutting a road through a mountain. And even when you are given a green signal by the employer, several challenges will be craning their neck that will bewilder you and make you regret on your decision. Here are some of the challenges you will face during a career change and how to handle them.

Low income

Competition

Since you are entering into a new field, you will face stiff competition from the younger generation. To match with their energy, knowledge, and skills, you will have to put in extra efforts. And when you are unable to do so, you will get frustrated and feel yourself lost. Your woes will further inflate when you hear them using jargon in verbal and written communication. As you are alien to these terms, you will begin thinking where the hell have you come. To face this challenge, you can start befriending young colleagues and learn their style. You can share your experience and try to learn from them. You can bring change in your lifestyle and enroll yourself in a gym to improve your  stamina and energy. Alternatively, you can also wait after office hours and learn on your own if you really want to make yourself suitable to the new working environment.

Distance and Time related issues

Retraining

As the field is new to you, you have to be trained. Even the company understands this fact and will help you by providing training. However, learning new technology can be tedious for you. As you have already crossed the age where grasping new things was easy, you will need more time to learn than what the company expects from you. The only way to make yourself suitable for the job is by taking classes outside. You can also take help from experienced people within the company. Furthermore, you can utilize weekends and off-days for learning.

Entry-level position

At an age where you must be leading a team or holding a managerial position, working at an entry-level position can be challenging for you. Not only your position, but also your paycheck will be far below by the young graduates starting out. Though your age and previous experience may demand respect, you will receive none at a new workplace. You may also have to report to younger boss and take orders from him or her. You can cope with such challenges thinking yourself as a fresh graduate. Don't bother yourself about your age or the position. Instead, enjoy the new work environment and take inspiration from the younger generation and everything around you.


Shifting from one field to another is never going to be easy. There are bound to be challenges you have to face. You may not even like the present working scenario since there could be many changes in the way you used to work during your younger days, and the present generations do nowadays. So, brace yourself to face the challenges and enjoy your new career.

Expectations play a major role when making a career shift. Coping with the wide career options available in the job market and its requirement is little tough for beginners and experienced. Job satisfaction, good pay package, low pressure of work, etc. are some of the basic expectations a person has while making change over. It's always correct to plan a career change according to expectations, but the fact is they have to be according to the real scenario. The major expectations a person looks for while making a career change is.

Job Satisfaction

The majority of people, may be from any part of a globe needs contentment from the job they do. Primarily, job can be pursued happily if you like the working environment. If the job gives a good exposure according to your desire, you feel satisfied. This also gives a chance to enhance the skills you have.


Job satisfaction is depended on many other factors like position that you hold if you are given proper seniority and leadership time to time, if you have good and helping colleagues, etc. There are always ifs and buts for these expectations when you enter any organization. There are chances that you may not be happy with whatever you get initially, but with patience, you may get it in the future.

Good pay package

Financial planning depends on what your income and outflow you have. If a pay package is good,
your outflow can be managed efficiently, and your planning improves. Mental satisfaction is achieved only if work gives proper remuneration. While making a career change you may not get this initially since you are inexperience, but later on the level of expertise improves, as you can get it.

Less work pressure

Pressure created while working, has a major impact on the individual's work efficiency. Continuous push for work, which is more than individual's capacity, creates dissatisfaction from the work. Eventually, this dissatisfaction may create dislike for the job. Tremendous pressure can create health issues as well. But the reality nowadays is, there is workload everywhere. Always set expectations by considering that work pressure and take measures accordingly while selecting a career change.

Less working hours

Fewer work hours is the major expectation set by everyone. This may help for setting timetable at home, and you may spend more family time. You may also find appropriate time for exercise and personal care. This is possible eventually as experience level grows, but a beginner has to set pragmatic expectations. You may have to wait for extra hours and finish assignment allotted to you. Sometimes you have to accept a job with more work timings and you may not find proper time for your own care. But over the period of time you may balance your work timings with the personal family time.

Other benefits

Job gives a platform for work as well as provides certain benefits to an employee which are other than salary. There may be certain benefits of leave, in which employee may encash the leaves the person has not opted for. Or there may be extra medical leaves, maternity, paternity, etc for the employees welfare in the organization. These leaves play major role of expectations. Benefits can be given in terms of money as well as letters of appreciation.

There may be incentives based on your performance. Also, appreciation letters may be given to employees if they complete certain years of work in organization. This is all availed if few years of experience is achieved.


You, as a beginner often have to work on a probation without medical leave and incentives. These benefits may be given to you after few years of work. You have to wait for benefits and balance yourself without those for some time. Thus, setting realistic expectations.

Expectations and work go hand in hand. But putting them in a realistic manner is essential. Over- expectations at initial phase may ruin your new career and leave you frustrated. Career can be pursued with joy if your expectations are balanced and according to a real scenario.

Can you explain the difference between career and job? Switching from one organization to another in the same field is a job change, whereas, moving from one domain to other is a career change. For instance, a software engineer changing ABC company to XYZ is a job change, but if he/she takes journalism to engineering, then it is a career change.

People need a career change, because either they start developing antipathy towards their job, or they have different plans in their mind. But, is it possible to transform completely from one career to another? Well, it is not impossible, but difficult as it involves serious repercussions. Moreover, you cannot guarantee stability and work comfort in a new career. But, how to recognize the signs that will tell you need a career change?

When You Think You Have Gain Enough Experience in a Particular Sector

It's already been 10 years of working as a tutor in a school. Then, suddenly you start experiencing a feeling of contentment. You start saying to yourself that “I've done enough in this field.” Whatever was there to learn and impart, I have done it diligently and honestly. Besides being contended, you may also long for a change in your career because of boredom. After all, going to the same place and doing the same work for years is so mundane. So when you are contended and bored about your profession, that is the indication that now you need a change.

When There is Drop in Strength and Stamina

You need to be physically strong if you are a construction worker or a mechanical engineer. You have to visit different places often, stand continuously for the whole day, and need to handle heavy equipment at the work-site. But, as you grow old, you start losing capacity to handle this kind of work. You don't have the same kind of strength and power and that affects your productivity. So when age restricts you to do what you are skilled are, it's better to change your career.

When You Think You Can Take Over Family Business

There are some people who take jobs despite having a family business. They do so because they want to create their own identify. Take an example of Donald Trump. Trump's father was in a construction business, and one day they refused Donald's request of taking over his business because he was immature and inexperienced at that time. So, Donald borrowed one million dollar from his father and started working in a construction company to gain experience in that field. After a few years, based upon his experience, he successfully established own construction business and also took over his father's business. Therefore, once you feel qualified, you can switch a career to take over family business.

When You Have a Different Dream

We all have goals in our lives. But there are only a few who achieve it. They put all their efforts towards that goals and finally become successful. Others, who are far away from their dreams, keep procrastinating thinking that one day they will somehow fulfill their dream. Luckily, at one point in their lives, they see a ray of hope. For example, you want to become a wildlife photographer by the age of 30 and are doing a job to raise funds so that you can buy a high-end camera and accessories for a photography career. Then one fine day, you see an advertisement inviting photographs from budding photographers. When such opportunity comes in your way, you mustn't let it go and switch your career.

When There is No Scope for Career in the Future

There is no use sticking to a career that has become stagnant. If you are not progressing either mentally, financially, and emotionally, it's time take to the plunge and switch your career. Before doing so, analyze where the career you have taken is leading you. Try to research all the possibilities and limitations, and take a wise decision.


To change a career is a big decision because you must be versatile to accept the challenges entailed in the new field. It is necessary to do some self-assessment of your skills before changing a career. Taking efforts to know whether you will fit in the new work environment, and how long you can sustain it, is necessary before changing your career.