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Career :  Choose a Career

Ten questions to ask yourself before making a big move.

There comes a point in life, everyone feels overworked, underpaid and restless. So, we figure it's time to make changes. But beware--hasty decisions don't always produce desirable results. Although a variety of jobs on your resume can make you look well-rounded, too much job hopping will make you look unfocused and unreliable. Here are ten questions to ask yourself before you contemplate a job or career change:

1. What's wrong with my current situation?
   It's important to closely analyze your present job. Is your boss bugging you? Are you unhappy with your salary? Do you really just need a vacation? Figure out what's really bothering you before you make any big changes. Then you can either resolve the issues at your current job or, if you do need a career change, avoid making the same mistakes in your next job.
   
   
2. What do I want from my next job?
   Deciding what you want before you go out looking for a new job is really the only way you can ensure you'll get what you want. Do you want to switch from sales because you're tired of dealing with people? Or is the pressure of making quotas weighing on you? Depending on what the reasons are, you can figure out what to look for in your next job.
   
   
3. What am I capable of doing?
   When you're looking for a job, your eye must be on the employer. That focus will allow you to market yourself specifically to a company, field or career. If you have exceptional language skills, a multi-national will probably be a better target for you than a local company. By focusing on a potential employer, you can narrow down the number of companies and businesses to target.
   
   
4. What will employers let me do based on my past experience?
   Answering this question allows you to gauge how a potential employer will perceive you. If you are looking for a total career change, it will help you highlight the relevant parts of your experience. For example, if you're an accountant and want to become a journalist, highlight the fact that you have freelanced over the years instead of pointing to the complicated ledgers you mastered while working in finance.

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