If you are planning for a career change, the entire process may prove to be a bit quite challenging for you initially. The process will be easier if you have a clear roadmap showing you where you have been, the point you are right now, and where you are headed. It is true that every individual’s career compass is different from the others. However, there are several considerations that if you follow prior to a major career change will smooth the process. If you need more assistance, you can seek suggestions from an experienced Houston therapist who offers career counseling.

Get Answers to Some Questions and Choose the Right Career Path

Getting appropriate answers to a couple of questions can help those looking for a career change. Some of the questions that you can ask yourself prior to changing your career have been enumerated below:

1. What prompted you to want a change?

When you have decided to change your career, you should ask yourself about what motivated you to look for a change. List at least 5 distinct reasons you are seeking a change..

2. What are your talents?

When you have an inclination towards doing something and at the same time have the ability to do it, it will be treated as your talent. You should find your specific talent before changing career. There are a few talents that show up in youth, while the others gradually come to the surface with time at the workplace.

3. What are you Temperamentally Suited to do?

Try to find if the career you want to choose suits your personality and temperament. If it does not, it is better not to select that career. There are a number of profiles that a career counselor or psychologist can give you to help better understand how your personality fits with different work environments.

4. Do you possess a realistic outlook on what your experience means with respect to the real professional world?

Imagine that you are a potential employer in your new field. How would the employer view your skills and abilities related to their needs? How can you develop more of the skills needed by the potential employer?.

5. What are the challenges that you have handled?

Your ability to manage difficult situations will be an asset in any career field. Ask yourself, if you had to work with a team, launch a new product in the market, initiate a specific project, and plan a business strategy from conception to implementation – what experiences have you had in the past that would help you do this in the new industry?.

6. What did you learn in Your Previous Job?

Even if you are not happy in your current job or job field, you certainly have learned something of value there. List what you have learned and then prioritize what you learned in terms of the value it would add to the new career area..

7. What preparatory measures will make you suitable for the desired change?

You should find out the education or skill needs for the new career. You may need to start working on new education or skill development well in advance of seeking employment in the new field..

8. Can you tolerate a reduction in salary, what about a change in location?

While changing a career, many people have to take a pay cut. How big a salary reduction could you endure? If you needed to relocate for a new job – how will that impact your life? Your job, though important, is only one aspect of your life – so examine the impact of a change on other life factors.

9. Is there enough room for prosperity in the target industry?

Ask yourself if a job in the targeted industry will provide you with the opportunity to grow professionally.

10. Is there something besides a career change that will lead to greater well being in your life?

Sometimes we may blame a job or career field in general for unhappiness in our lives. Explore other possibilities before making a big change. Perhaps a small change like moving to a different work group, changing departments or different company while doing the same job description will be sufficient. Is the real problem related to a relationship or psychological issue like depression? It is important to rule out other concerns before investing in a career change.

Honest answers to these questions will help you stay on the right track while changing your career. Seeking the assistance of a Houston therapist can be of great help.

Michael Winters is a Psychologist in Houston focusing on marriage counseling and therapy. Michael received his PhD from the University of Memphis and has been practicing since 1991.