Dont Allow Unhappiness to Hijack Your Career Path

Dont Allow Unhappiness to Hijack Your Career Path Many people are unhappy with their jobsperhaps theirsalary does not meet expectations, or they have not advancedas quickly as they would have liked, or they have wanted to leave but job prospects elsewhere have been slim. Faced with such situations, theymay decide that the only solution is to start from scratch in an entirely new career. However, a mid-career switch can be very risky, especially in a down economy. That brand new life could end up being a costly mistake.Not only could sucha move potentially require additional schooling and training, but it also returnsthe individual totheground floor, in terms of their role in the company. New-career job seekers quickly find that age and life experience will do little to get them beyond the entry level. On average, individuals who change careers can lose 20-50 percent of their former income on the n ew job. It can take an average of 5-10 years to get back to the former salary level after changing careers.The more years the individual has invested in a career, the longer it takes to equal the former salary in their new career. Career jumpersmay face significant lifestyle changes whenaccepting a salary reduction, and they are at an immediate disadvantage when it comes to competing for jobs.Employers cannot afford or are otherwise loathe to spend time and money on extensive training. When someone is hired to fill a lage, they areexpected to immediately begin contributing. Put briefly job experience is valued more than age and life experience.Even if the hypothetical career malcontent is able to move to another field, theycan expect to be outclassed by more experienced competition. Also, lower salary and on-the-job status arelikely to be a source of discontent over the long run, which could adversely affect job performance. This is why those who wish to make mid-career switches s hould consider changing industries, not functions.The source of a persons perceived career unhappiness is often not the career itself. It may be a bad boss, or the industry may be in a slump. It may also be that theposition is not challenging enough or lacks direction. Most career problems can usually be solved by moving to a new company and/or new industry. Most people need to find a new environment and start somewhere with a clean slate.In most areas, it is viable for people to transfer their functional skills to another industry and be accepted by that industry at competitive salary rates. From the employers standpoint, industry hoppersbring fresh perspectives to the more staid industry traditions. They may see situations differently and suggest new solutions.