If you’re unhappy at your current job, you may be wondering if now is the time to attempt a career change, or if you should stay put until the economy improves. Here are three reasons why I think you should not wait for outside circumstances to change before making the switch.

First, companies are always hiring. At the height of the Great Depression, the unemployment rate was about 18%. A huge percentage to be sure, but it also means that 82% of willing and capable workers were employed. Some of the largest companies in the world got their start during that time. Today is no different. There are thousands of workers hired every day in an average sized city, so why shouldn’t you be one of them?

The second reason to initiate your career change now is that it could take some time. There is some inner work and planning to do first. You may not know what new career to pursue, or what skills you have that can transfer into another career. Then there are the nuts and bolts of the job search to tackle: updating your resume, contacting references, putting out feelers in your network. The longer you wait to begin, the longer you will be stuck in an unfulfilling career.

The third reason to begin your career change now is that you can’t predict the future. Nobody knows when the economic climate will improve. Do you want to place your life and happiness in the hands of outside forces? To do so is to give your power away. Take back your power and take action if you are unsatisfied in your career. It’s much easier to make a change while you are currently employed because you won’t have the extra pressure of your finances weighing you down. And if you decide to do something that involves financial risk, like going into business for yourself, you can start planning for it now when it’s easier to put some money away for the future.

So go ahead. Begin to make that career change now, and with the proper planning, you’ll have a smooth transition into a great new adventure.

To your success!

Allison

Filed under: Making the Switch