In addition, be prepared for the transition itself. “The financial stresses of changing jobs should be considered,” Horwitz emphasizes. This can be particularly daunting if switching to a sales job heavy on commission with little or no salary. “If you know you might have a few weeks to a few months where you will not be pulling in a paycheck, it’s important to prepare and plan.”
A drastic career change involving a new function or industry brings its own challenges, such as a loss of expert status within a field. “It is crucial for a leader changing careers to be able to navigate a new work culture, build consensus, and unite common interests,” reports Fragoso. “This may require keeping ego in check early on. Many are not prepared for the sizable learning curve that might take place in such a drastic transition. It is important to recognize the difficulty of transitioning to a new industry position, and work at garnering support through that process.”
#10 – Am I Sure?
Even after all the research and thought put into a decision, it’s still a good idea to perform a final ‘gut check.’ “There’s a big burnout factor in the industry,” states Cutler. “The hours are long, it’s a very high-stress industry, you’re on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and you’re dealing with perishables and logistics.”
Manfre-Gross echoes Stoiber in saying, “There’s always going to be an element of risk. Know what those risks are and be prepared to deal with them if they come.”
Despite the challenges, a surprising number of executives have—after careful consideration—experienced positive career changes. “I would say we look at career changers in a more understanding light as of late,” notes Horwitz. “The days of someone staying their whole career with one company have long passed.”
Image: ©iStock.com/Zerbor
