On Being Resourceful

A successful transition to a new career can require introspection and hard work. Here are some resources you might consider:

Career & personality tests: Numerous assessments exist online and offline. Tests have become more sophisticated and helpful in recent years. For example, the Campbell Interest and Skill Survey (https://www.profiler.com/cgi-bin/ciss/moreform.pl?client=ncs&page=intro) will walk you through a series of questions--in this case well over 300--and provide insights into how well you might fit into various occupations. CISS, for example, costs only $18. Check out my book, "Finding the Work You Love," for a more comprehensive list of assessments.

Career Counseling: A good career counselor can guide you through the rough and tumble process of assessing personal values and desires and making sense out of how and where they fit. This person can also provide insights into different careers and what they're really like. You may decide to participate in one-on-one counseling or group sessions. These meetings usually take place in one or two hour increments. The counselor will help you develop a strategy, develop an effective resume, and understand what's needed for work-life balance.

Career Coach: Think of a career coach as a combination professional consultant, cheerleader, and personal trainer. A good coach can help you achieve the mental state required to land the career and job of your dreams. This person may provide practical information as well. Make sure you find someone who is qualified and experienced. It's wise to find a professional through an organization like the National Career Development Association (NCDA), which issues accreditations and certifications. As with hiring any professional, it's also wise to check references.

Therapist: A qualified psychologist or therapist can help you work through mental roadblocks and fears--as well as the stress of making a career change. This person isn't going to be able to provide the hands-on advice of a career counselor, but he or she can help you understand yourself better and help you reach personal goals. A therapist can also help if you're facing other hardships, including death of a partner, divorce, or any other personal problem.

The common theme here? However you decide to approach a career change, it's vital to get in touch with yourself. The more you know and the better connected you are to what drives you...the greater the odds of finding the work you love.