Changing to Your Dream Job? Be Patient.

Photo by caspermoller

Career change takes a while.

That's my big declaration today. If you can dream it, do it...but please be patient.

I don't mean to be a bummer and rain on your parade. I really want you to go for that career change. I just want you to keep these things in mind (inspired by this piece on CareerJournal.com):

1. Every dream has its gestation period.

Whether your career change dream has more in common with a chipmunk (31 days to get a new one of these) or an elephant (it's 645 days before this one shows up), you will experience a delay between the moment you want a new career and the moment you get one.

2. Build on your existing skills and network of contacts.

No need to throw out the baby with the bath water. Leverage what you've done and who you know.

3. Plan in phases.

Keep your day job for as long as you can while you work on your career change on the side. This might mean volunteering on a nonprofit board, or taking on a couple of photography clients on the weekends, or studying for the GRE.

4. Fully explore what you're getting into.

We all have our ideas of what other people do, but how accurate are they? Is advertising really a glamorous industry? Is writing children's books really all about inspiring kids? Can you make a living wage as a horticulturist?

Talk to people who are doing what you want to do and grill them, ever so nicely. Find out the dark side of what you are dreaming about. Can you handle the dark side? Is it smaller than the sexy aspects?

5. Find ways to keep your dream alive during the gestation period.

You're going to feel impatient, and you're going to feel tempted to quit. Who or what will keep you going? Plan who you'll call when you're feeling discouraged. Create a visual reminder of your dream and put it on your wall (and look at it).

Changing careers is more like a marathon than a sprint, so it's wise to plan accordingly. This means pacing yourself, keeping your energy up, and understanding the peaks and valleys that are a natural part of the journey.

If you have completed a career change, I would love to hear your story in the comments!

Heather Mundell
Dream Big Coaching Services
www.dreambigcoaching.com
heather@dreambigcoaching.com

Comments

[Andrea Sigetich]

I enjoyed this post -- wondered why there was a photo of an elephant and I was enticed to read further! A good analogy! I also find, in addition to the great advice that Heather gives us, step one can be a long time coming! To even move forward with a career move, we need to give ourselves permission to dream; to suspend reality for a while so we can envision a new career; to gain clear knowledge about our strengths, passions, and values, so we begin to dream in alignment with who we are.

[Alexandra Levit]

I saw that article too. The messages gel really well with the book I just released, How'd You Score That Gig?. One thing I noticed in interviewing over 100 people with their dream jobs is that they all possess major patience and persistence.

Best,

Alexandra Levit
Author, How'd You Score That Gig?
Blogger, Water Cooler Wisdom
http://alexandralevit.typepad.com

[GL HOFFMAN]

Nice post, Heather. Just found you. I will visit often from now on...best, GL HOFFMAN
minneapolis.

[GL HOFFMAN]

Nice post, Heather. Just found you. I will visit often from now on...best, GL HOFFMAN
minneapolis.

[Marcia Robinson]

Excellent points Heather.

I particularly love that you reminded folks to check out the dark side of the dream career.

At a recent career makeover session, our group had a fun time discussing the myths and dark sides of several "dream" careers.

Tips for doing an informational interview are on my blog at http://bullseyeresumes.blogspot.com.

[Kristen Fischer]

So true about giving things a gestation period. Even if you're impatient. Persistence is key and part of that is knowing when to wait!

Kristen Fischer
Author of Ramen Noodles, Rent and Resumes: An After-College Guide to Life

[Heather Mundell]

Thanks everyone for adding to the discussion in the comments! Patience and persistence are underrated in our "Get It Now" society, yet as Alexandra Levit points out from her research, they're still very much required.