Job hunting can be a long and arduous process. Even though the recession seems to be winding down we must keep the motto, “always looking for a job!”  A job search can be described as an emotional roller coaster from “the highest highs” to “the lowest lows.” One must stand ready to continue to look for the next golden path.  It is easy to get discouraged and stalled in the job search process.

Career transition may be the answer to a stalled job search.  The question then becomes:  what kind of job do I want to transition into too?  Can I continue with what I have been doing? Or, do I need to completely reinvent myself?  At any given time, the job market is competitive with more applicants than jobs. Whole industries have disappeared and new ones have sprung to life.  The market of the last five years has proven that it is constantly changing. How do you change with it?

Although, every job hunt is different and should be geared towards you individually, a typical transition can often be predictable. There are some definite steps that each person should consider to successfully negotiate a career transition.

First, you must assess yourself. What skills do you have?  Of those skills, which do you value the most?  What environment do you want to see yourself in everyday?  Did your last position answer any of these questions satisfactorily?  Your individual assessment can help you determine what motivates you to be successful; what defines your personality style; and where your interests lie.

There are many tools available for assessment. For little or no cost, it is possible to take a battery of tests or surveys that will help you determine the direction you should consider taking in your career.  Many community colleges offer help with career testing.  As well, they offer individual assessment with trained personnel to assist you in making a good decision.  Knowing yourself will help you determine a clear direction.

 The next step is to explore your range of options. In this step it is important to remove your “blinders” and clearly review your interests. This step requires some creativity and courage as it will take you into places you may have avoided in the past. Since, at this point in your career transition, you are not just looking for a job; you are looking for information to make a good decision.  Therefore, your networking should be more informational. Consider your efforts to be a field research exercise.  Use your network to gather information to help you determine your career goals.

The third step is to determine the “what and why” of your plan.  What specific career goals have you selected?  The more specific you are the better. Use your field research information, and your personal assessments to “name” yourself. It is important at this point to identify the “why”.  Why is this career goal the best option for you?  Challenge yourself to find clear and compelling evidence that shows why a change to this career path works for you.  Consider how this fits with your values and motivation.

The fourth step is perhaps the most time consuming and maybe even frustrating. You must develop a plan to achieve your goal.  How will you get there?  When will each step occur?  Who else needs to be involved in your plan?

Once you have gone through this process and have successfully answered the questions of what, why, how, when, and who; then you are ready to move ahead with your plan and make a successful career transition.