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&lt;!--StartFragment--&gt;&lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;Apple-style-span&quot;&gt;In today’s job market, some people would call you crazy for switchingcareers.&#160; Most people are glad to evenhave a job, much less rock the boat by switching one.&#160; But sometimes changing careers is like an itch—you just gotto scratch.&#160; The trick is scratchingat the right time.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;Apple-style-span&quot;&gt;It’s risky switching careers—will you find a job?&#160; Will you succeed in your newfield?&#160; Will you like it?&#160; But there’s also a bit ofexcitement—you’re moving to something more fulfilling.&#160; You’re changing pace.&#160; You’re reaching your potential.&#160; Reasons to switch careers can be plenty—somegood, some petty.&#160; But before youmake the switch, ask yourself three preliminary questions:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ol&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;Apple-style-span&quot;&gt;&#160;&#160;Whatdo I want to do?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;Apple-style-span&quot;&gt;&#160;&#160;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;Apple-style-span&quot;&gt;Whatdo I like doing?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;Apple-style-span&quot;&gt;&#160;&#160;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;Apple-style-span&quot;&gt;Whatam I good at doing?&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ol&gt;&lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;Apple-style-span&quot;&gt;Seriously, answer these questions.&#160; Write them down.&#160;Make a list.&#160; Once you’vefound your answers, you know what direction you’re headed.&#160; And now that you know what directionyou’re headed, the following steps will help make your career switch run alittle smoother:&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;ol&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;Apple-style-span&quot;&gt;Have a plan.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;Apple-style-span&quot;&gt;&#160; This includes a timeline, a budget and a method ofattack.&#160; If you quit today anddon’t know what you’re doing tomorrow, you haven’t switched careers; you’vebecome a statistic in the unemployment line.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;Apple-style-span&quot;&gt;Know your reasons.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;Apple-style-span&quot;&gt;&#160; Hating your job isn’t enough.&#160; If you hate your job or boss, first lookat different positions within your field.&#160;You may find something you like.&#160;The same goes for money.&#160;Who cares about making bank when you dread every waking hour between clock-inand clock-out?&#160; But switching to afield where you can utilize your talents, and grow within the company and as aperson?&#160; &lt;/span&gt;&lt;em&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;Apple-style-span&quot;&gt;That’s&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;Apple-style-span&quot;&gt; a good reason to change.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;Apple-style-span&quot;&gt;Do your homework.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;Apple-style-span&quot;&gt;&#160; Look at what your best potentials arefor a new career.&#160; (Answers from theprelim questions come in handy here.)&#160;Don’t be afraid to explore new career fields.&#160; When you find something you like, talk to people in thatfield.&#160; Network.&#160; Find out what they like and what theydon’t.&#160; It could sway yourdecision.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;Apple-style-span&quot;&gt;Look in the mirror.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;Apple-style-span&quot;&gt;&#160; Do you have what it takes to enter yournew field?&#160; Do you have the skillset?&#160; Newspaper editor to magazineeditor isn’t a big jump.&#160; Butgarbage man to CPA will require more prep time and skill development.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;li&gt;&lt;strong&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;Apple-style-span&quot;&gt;Update your skills.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;Apple-style-span&quot;&gt;&#160; Once you found your new career, makesure you’re up to scratch.&#160; You’llbe competing with people who’ve worked in that field for years.&#160; Make sure you have the skills you needto survive and thrive once you land your potential-fulfilling job.&#160; If you need to, take a class or two atyour local community college.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;&lt;/ol&gt;&lt;p class=&quot;MsoNormal&quot;&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;Apple-style-span&quot;&gt;Like scratching an itch, switching careers can feel greatand be very fulfilling.&#160; Just becareful not to take the plunge without checking the waters.&#160; Doing your homework, doing a self-checkwill make your career switch less rocking of the boat and more smoothsailing—even in this market.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Russell Shaffer

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