Change is difficult and making a career change is daunting. But most of the time it doesn’t have to be as difficult as you make it. Because it is a painful process, you tend to want to cut corners and have it over with as soon as possible. This usually leaves out a detailed thought process or planning which not only is a recipe for disaster but actually makes the process last longer. What should that planning look like?
Of course anything is possible but what is the most probable? What is the cleanest, straightest path to a better career? What is the profession that would require the least amount of change to achieve? Will this be a two part change involving leveraging the next job or can you transfer seamlessly in one step?
Market research of the job climate in the city, in which you are living, is very important. With your experience and background what would lend itself to the career you desire? Can you re-brand yourself to work in that career? Do you need more education or experience first? Which would be better or easier to accomplish? Finances do enter into the equation. There is an inverse relationship to the amount of change in your career and the amount of money you can expect. Most of the time you can stay close to the salary you are making, but a major change NEVER garners a bigger income. So IF you have a lot of obligations you may NOT be able to make a change right now. However, you MAY be able to switch companies while doing the same job. You may find a better opportunity that would leverage your salary to a higher pay.
What you must NOT do is pick a company, an industry, or a job posting and then talk about everything that you have ever done and hope that they can figure it out for you. That confounds any chance you had at being hired. The cart cannot go before the horse. Do your homework and research which experience would be most likely to win that position. Enlist the help of a professional. If this is a one-time thing and you don’t want to have to learn the process then it makes perfect fiscal sense to have someone help you. But whatever you decide to do, make a plan first, and stick to it. You are more likely to hit a target that you have set, than just randomly throwing darts.