How to Change Careers This Year

If you are dreaming of a new career in 2009, but worried that the current economy could make your dream an impossible one, the good news is that a career change is possible this year.

Here is a selection of career experts' best tips for anyone who wants to change careers in 2009:

Ask the right people for advice
"If you're thinking about changing jobs, the last person with whom you should consult is someone who loves you. They'll want to hold you tight and protect you from taking any risk." -- Irena Chalmers, author of "Food Jobs: 150 Great Jobs for Culinary Students, Career Changers and Food Lovers"

"Do your friends keep you down? Do your friends consistently come up with reasons why you shouldn't change careers? A bucket of crabs doesn't need a lid on it because as one crab nears the top, the other crabs will pull it back down. Sometimes your best career strategy is to begin to hang out with more positive people and limit your time with Debbie Downer." -- Jennifer Loud Ungar, president, Career Moves

"Find a mentor. Contact mentorship organizations and your alumni association to interview (yes, interview) prospective mentors to guide you through your transition. Just because someone has great credentials doesn't mean they're going to make a great mentor. They must exude passion for their work and be able to effectively communicate their expertise to you." -- Brian Kurth, founder of VocationVacations and author of "Test-Drive Your Dream Job: A Step-By-Step Guide to Finding and Creating the Work You Love"

Network effectively

"Expand your network inside and outside your company. Many workers are caught flat-footed when they lose their jobs; they have to start networking from scratch to find another position. Smart people keep in touch with contacts in their industry and use their spare time to volunteer for projects that build skills and credibility." -- Candace Moody, WorkSource Corporate Communications

"Schedule a weekly coffee date with somebody new. Contact somebody with whom you would like to build a professional relationship. Call that person and be sincere in your request to simply meet for a short, mutually beneficial sharing of ideas, thoughts and strategies for career success. Ask them questions and listen. For a $3 coffee, you can learn incredible information and build powerful connections for future career opportunities." -- Mark Mikelat, speaker and founder of Building Aspirations

"Join the professional association that serves the job type you want to move to. Get active. Show your character and competence. Listen generously. Absorb the language and culture of your new career cohorts so when you get a job interview you come off like an insider." -- Lynne Waymon, co-author of "Make Your Contacts Count" and co-founder of Contacts Count

Spread the word
"Activate your network and get the word out. What good is a contact if you don't contact them? When you are on the job hunt, work the phone from eight to five just like a full-time job." -- David Lewis, author of "The Emerging Leader: Eight Lessons for Life in Leadership"

"Everyone should have a personal business card for networking -- they're relatively inexpensive to have professionally printed. Carry them with you wherever you go -- you never know who you will meet where. People change jobs more often than they change residences so if someone has your personal contact info, they will always be able to get in touch with you." -- Donna Cardillo, author of "The Ultimate Career Guide for Nurses"

Make a great impression
"In a tight economy there is no room for error. Competition is fierce. Your résumé and cover letter must be flawless -- no typos, no form letter, etc. You must be well-prepared for all interviews and networking meetings -- know the company, their business and current events and have specific questions prepared." -- Lynne Sarikas, director of the MBA career center at Northeastern University's College of Business Administration

Finally, here is our advice for making a great impression when you are changing careers:

To avoid being seen by employers as a "wannabe," learn as much as you can about the career before you start applying. Some ways to learn about a new career include: arranging informational interviews with people working in the career, attending meetings of professional associations, taking courses and reading books about the career.

Then get some hands-on experience related to the career. Don't worry about the job-hunter's dilemma (to get a job you need experience, but to get experience you need a job). There are ways to get experience before you get the job. In fact, having experience will help you move into the career you want much more quickly at a higher rate of pay.

Ways to get experience before you start applying for your dream job include: volunteer your services (to a department in your company, family and friends, or a nonprofit organization), do an internship (even if you are an older worker), take a part-time, entry-level position or start your own part-time business.

If you learn as much as you can about the career before you apply for a job, employers are much more likely to see you as skilled, knowledgeable, experienced and someone they want to hire.

Tag and Catherine Goulet are founders of FabJob.com, a publisher of career guides offering step-by-step advice for breaking into a variety of dream careers. Visit www.FabJob.com to find the guide to your dream career.

by Tag and Catherine Goulet, FabJob.com

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