1.   Know why you want that career change. Obviously, you’re struggling to find fulfillment in your current career, but why is that? Regular long hours? Unsatisfying? Are you being underpaid for your level? Knowing the exact reason(s) why you want to switch careers will help you avoid the same problems in your next career.

• Avoid taking the slightest opportunity to quit a career. Make an informed decision about your future and then plan accordingly.

 
2.   Be conscious of what you want. According to research, people tend to generally like their work. For the most part, the actual job isn’t very important. Instead, the license to be innovative, assisting others and autonomy are some of the major factors. There are several careers out there that can offer you these possibilities.

• Don’t give in to the misconception that you must land your dream job. There are multiple opportunities out there that would tick all the boxes.

 
3.   Have big but realistic ambitions. Depending on your background and age, the time for becoming a professional trapeze artist or a ballerina may be long gone. You must realize that not every dream career is attainable.

• Having unrealistic ambitions may leave you frustrated and can stifle progress.

 
4.   Identify the education and skills needed for your new career. Do you need a new certification? Degree? IT skills? Public speaking skills? What do you need to make this change a reality? Start to develop and gather the necessary skills or education as soon as possible.
 
5.   Don't quit current job until you secure a new one. This may not be very convenient, but if possible, avoid quitting your current job until you have a new job. You will be amazed at how fast a savings account can run dry when you aren’t making money.

• If you’ve been abruptly laid-off, consider taking a job in the short-term until your career transition is successful. Also, a job related to your new career would be perfect.

 
6.   Anticipate the possibility of starting from scratch. You may currently be managing a department at a Fortune 500 company, but your first role as a computer programmer may put you in a shared office space, working with other interns on low-profile projects. The bigger the switch, the likelier it is that you’ll have to begin from the bottom of the ladder. You will have to step out of your comfort zone.
 
7.   Establish relationships and contacts in your desired field as soon as possible. Do you have any connections in your potential career? Can you offer to volunteer or start as an intern? Is there a part-time position that you can apply for to learn the ropes? Given today’s digital media tools, it isn’t very difficult to connect with people and with a bit of effort, you should soon revive your network or build a new network by connecting with recruiters and hiring managers.
 
Don’t take the decision to switch careers lightly. Think it through. Usually, you will only get one shot at changing careers! Identify what your present career is missing and settle for a career that satisfies all your needs. Keep in mind that your new career may mean that you have to initially start from scratch. But if you’re making the right choice, that possibility may be very rewarding.