Thinking of a career change but don’t know where to begin?  Let these eight steps be your guide. 

1.  Assess yourself

Changing careers starts with you.  Before making any decision, begin with a period of self-examination. Identify your passions and set specific goals. 

2.  Take inventory of your skills

Many skills, such as writing, management, leadership, analytical and/or interpersonal skills are transferable not only from job to job, but from job to career. Before beginning your job search, compile a list of your transferable skills and abilities.  Ask yourself which of these qualities will be attractive to potential employers and useful in your desired field.

3.  Identify the skills necessary to break into your new career

While some of your talents will undoubtedly transfer across careers, your preferred position will likely require expertise you presently lack. Research your ideal career field to determine what new skills you will need to get started. Examine online job postings and newspaper classifieds to better ascertain the educational and professional requirements necessary to launch your new career. Whenever possible, speak to employees and employers in your desire field and ask them what tools it takes to do their jobs efficiently.

4.  Acquire those skills

Once you have determined the tools you need to succeed, go out and get them. Consider volunteering or interning at organizations related to your desired career field. Volunteering in your spare time not only places your foot the door, but gives you a first hand look at the requirements and abilities necessary for your next career.  Interning at like-minded organizations will equip you with many of the basic skills necessary to make a successful career leap.

Maybe your next career requires an advanced degree.  Consider returning to school or attaining your schooling over the Internet. Several universities have created online courses and degree programs that allow you to go to school online while enjoying the advantages of an on-campus program. 

5.  Rewrite your resume

Changing careers requires a resume makeover: one that stresses skills over job titles.  This is known as a "functional resume" because it mixes and matches those skills most applicable to your desired job field rather than providing a chronological time-line of your work history. 

According to Rob Kaplan, author of Resumes: The Write Stuff, your functional resume should consist of categories that emphasize your abilities and relative experiences (i.e., administration, marketing, management, etc.).  Also include personal information, career objectives, education and extra-curricular activities such as volunteer work, internships and hobbies.  Remember, your functional resume is not a list of duties you have completed, it is a highlight reel of skills and accomplishments applicable to your future career.

6.  Network

Your job search when shifting careers will be different than the traditional job search. Without relevant experience to the industry you hope to enter, your best bet for getting a job is networking.  Call your college career services office for names of alumni in your desired career field.  "Talk to everybody you know in the field, then talk to everybody they know," writes Stephen Warren, author of The Purpose Principle. "[Soon] you will be able to sell yourself better than your resume can."

7.  Be Flexible

Aim high, but be flexible about accepting an entry-level position. Despite your work experience, many employers will likely view you as a relative beginner. As such, you may have to initially accept a position with less responsibility (and pay) than your previous job. Don’t despair. Your past experience in the work world will likely earn you rapid advancement in your new career field.

8.  Leave your present job gracefully

Don’t burn your bridges with your former employer.  Whenever possible, maintain a professional, cordial relationship with them until the end. Chances are you might need them for a reference or you may someday wish to return to your former position. Also, maintain contact with your former business associates, contacts and mentors. You never know what help they may be able to provide your new career down the road.

Turning a Negative into a Positive

Changing careers is virtually inevitable in today’s job market.  Making the transition smoothly and efficiently means being prepared. Consequently, whether you are dissatisfied with your current profession or a victim of downsizing, these strategies will enable you to make the career leap as painless and as profitable as possible.  Happy hunting!

For More Information:

If you want to break into a "fab" job (such as Celebrity Personal Assistant, Event Planner, Motivational Speaker, Public Relations Consultant and many others) you can find specific details on each of the steps outlined in this article in our FabJob guides.

Paul Armentano is a journalist based out of Washington DC.  He is the author of more than 150 articles in magazines, newspapers and on the Internet, and writes a regular column for the San Francisco Weekly on winning employment strategies.  He may be contacted by e-mail at: parmentano@suite101.com