Changing careers is one of the most certain parts of any employment. Everyone needs an upward career move or a job that offers better benefits, opportunities, and challenges.

Whatever your reason for looking at a career change, do your best to avoid these 5 career mistakes.

Making a snap decision
Ever woken up one morning and just deciding that you can’t take it anymore? Of course, this is usually the culmination of several frustrations and upsets in your job, but the question remains, have you thought this through?

Before changing careers, do a deep assessment of why you really want to change jobs. Could it be that you are simply having a bad month?

Most snap career change decisions end up being regretted because people end up finding themselves in the same situation in the new job after a while. Everyone goes through a phase of disappointment in their jobs, that doesn’t mean they have to quit.

Making a change based on financial gains
Don’t get me wrong, a big salary is good, but don’t leave a job you enjoy because of the temptation of a better remuneration elsewhere.

The most important part of any career is that you are passionate about it and enjoy it.

However, if the new job matches your interests and you are certain that you will enjoy working at it as much as you enjoy where you currently are, then by all means go ahead. But never sacrifice passion on the altar of finances. You will get frustrated very quickly.

Not knowing enough before jumping in
Don’t let the excitement of a potential career change make you forget to do your due diligence.

If you do not have enough information about the organization, or the job you will be doing, then apply the brakes for the moment.

Regardless of how much they promise to pay or the benefits, they are giving, don’t get involved until you have complete information of what the company does and what you will be expected to do.

Because everyone says so
How many times have you heard folks say you will be better off working elsewhere? It gets so that you begin to believe that if everyone thinks so, then they must be right.

In as much as your friends and family should be able to influence your career decision, you should not base your move on people’s say so.

Are you really ready for a career change? Do you think you will do better elsewhere? Are you ready and willing to face the uncertainty of a new work environment? These are questions only you can answer.

Creating a vacuum
Lastly, nature abhors a vacuum; they say and this is true for careers also. Possibly the greatest mistake you can make is leaving your job without having another one lined up.

You might think it would be easy for someone with your qualifications and skills to easily get a new job immediately after leaving one. But don’t forget that there are possibly smarter and younger people with better degrees leaving the universities and colleges looking for work also.

Before you leave, make sure there is an opportunity waiting just for you somewhere else.

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