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Almost everyone will experience a career change at some point during their lives. Whether they are changes that happen based on your internal desires or the marketplace mayhem, you will be way ahead of the majority if you start to take action now. Don’t take for granted since you’ve been with the company for a long time that you are suddenly immune from market forces. Many of those who assumed do not have jobs now or work dead-end jobs they took to pay the bills. Even if you are extremely happy with your current job, you may still see a career change in your future. Most people have two or three career changes during their lifetime. If you know ahead of time that the career you started out it may not last forever, it is a smart idea to take action in your career changes. If you are prepared for the eventual possibility of a layoff, an extended illness, a corporate takeover, a company bankruptcy, or other potential problems of your current career, you can make the change smoother for yourself. Always have items like your five-year plan, updated resumes, cover letters, business cards, your network and an emergency fund ready in the event of a career change. By doing the research ahead of time on possible career choices that work with your skills, you have the choice during a career change to look for work in your field or look into another area using the same skills or those that you gathered while you were in your job. You should have several copies of your resume. One should be in Word format and have all the format most resumes contain. One should also be electronic and be used for online submissions. It’s also good to have a functional resume instead of a traditional one, if you have a lot of years of experience that may make you seem dated instead of fresh. This way you can group your skills by job experience rather than dates, making you look younger at least on paper. Along with your professional network and other things you do to be ready for a career change, you will find that having an emergency fund is one of the smartest decisions you can make. You will want to be able to pay your bills while you transition from one job to another. You will have to cover transportation costs to interviews and continue to maintain a professional image, while having no income in many cases. You will also need to build a professional network. Start to cultivate a network of professional contacts outside the company as well as on the inside. You never know where your next job opportunity will come from, but it will most likely be from an individual who knows someone looking to fill a position. Knowing the right people will open opportunities when they are necessary. Remember, preparing ahead of time helps you not only advance in your career but also helps reduce the stresses involved in career change.
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Arthur Manford Chambers III is a career planner and writer who enjoys sharing tips on career change and offers extensive free career guides, and a free career change "special report". Plus you can download the author's new career handbook on his website www.career-recruitment.com
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