Time to Move On?

(MS) - When seeking career advice, young people are often told, "Find something you love to do, and make a career out of it." While that's a novel concept, it might not be the most realistic or valuable advice a person can receive. In fact, lots of people realize their ideal field isn't necessarily what they thought it would be, part of the reason the average person changes jobs five to seven times in a lifetime.

Depending on the job market, deciding if you really should change careers can be difficult. Regardless of the job market, a general rule of thumb is not to leave one job without another lined up, or at least without enough financial security to handle what may or may not be a period of extended unemployment.

That said, is it a career change you need, or just a vacation? Certain warning signs will likely exist if it is, in fact, the former.

· Monday "mournings": Have mornings become a period of mourning for you? Few people enjoy getting out of bed when the alarm goes off, but if you've found that you're dreading going to work every morning, chances are you should at least be considering a career change. Especially for recent graduates, entering a highly competitive job market can force you to take a position just to be able to pay your bills and get your post-graduate life started. But many graduates soon realize their chosen field isn't what they thought it would bet. If that's the reason you dread getting out of bed each morning, then it likely is time for a career change.

However, lots of people don't necessarily need a career change, but an environment change. If it's not the job you dislike but the environment (i.e., coworkers, boss, hours, etc.), consider discussing these matters with your superior before you decide to look for another job. Determining if your problems are career- or environment-related is an important first step when trying to decide if it's time to move on.

· Your lifestyle needs aren't being met: A job can offer you many things, from a good salary to social status to the chance to travel. While those are all nice perks, if you're not living the lifestyle you prefer, they can be largely meaningless. Many people experience this problem when they decide it's time to settle down. While the chance to travel can be a great opportunity when you're young, lots of people find it less appealing as they get older and start thinking about a family. For instance, those in sales or consulting often travel quite a bit. However, this can lead to burnout and force you to keep putting off individual goals, such as getting married and having children. If you're finding your current job is acting more like a roadblock than an avenue to your desired lifestyle, it might be time to consider a new career.

· Your dream won't die: Lots of people would prefer to be on their own and work solely for themselves. However, reality often dictates otherwise. If you find yourself dwelling on that dream more and more, it might be time to take the plunge into self-employment. Many people may be shocked at your decision. Though their opinions shouldn't weigh too heavily if it's something you really want to do, make sure it's not just a mid-life crisis and come up with a plan to make your dream a successful reality. In addition to negatively affecting your current work, not taking the chance could be something you regret forever.

CAPTION: If work has become increasingly frustrating, a career change might be in order.

Keywords: career career advice jobs change job job market unemployment financial security