Today’s uncertain economic climate, sluggish gains in the business sector coupled with high unemployment rates have made applying for job openings highly competitive.Some businesses are showing higher unemployment rates than others, and when a person is in one of these businesses or have remained unemployed for a long period of time, they may consider a career change.Finding the right career that has a low unemployment rate can be difficult.Using these 5 tips to navigate your next career will guide you on making that career change.

What Interests You

The first step in making a career change is figuring out what interests you. You may want to stay in the general line of work or totally change it.Either way, you need to figure out what will interest you the most.There are several career aptitude tests that match skills, experience and interests to come up with some ideas of good career matches if you are unsure.Using this career assessment tool will help you to see where your strengths lie.

Research

Do you already have the skills or qualifications that are needed for your new career?Exploring all the requirements for your new career will increase the likelihood of you being successful.You can research educational requirements, which schools offer those programs, economic forecast for that career and median salary online. Talk to others in the field to see what the job is really like.There are several salary and career assessment forecasts that are available online.

Be Realistic

Look at your new career realistically.Do you have to start over from scratch, educationally wise?Is the economic outlook for this profession promising?Can you afford the training costs?Is there help available? Answering these questions will guide you in whether this is the right career choice or not.

Take An Inventory

Make a list of your skills and experience.Write down everything, both professional and personal.Skills that you have at home may apply to your new career when it didn’t before.Things like multi-tasking, people skills, time management, are all things that you may have learned at home, but used little in your previous job.

Market Yourself

If there is no additional training involved, market your skills and experience.Keep your resume up-to-date and have it readily available.Use social media sites such as LinkedIn to market these skills.Sign up for career placement sites such as CareerBuilder and Monster. Use the internet to your advantage.

Changing professions can be tough.Trying to decide on a new career direction, researching that career and finding what interests you will challenge even the most patient person.Using these 5 tips to navigate your next career transition will make it easier.

Simon Hopes is a proficient author and writes articles on Career Assessments. He regularly contributes for the website Eureka.org.