How long will it take to change careers? This interesting tool may help you get a better sense for yourself.
The CareerLab website has a quick and interesting test to determine how long it might take you to change careers. The test has 10 questions that fall into the following categories:
“1. Earnings Expectations. Transitions requiring more money may be longer than those requiring lower compensation. A $380,000 job is usually harder to find than a $100,000 job because there are fewer of them.
2. Focus and Clarity. Having a clear focus, that is, a realistic and easily identifiable goal shortens the process. No goals, unclear goals, unrealistic or multiple goals add time to a transition.
3. Size of Network. Since 80% of good jobs come from friends and acquaintances (and from their friends and acquaintances) the larger your personal network, the better. There is some validity to the refrain, “It’s not what you know . . . ”
4. Time to Invest. If you’re working 12-hour days, six days per week, it will be difficult to participate in a career marketing campaign. That’s why many people who work extremely hard remain stuck in dead-end jobs. As a general rule, more time to invest is a positive.
5. Willingness to Relocate. By opening your geographic options, you add exponentially to your possibilities. Likewise, by refusing to leave your current address, you will limit your options and lengthen your transition.
6. Money to Invest. This means money to invest in the hard costs of a transition campaign: wardrobe, travel, subscriptions, memberships, marketing materials, postage, computers and software, cell phones and PDAs, and career advice. Most physicians already have these sorts of things, but, regardless you will likely have to acquire some things you don’t, and you may well have to travel—and those cost money. If you’re a physician executive and your employer is providing outplacement, add that number into your answer. For example, if you have a $7500 to invest personally and you’re receiving $2500 in outplacement, your answer in this category would be $10,000. A larger budget purchases necessities, buys you time, and gives you more options.
7. Crossed the Rubicon. By marching his army across the Rubicon, a stream in north-central Italy, Julius Caesar committed himself to a showdown with Rome. Like “burning your bridges behind you,” crossing the Rubicon is a one-way decision that can’t be undone. Have you “crossed the Rubicon” in your career, or are you simply weighing your options? The firmer the decision, the easier the change.
8. Size of Change. Minor changes take less time than major leaps into unknown territory. You are generally more marketable in something related to your recent industry (healthcare) and functional area (medicine) than in something new and unrelated.
9. Spouse/Partner Buy-in. If your spouse or partner is wholeheartedly behind you, or even leading the charge for change, you’ll have an easier time than if he or she is merely lukewarm or actively resisting change. If you’re single, then this category doesn’t apply—give yourself an “8” on this scale.
10. Change Experience. People learn from past activities. That’s why your second trip to Europe may be easier and more fun than your first. If you’ve changed jobs or careers before, you may already have developed some of the necessary change or sales skills.”
To take the test, and for more information about it, please visit the CareerLab website.
