6 Factors to Consider When Changing Careers (that have nothing to do with money!)

by Robyn Tellefsen

Nobody wants to work for peanuts. But when you think you're ready for a career change, there's a lot more to consider than pay. Sure, a nice salary can sweeten a new career deal, but all the money in the world won't turn misery into joy.

Before you get seduced by dollar signs, consider these six career-change factors that have nothing to do with money.

Location and Travel
Are you willing to travel a few days, weeks, or months out of the year? How do you feel about relocating? For some, it's a dream come true. For others, particularly those with families, it sounds like a death sentence. If most of the jobs in your new field are in New York City and you're a die-hard Minnesotan, consider whether the career change is worth your while.

Growth Potential
On the other hand, make sure you don't get stuck in a rut. If there's no place to "move" within your current career, it's time for a change. Your job should be dynamic enough to motivate you to work hard and keep learning. A career change that requires you to go back to school presents a healthy challenge and an excellent opportunity to improve yourself as well as your circumstances.

Your Temperament
If you're an extreme introvert who seeks control over your environment, then working in a loud, chaotic, unpredictable job will not be the best fit for you. Don't discount your natural temperament; embrace it. Choose an environment where you can work within your natural gifting and develop your areas of strength. Certainly, your career should stretch you, but not to the breaking point.

Work Schedule
Keeping a reasonable work schedule matters to most people, especially those with families. Many career changers choose to work in schools so they can keep the same hours as their kids and get the same holidays and vacations, too. Shift-workers may be able to sync their schedules with the rest of the family's. Careers that offer flextime, or even work-at-home options, can also be a major bonus when you're balancing work with other responsibilities.

Childhood Dreams
Though many of us once wrote "firefighter," "doctor," "singer," and "circus clown" on our long lists of "What I Want to Be When I Grow Up," you shouldn't dismiss your own childhood dreams as childish. Some were probably a phase, but others could have been a legitimate passion and desire of your heart. Don't ignore the career clues hidden in the aspirations of your youth.

Career Longevity
Even if you're passionate about it, you'll probably want to make sure the career you're considering isn't a dying art. If a particular industry is becoming increasingly automated, for instance, then trying to break in now might not be the best use of your time. Your new career should ooze potential. Follow your heart, but take it where the jobs are, too.