By Kent Johnson

Are you sure you really want a new career?  Are you really, really sure?

This is a question you need to be able to answer with a resounding "yes" before you invest all the time, trouble, and expense of changing careers.  After all, almost everybody has tough stretches when their current job seems boring, or unfulfilling, or stressful, or just plain drudgery. But make sure that you're not just going through a bad time, or that you're not letting problems in your personal life make your current job seem worse than it really is.

If you are uncomfortable or dissatisfied with your job, what’s the reason? You’ll want to answer that question before starting a search for new employment. Otherwise, you could end up in a
situation with similar problems but without the familiarity of a long-standing position. To help clarify your satisfaction with your professional situation, ask yourself these questions:

Am I happy with my work? 
Am I challenged by my work? 
Is there opportunity for me to advance?  
Am I satisfied with my benefits?  
How do I feel about my office location, hours of work and co-workers? 
Am I paid fairly? 
Is my job too stressful?  

Once you’ve answered these questions honestly and thoroughly, ask yourself whether you’re willing to try to make the current situation work. What can you do to contribute to the solution? If
you’re unhappy or unchallenged, could you work with your supervisor to re-align some of your duties? Could a seminar or class at a community college give you new ways to think about the job?

If you’re concerned about advancement, are there classes you could take within your company on management training or job diversification? Could you volunteer for extra projects to show
you can handle the responsibility? If pay, benefits, or both are an issue, perhaps a frank but polite talk with your supervisor is in
order.

If stress is affecting your life both on and off the job, perhaps a stress-reduction class at your local hospital or a few private sessions with a qualified counselor could help you put the
situation in perspective.

If, after some soul-searching, you decide you need to make a break from your current situation, proceed with caution. In most cases, you’re better off quietly beginning the job search while still
enjoying the pay and benefits of your existing job. The fact that you’ve decided to move on-and that you’re looking at your current situation as temporary-might make the workplace more
bearable until you’re ready to leave.

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