Strategies for Successful Career Change

In this summary you will learn

• How to identify the career that you’ll find most satisfying
• How to explore career options that align with your strengths and goals
• How to remain financially stable while researching and making a career transition

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Why you should read Strategies for Successful Career Change

Some people decide to switch careers to pursue more gratifying work. Others have career change thrust upon them by company closings, downsizing or technological advancements. Whatever the reason, changing careers can be stressful and bewildering. Business writer Martha E. Mangelsdorf’s common sense manual, while a bit simplistic, does a good job of breaking the process into manageable steps. The first is identifying what you want. That is never easy, but once you manage it, the rest of your transition will fall into place so you can focus on practicalities. Can you find opportunities in a related field or even within your current company? What are your strengths, weaknesses and “transferable skills”? Can you switch careers without additional training and education? Could you overlap careers or work two jobs to maintain your financial security? Mangelsdorf answers all these questions and more, using successful career change stories to punctuate her points. If you are at a career crossroads, getAbstract recommends this guide to help you navigate through the tumult.

About the Author

Martha E. Mangelsdorf worked at Inc. magazine and wrote a column on career transition for the Boston Globe. She is currently an editor at the MIT Sloan Management Review.