3 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Switching Jobs

You want a new job. You’re ready for a change. But you don’t want a pay cut, or to end up with a nightmare boss. You want to make sure the reward will be worth the risk. Here are three things to ask yourself before taking the leap, as well as a few potential strategies.

1. How can I avoid a pay decrease?

This is always top among the risks we fear the most. But there are ways around it. First, consider a higher-paying industry. If you work in marketing for a non-profit, you could be making much more money in marketing for a financial institution or a high-tech company. If you don’t want to switch industries, consider switching to a higher-paying company within your field. A quick bit of Googling can steer you in the right direction. Try sites like GlassDoor.com and salary.com.

2. What if I don’t have what it takes?

We’re all a little bit afraid of change. The unknown, after all, can be big and scary. Fear of failure is always at the top of our "con" list when about to take a major risk. The trick, of course, is to give yourself permission to not be perfect right out of the gate. Then, set yourself up for success as best you can. Get a sense of what would be required of you in your next move, and what the working environment would be like. That way you’ll at least be prepared and can get a sense (before leaping) whether the leap is right for you.

3. What if I’m just not qualified?

If the job you want requires skills or experiences you don’t have, the only thing to do is to acquire them. Investing in yourself to make the next step in the direction of your dreams is never time or money wasted. Sure, it might take you a bit longer to get where you want to be, but you’ll be better prepared and have a better time of it. That way you can walk into your new position with the confidence that you’re absolutely prepared—and exactly where you’re meant to be. Remember, if you follow your heart and take steps to keep up your confidence, you can hardly go wrong.