Do you hate your job? Career going nowhere? Worried about being downsized or outsourced? Unsure of your options and afraid of making a wrong choice? If you are currently feeling STUCK, maybe you can get UNSTUCK by making the first move! Clay Parsons, longtime OPEN EXCHANGE lister, offers expert career counseling services.

Getting your career unstuck is all about getting momentum. Action is the key, not just thinking action but "doing" action. The quick-fix, which is so much a part of our consumer culture, doesn't exist when it comes to making major changes in your life. An interesting and successful career is not a product that you can purchase. You have to work at it. Accept the fact that you are in the wrong job and commit all of your energy and intellect to creating change.

A LITTLE TIME OFF
Although this step is absolutely necessary, many people find it hard to accept: When you leave your old job take the time to relieve the symptoms of physical and psychological burnout. Changing careers is a big adjustment. Spend a week at the beach picking up driftwood with your partner. Go hiking in the mountains. When you return, if your mind is still cluttered with "work-talk," write a serious letter to your old boss and colleagues about how much you hated the place and how much you love your new life without them. Then burn it—or even mail it! Celebrate the ending of that phase of your life with a toast, and then move on.

BEGIN THE CAREER SEARCH
Consider this part of your transition a full-time commitment. It cannot be done by looking at it as an intellectual exercise, a game, or an occasional hobby. You are making a major life move and betting the house on your success. If you work hard at it and believe in yourself you will succeed. Remember the Henry Ford quote, "Whether you believe you can, or believe you can't, you are absolutely right."

When I was serving as a counselor and instructor at FortyPlus, a national non-profit for unemployed executives, we calculated that it took six to eight months for a senior manager or professional to find a position. That was during the dot.com boom. During a recessionary period it usually takes longer. Allow yourself a good year to do it right. If you find you cannot, either financially or in terms of time available to commit to the process, consider putting your plans on hold.

I am frequently asked if many of my clients succeed in actually changing their careers. My answer is always, "those that are committed succeed; those that are not committed do not."

GET YOURSELF ORGANIZED
Getting yourself organized says that you are serious. Find a place at home where you can work uninterrupted. When you go there, work—don't play. Make sure you have an adequate internet connection at DSL speed and a good quality ink jet printer. Make sure you have all the major programs on your computer. People will email you with attachments; make sure that you can open them. Keep a file cabinet for paper files. If you tend to be disorganized get a pocket organizer, either paper or electronic. If you have the means, also purchase a FAX machine. You should be able to receive information about a job prospect from anyone. Also keep a record of all of your contacts, their names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, the dates of your phone conversations, meetings, etc., and what you discussed.

EMPHASIZE ACTION
Beginning a new career requires much more than analysis and problem solving, which many of us are very good at. Get out of the house, meet new people, and explore new places and situations. A new career will not come to you because of your past accomplishments and ability. You have to go out and find it, and in some cases pay the necessary dues to get into the field. For example, in education you will need a teaching certificate; in management an MBA. There will always be requirements. It is a myth, however, to believe that you will have to start all over again at the bottom and work your way up. Most people who change their careers offer a tremendous amount of experience and special skills which they can transfer to their new career—real value to a new employer.

FOCUS AND RESEARCH
What is the direction you wish to go in, and then after you have narrowed your focus, what are your targets, including type of organization, role or position, etc.? Who are the people you need to talk to, to get reliable information, and then to find a position? Who has influence and can help you find a job; who does not? What is the culture of the organization? All of these questions must be answered if you are to make a fully informed decision regarding your career change.

Gather information as if you were working for a major newspaper. Your assignment is to do in-depth research into a prospective new career. I want you to write an article about it, including what the field is all about, who the individual players are, who are the organizations who are most successful etc. You will need to become fully briefed before you sit down to write the article. Your assignment will require a lot of work, phone calls, interviews, and meetings. It cannot be patched together overnight, but neither can a career decision which will influence how you live the rest of your life.

KEEP ON TRACK
There are all kinds of distractions which can derail your campaign. Some are unpredictable, like family problems; others are entirely predictable like boredom, frustration, and even anger. Regardless of the issue, find a way to keep your career search on track. Join a job and career search support group facilitated by a career professional. Share your good and bad experiences with colleagues. Help others with their job search; it will make you feel better about yourself. Regularly consult with a professional career counselor to assess your strategy and game plan. Keep a regular job or career search schedule—like you would at work—and adhere to it. Lastly, conduct a review of your focus, strategy and action plan every month or so to see if it is working. Don't be afraid to make adjustments or changes. Remember, there are no absolute rules in this game. Keep an open mind. And keep moving!

TREAT YOURSELF WELL
Changing a career is not for the faint hearted! The process and inevitable bumps along the way will severely try your patience. There will be days when you will question your decision and your sanity. But, trust me, I have seen it through with my clients many times and I know that it will work, and it will be worth it. Just remember to be kind to yourself along the way. Take quality time off to be with your family and friends. Go on a long planned vacation. Clear your mind once in a while and then redouble your efforts. Keep in mind that a good interview depends just as much on how you are feeling as your knowledge and abilities.

THE RESULTS!
After a career change and six month job search a client called me with this message. "I wanted you to know, I just accepted the new position we talked about yesterday, I'm so happy I feel like I'm walking on water!"

Go for it!
My best.
Clay