Q&A: Ron Finklestein on job transitions in tough economic times

What are some of the reasons for career transitions?

There are several. First, of course, is that changes in the economy can create demand for jobs or can dampen the job scene, eliminating opportunities in your field of choice. Second, your interests within a specific field may change through the years. You may become aware of certain aspects of your industry that didn't exist when you started out but that you may now want to consider. The third reason is a change in lifestyle. For example, a business consultant who travels a lot gets married, has children and decides he doesn't want to be on the road that much anymore. Finally, individuals may undergo a significant personal change, such as realizing that, after being in IT for ten years, they're tired of computers and technology and long for people contact.

Consider someone who has been out of college and in his or her career for about ten years. He or she's feeling burned out, bored, doubtful and confused, and doesn't see an opportunity for upward mobility. What's your advice?

The most important thing in this instance is getting in touch with the "why" of your situation. You have to ask yourself "Did the job change, or did I change?" If the job changed and you didn't, ask yourself why you didn't. If it's you who has changed, ask yourself what you really want to be doing. You now have ten years of experience under your belt, so you should have some idea what interests you. You also have to discern if you're holding yourself up to an impossible standard and putting unnecessary pressure on yourself to perform at a higher level than what your employer expects.  Sometimes you simply need to re-invigorate yourself with a vacation or a new exercise program to be able to take a look at things from a different perspective. Or, you may just need to detach mentally through a hobby that let's you step away and do something different to gain perspective. If you feel dissatisfied with how things are going, try not to overreact. Sometimes where you are in your career may be just a temporary situation, and you're out of your comfort zone. It may simply be the next step in your personal growth and development. The situation becomes easier to deal with if you realize this. The most important thing to do, however, is to talk to others who are 20 years older than you, have been where you are in your career and have made a successful transition. Ask them how they did it. It will help you check out whether your perspective is on target or distorted.

What changes have occurred in the marketplace with the recent economic upheaval?

The marketplace has changed dramatically. Companies and organizations have cut back, and a lot of jobs have been shipped overseas as well. Not only is change the norm now, it's happening at an accelerated pace. To succeed, you need to be able to adapt and grow. Some people are trained for a job that doesn't exist any more. Due to cutbacks, there may no longer be opportunities in your field of choice. While some opportunities are gone, however, others have opened up. One example is the green and sustainability movement. There weren't a lot of jobs in this field just five years ago, but now there's a major focus on it.  Finally, a lot of young people want to make a difference and a contribution. They're not buying into the 9-to-5 mentality and won't settle for the status quo. They're taking certain aspects of their own personal lifestyle, such as sustainability, and wanting to emulate that in the workplace, too.

How can you determine whether going back to school for an advanced degree or getting a professional certification will help you move forward if you feel like you're stagnating?

Earning an advanced degree or a professional certification can increase an individual's confidence and qualifications to move ahead. I always tell people to calculate the ROI, however, because it's an investment of your time, energy and money. Getting an advanced degree can take several years and cost thousands of dollars. You need to determine whether you're going to be able to recoup that investment through a higher salary when you're done. If you're unhappy with what you're doing now and want to change careers, ask yourself how obtaining a professional certification will help. Find out what the expectations are in the field you want to enter.

Everyone talks about the importance of networking. Any pointers on networking effectively?

Network with a purpose. Treat these opportunities as business events and have objectives. Understand why you're going, the types of people you want to meet who can add value to your career and the next steps to take to move the relationship forward with those individuals. Also, don't be afraid to network. Push past your fear, reach out and talk to people; they may be just as nervous as you are. There's an excellent book on building business relationships called Dig Your Well Before You're Thirsty, by Harvey McKay. His basic premise is that you should try to help others before you need their help. If you do that, they'll be inclined to help you, and it's all right to ask them, because you'll have earned it.

Any other pointers for career success?

Four thoughts. It's important to understand that change is part of life. Embrace it rather than fight it. Stay ahead of the curve in your industry. Find out what skills you need, not only for today but for the future. Try to be a leader in the type of change that's occurring in your field. Associate with others who understand the value of change and have dealt with it successfully. Learn from their example and experience. Last, but certainly not least, it all boils down to a good attitude. You can have a positive attitude of change and growth or an attitude of complacency. It's either or. You can't have both.