GLENN: I’m in a dead-end job and feel a real need to make a career change. My employer is reorganizing the department and probably going to offer most people a (severance) package. I see this as my chance to get out and do something different. So what should I do – and what should I not do? I already have a tentative job offer from an old boss and am thinking of taking it once I get the package. Your advice?

What should you do? If you are seriously thinking of changing careers – not just jobs or employers – what you should not do is jump at the first opportunity that comes your way.

One of the most common mistakes career-changers make, especially ones who are being forced to make a change through some sort of corporate restructuring, is to grab hold of the first job offer that comes their way. I don’t mean to imply it might be a bad offer, but why not take the time to see what other opportunities are out there, especially if you have a severance package? You need to evaluate whether you want to stay in your current career or make a change.

What are some of the other career change mistakes to avoid?

1. Making a career change without a plan. A successful career change can often take months to accomplish when you have a strategy – and even longer without one.

2. Changing careers because you hate your job. Don’t make the mistake of confusing hating your job (or employer) with hating your career.

3. Making a career change based solely on money/benefits. Certain careers are more financially rewarding than others, but that doesn’t mean they are right for you.

4. Changing careers because of outside pressure.

AMY: I am a special education teacher who has been teaching for about 20 years. I would like a career change, and the one thing that attracts me is cultivating plants and flowers. I would like to know what sort of measures would I be able to take in order to start a career or business that would allow me to do this. I have often thought of having a business where I can grow and sell my own plants in a greenhouse, something similar to the nurseries they have alongside towns and suburbs.

One of the first questions I ask people who desire a career change is to list their hobbies, interests and activities – the things they enjoy doing when not working. It’s often from this list that we discover a career field worth researching. I think switching from education to horticulture is possible, but, before you finalize that decision, I would also recommend examining some of your other interests – just to see if there are any other career paths worth investigating.

Once you decide on a career field, the next step is research. Growing plants these days is a science, so I would recommend talking with an agricultural agent with your county or state. I would also schedule informational interviews with the owners/managers of several local nurseries. Once you have developed these contacts, you might consider volunteering or working part-time on weekends or school holidays to get a taste for the work.

HEATHER: I have a (bachelor’s degree) in dance performance and a good bit of professional/semi-professional dance experience. However, I have chosen to go back to school for my other passion: conservation biology. I am trying to gain some of that experience this coming summer by applying to internships or volunteering. I have read lots about “transferable skills,” but the two careers are so different! Any suggestions?

Wow. You are truly making a dramatic career change, and kudos to you for taking the leap (if you forgive the pun) to follow your passion.

Transferable skills are an essential job-hunting concept to master for all job seekers, but especially for recent college graduates and career-changers. What are transferable skills? Simply put, they are skills you have acquired during any activity in your life – jobs, classes, projects, parenting, hobbies, sports, virtually anything – that are transferable and applicable to what you want to do in your next job or career.

Your first step is identifying the set of skills that employers in conservation biology seek. You can do this by compiling a collection of jobs from various employers – and making a list of the key skills they seek.

Your next step is then looking into your past and present for any experiences where you may have used or mastered those skills.

Your final step is then carefully showcasing those transferable skills in your cover letters, resumes and interviews.

STEVE: I just started a new job, and I have quickly gotten the impression the position will go nowhere. Is there any etiquette I should be aware of and will it look poorly in the future when I apply to another position and have only spent a short time in my current position?

You are wise for so quickly realizing this job and/or employer is not right for you. Better to realize it sooner, and better to do something about it rather than dread going to work every day. I hear from too many job seekers who hate their jobs and/or employers, but seem paralyzed to change the situation.

There is certainly no problem looking for new employment while currently employed; it’s always a better situation to be working than not. As for etiquette, the only real issue is treating your current employer with respect by scheduling job interviews around your work schedule and by giving customary notice once you have accepted another job offer.

Before you start hunting for a job, try to use your network of contacts to see if anyone you know or they know works for the company – and get the inside scoop directly.

Finally, before you start interviewing, you better prepare a short answer to the question that is inevitably going to be asked: Why are you leaving your job after such a short stint? Be careful how you craft your answer; you don’t want to badmouth the company, but you also don’t want to appear that you made a hasty decision in taking the job in the first place.

VIRGINIA: I am looking to change careers from the clerical and retail fields into working full time with animals, people or plants/flowers, as my career counselor has advised. I don’t know where to begin – any advice?

I think you are on the right track in identifying a new career field that you want to change into – one based on your interests and abilities – but I think you need a two-prong approach for a successful transition from your old career to the new one.

First, I believe you need to further narrow your new field – working with animals, people or plants how? For example, you could easily stay in retail and seek employment with a florist – working with flowers. In order to be successful, you must narrow your focus – through research. Start investigating the types of jobs that interest you. Once you’ve identified several jobs, conduct more research to determine the education/training and skills needed for those jobs.

Second, while you are researching jobs, investigate volunteering options that will allow you to gain experience in your new career – while also conducting more research. Consider volunteering at an animal shelter or nursing home – or any other organization that counts on volunteers.

DENISE: I’ve been in high-tech sales now for six years. I do enjoy sales and technology, however I’m honestly looking for a career change – but just don’t know what I want to do. Do you know of any good career change Web sites and some good online learning schools?

Changing careers is a very common occurrence – and many career changers go through the very same issues you are dealing with right now. Be prepared for many challenges and moments of frustration. These steps will help you with your career change:

ASSESSMENT OF LIKES AND DISLIKES: Make two lists and focus on careers that relate to your likes.

RESEARCHING NEW CAREERS: Don’t rush into anything; take time to gather information.

TRANSFERABLE SKILLS: Discover the skills you can take from your sales career and use in your new career.

TRAINING AND EDUCATION: Determine whether you need more education or training for your new career.

NETWORKING: Establish and grow a new network of contacts in your new career field.

GAINING EXPERIENCE: Consult, temp, or volunteer to get experience in your new career.

FIND A MENTOR: Having a trusted person to guide you and be a sounding board will help greatly.

BE FLEXIBLE: Career changers face numerous obstacles, so flexibility (in employment status, job title, salary, etc.) is critical.

Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D., is a career expert who has authored numerous publications on career development and job hunting. He is the owner of Quintessential Careers and an associate professor of marketing at Stetson University. Send career and job questions to careerdr@quintcareers.com.

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