The 5 Big Mistakes Boomers Make When Switching Careers

Baby boomers' desire to change careers should be tempered by avoidance of five common mistakes, reports Next Avenue . The first mistake is to not experience what the desired new job is like on a trial basis before making a decision. Prospective employees should find lunch hour times or take half-days to follow others in positions for which they might apply, or go online for a deeper immersion. A second error is to not manage expectations, so boomers need to set realistic goals and be prepared to acquire new skills if necessary. A third mistake is moving into a new career without first determining what matters most in terms of schedule, benefits, travel, and more, and advance planning should spare boomers from wasting time going after the wrong jobs. The fourth mistake is not to seek training first, otherwise a lack of required skills for the desired career will be a setback. The fifth mistake is not arranging a backup plan in case the original plan falls through. To avoid this, boomers should make sure their resume and professional-facing social media networks are always up to date, cultivate strong networks, and list employers they would like to work for as well as contacts at those employers.