Change can be daunting at any stage in life; making the jump can require marketable skills, an industry vocabulary and education.

Many people decide on a career change because they desire more out of their work, but it's essential not to rush blindly into one. Below are three of the biggest career change errors to watch out for. 1. Not Reaching Out to Your Network.

1. Not Taking Your Time

One of the worst mistakes you can make when embarking on a new career path is jumping in without first conducting adequate research on all available options and gathering hands-on experience or making connections in the area of interest.

Embark on a career change solely out of dislike for your current position and you run the risk of sending out applications hastily, which could yield unsatisfactory results and fail to significantly enhance professional satisfaction. Furthermore, running after money alone won't bring happiness or fulfillment in your professional career over time.

Are You Rushing into a Career Change for Other Reasons? Don't rush into making a change just because others think it is the best thing for you; while they may offer advice, the final say in any career decision lies with you alone. Your life belongs to you; make sure it's fulfilling; if that means changing careers may be the solution - take your time and do it properly!

2. Not Doing Your Research

Research can be essential when changing careers, and doing it properly is of utmost importance. You need to have an idea of the available pay and advancement opportunities within a particular career of interest as well as understand its current state - is it growing, declining, or on its way out altogether?

Consider speaking to professionals who work in the industry you wish to switch into for their advice, while reaching out beyond your network for further support; someone may help find you employment or offer valuable insight.

Unwise career changes can leave you unhappy and dissatisfied, posing great risk for long-term fulfillment and happiness. To avoid making this costly error, always do your research first before diving in headfirst without consulting others first.

Clarifying your research to non-experts can be crucial to getting funding, being more productive at work, and even increasing your chances of being published.

3. Not Having a Clear Plan

Sometimes the difficulty lies not in making a career switch but in its planning and implementation. It's easy to become overwhelmed with all that needs to be done, so take some time to assess past events, consider current situations and form a clear plan of action.

Advice from others can also be extremely useful; friends, family and those within your industry can all provide invaluable sources of knowledge and encouragement - though be wary not to allow these influences to take over your decision making.

Before making any major decisions, be sure to gain an in-depth knowledge of your strengths, priorities and non-negotiables. Take into account lifestyle needs and wants as well as skillset. Knowing yourself will make finding success easier!

4. Not Being Prepared for a Financial Shift

Career changes can be financially taxing. If you are shifting into a lower-paying field or leaving behind valuable benefits such as health insurance and retirement contributions, such as at your former job, it's essential that you plan for their loss as key sources of income.

Preparation is also key when considering the costs associated with retraining and certification, even if these seem minor compared to your current salary. These expenses can add up quickly and be difficult to keep track of.

Many career changers make the mistake of viewing money as the primary motivating force in their switch. While it may be easy to be lured by promises of higher salaries, running after money won't lead to professional satisfaction in the long run. If this mistaken belief holds true for you, take some time to examine your thinking around money - perhaps setting realistic salary expectations that take into account both needs and expectations rather than incomes of peers might help - before focusing on learning new skills and networking within their new industry.

5. Not Taking Stock of Your Current Skills

One common misstep made by career changers is not taking an accurate assessment of their current abilities and skills, which can waste both time and money. If your new goal is to become a nurse, for instance, certain qualifications will be needed; but many career switchers don't realize that many of their existing skills could transfer directly over to nursing roles.

People frequently make the mistake of thinking they must return to university in order to develop skills needed for their new industry. While this might be necessary in some instances, often more experience can be gained in your chosen industry through on-the-job training and networking with those working within that sector.

As part of any career change decision, it's crucial not to succumb to external pressures such as family and friend advice. Although they can offer invaluable support and guidance when making their own choices, allowing others to influence your decision and persuade you to switch simply because they believe it's right is harmful and you should make it alone.