Almost everyone will go through a career change at one time or another during their lives. Whether they are changes that are made by your internal desires or the marketplace mayhem, you will be way ahead of the majority if you start to take action now. Don't take for granted since you've been in the company for a long time that you are suddenly immune from market forces. Many employees who assumed do not have jobs now or work dead-end jobs they took in order to survive. Even if you are extremely happy with your current job, you may still experience a career change in the future.

The majority of people have multiple career changes during their lifetime. If you think that the career you started in may not be forever, it is a good idea to be proactive about your career changes. If you plan for the eventual possibility of a layoff, an extended illness, a corporate takeover, a company bankruptcy, or other potential problems of your present career, you can make the transition easier for yourself.

Always have items like your five-year plan, updated resumes, cover letters, business cards, your network and an emergency fund ready in the event of a job crash. By doing the research ahead of time on possible career choices that include your skills, you have the option during a career change to find employment in your field or try to transition into another area using the same skills or those that you acquired while you were in your job.

You should have several copies of your resume. One should be in Word format and have all the format most resumes contain. One should also be electronic and be used for online submissions. It's also wise to have a functional resume instead of a traditional one, if you have a lot of years of experience that may make you seem dated instead of fresh. This way you can categorize your skills by job experience rather than dates, making you seem younger at least on paper.

Together, with your professional network and other things you do to be prepared for a career change, you will realize that having an emergency fund is one of the most intelligent decisions you can make. You will want to be able to pay your bills while you change from one job to another. You will have to cover transportation costs to interviews and continue to maintain a professional image, while not having income in many cases.

You will also need to build a professional network. Begin to cultivate a network of professional contacts outside the company as well as within. You never know where your next job lead will come from, but it will most likely be through an individual who knows someone wanting to fill a position. Having a network with the right people will open opportunities when they are necessary. Remember, being prepared ahead of time helps you not only go forward in your career but also greatly reduces the stresses involved in career change.