Possibilities: Career change is a very critical phase in anyone's career and hence it is imperative that one considers all possibilities and consequences of the same. Researching all such possibilities would be a good practice before making the switch. This research can be done online, by talking to your network and also by reading job profiles and news related to the new career. This will give you an insight into various careers that are available for you and will help you to make a more informed decision regarding your career change.

Personal parameters: Opting for a career change without self reflection and without considering personal likes and dislikes could be suicidal for any career. Assessing one's own interests, skills and values is highly critical to any career change. Such an analysis is easy to do and all one needs is to make a list of things that one loves to do- in a job, at home or even in hobbies and another list of things that you will never want to do again. While deciding on a career changes, these lists can be used to perform a SWOT (Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats) and can have a great bearing on a conceived career change.

Blinded by other's success: A career change cannot be bought upon oneself by just looking at someone who is a success in a different career. You are you and not the other person; the personal qualities differ and make the thin line between success and failure. Considering that career while deciding upon a career change is good, but do not try and replicate someone else's success. There are too many assumptions in doing so and most people who have attempted a career changes in such circumstances have failed. The grass certainly appears greener on the other side but is not the case most times, especially for something as critical as a career change.

Experience and Education: While contemplating a career change, it is always important to research and strategize on bridging the gap of education, experience and skills between the present career and the new career that you are trying to make a career change to. Transferable or common skills are important but a little bit of focused education and skill building may become important to make the career change. You could begin by interacting with professionals in the new career and attending informative workshops.

Job search techniques: Making a career change almost always involves a job change, so it is important that one polishes his or her job search techniques before embarking on the search. Interviewing skills and resume writing techniques would also need some polish especially since you are out of the search market for some time pursuing your current career. Make sure that you go through these basics before you decide on the career change.

Conclusion

A career change involves too many personal variables. Make sure that you polish up on almost all variables before you decide on your all important career change.