Anyone thinking about switching to a new career must prepare appropriately before taking that big leap into the unknown. Here are some things that may get you off to a successful start.

Dust Off Your Old Skills

Has it been a long time since you worked as a runner, administrative assistant, or consultant? Sometimes, as we grow in a new career, the old skills that got us there fall by the wayside. Entry-level or support and assistant skills dull upon moving up the ladder. When jumping to an entirely new career, your move might not be lateral. So, brushing up on those old skills makes sense. They could prove valuable. Be sure to highlight all those "classic" skills on your resume, too. Focusing solely on your most recent experience and skills might not be 100 percent beneficial. Highlight some of your prior skills, so they don't become overlooked.

Go Back to School

The dark cloud that hangs over any decision to change careers is one reading the words "Pay cut." You can't expect the change to deliver the same salary if you lack both education and experience. While you might lack experience, you could address the educational side. Enrolling in a formal degree program, for example, could help you avoid suffering financially. Independence University points out that going back to school can prevent you from ending up with an entry-level job and a significant pay cut. Education may move you up the career ladder to where you aren't starting totally at the bottom. Remember, you are combining your newfound education with years of experience.

Don’t think you can hack it as a student? Get an online tutor to lean on. Tutor Map is an online tool that can help you find a tutor.

Enroll in a Certificate Program

Formal degrees come with years of classwork and tremendous expense. Not everyone has the time and money to enroll in college for the second time. Thankfully, other forms of educational endeavors exist. A reputable, credible certificate program might suffice. A conventional industry where certificate programs present great value in the fitness world. Yes, personal trainers often hold Bachelor of Science degrees in exercise science, nutrition, and other similar fields. And then many incredibly successful personal trainers only hold certifications. 

As long as the certificates are credible, they can suffice in many professions. According to Indeed, other certificate programs that can prove worthwhile include emergency medical technicians (EMTs), funeral directors, brickmasons, medical coders, firefighters, and air traffic controllers. Look for the certificates that hold the most weight in an industry. Don't jump on something that won't be of much value to your intended employers. It’s also important to make sure that whatever certificate program you register for leads to a career that you can see yourself enjoying.

Consider an Part-Time Approach

If possible, start your new career as a side job. This way, you don't need to immediately quit your current position to see how things work out. Some tasks can be performed on a telecommuting basis, like freelance writing. That means you use your computer to complete the work. And the flexibility could limit any impact with your current job. Working at home on the computer allows you to build up experience in your newly chosen field. After a year or so, you might become more attractive to an employer seeking someone with some experience.

Venturing into a new career isn’t something to do at the drop of a hat. In fact, rushing undermines your potential for success and can leave you regretting your decision. Take your time, think things through, and if needed, develop a new skill set to support this change of direction.