Are you thinking of changing careers? Not sure how to go about it? Don't worry, we can help get you on the right track.

So, make yourself a cup of tea (or coffee), grab a pen and some paper, or your laptop, and make yourself comfortable. It's time reflect, make a plan and take action.

Reflect

Is it your job you don't like, or is it your career that's the problem? There is an important distinction here. You may be struggling or be stressed at work because of a particular environment/boss/co-worker/workload.

It may not actually be the career itself.

You need to separate the career you're in from your current workplace. Narrow down what in particular is the part that you're struggling with. Once you know that, you'll know whether you need to simply change workplaces, address an issue in your job, or whether you need to look around for a new career.

Check yourself

Complain: we all do it.

Whether it's having to get up early, the bad weather, or the annoying habit of a co-worker, there's always one thing that will annoy you.

What you need to work out, however, is whether the urge to exit is being driven by a real desire for change, or just by a bit of a bad attitude. Bad attitudes can develop for a number of reasons, and sometimes they become so ingrained that they are habitual and we don't even know we have them.

If you find that you look for faults, focus on negatives and tend to be overly critical both in life and at work, it may be time to check yourself.

Adjusting your attitude can help quell your restlessness at work. When you find yourself being critical or negative, stop and acknowledge that it's happening, and then try to find one positive thing in the situation to focus on. The more you practice this, the more you'll find your attitude gradually shifting.

Remember to accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative!

Look at your skills

Are you feeling overwhelmed by your current role? It could be that your current industry has evolved around you and you haven't kept your skills up-to-date.

Feeling confident in your job and your ability to do it well can be a huge factor in whether or not you're satisfied in the workplace. Try brushing up your skills with a short course or study an updated certificate or diploma while you work with TAFE Digital.

Need a big change?

Are you willing to start at the bottom of the career ladder and work your way up? If you're starting a brand new career, this may be something that you have to do, so be prepared.

Think about what has made you unhappy in your current role. Perhaps you are passionate but the pay doesn't match your lifestyle. Or, maybe you get paid like a rockstar but you're passion has gone.

Choose your new career in an area that will meet your long term needs.

Volunteer or intern

A great way to get some experience under your belt and work out if the job is for you, is to volunteer or intern a day a week. You may need to cut back on your paid work or other activities, but it's worth it.

Volunteering or interning will get you work experience, networking opportunities, an insider's view of the industry (before you make the full career leap), and may even land you a permanent role in the company.

You can find volunteer or intern positions by calling up companies that you are interested in and offering up your time, or by hopping on to job sites like Seek and Indeed and looking through the volunteer and internship sections on the sites.

Final thoughts

Ultimately, when considering a career move you need to be sure that the grass really is greener on the other side.

Spend the time and do your research to make sure that the job you're moving into is really going to make you happy, that it will provide enough money to live on, and will give you a healthy work/life balance.

By taking the time to properly research and plan your career leap, you may save yourself from moving into a job that will wind up making you unhappy.

Have fun with it, open yourself up to possibilities and move forward with confidence.

Meanwhile, if you're looking for a way to boost your skills, or to fill a qualification gap, check-out the TAFE NSW courses that will give your career the edge.

Courses for change