One of the upsides of the recent economic crisis is that more people are thinking about their jobs. The result? Many employees are coming to the conclusion that they’re not entirely happy in their careers. If you’re considering a change, here are a few guidelines.

• Make sure it isn’t a fluke. Everyone has bad days at the office, but it’s almost always a mistake to make a career change on a whim. Once you think you’ve decided to make a change, live with the decision for a few weeks and see if you still feel the same.
• Evaluate your interests. Your only thought may be what you don’t want to do, rather than what you do. To help you decide on a new career path, read books on the subject, visit websites that offer interest surveys, and talk to friends and family about what they see as your strengths.
• Take baby steps into a new career. Once a career strikes your fancy, talk to people who currently work in your desired field. Even better: Ask whether you can shadow them for a day or two to get a better feel for the day-to-day routine.

Get the necessary training. Some career changes require years of additional study, while others may only demand a single course or new software. Make sure you understand exactly what qualifications/training you need in order to step into a new career. And then decide if you’re up to the task.