If this is the year for a job or career change there are three ways to approach it:

1. Statistically.
      Start by asking, “Where are the hot jobs?” Then choose a new direction based on job growth, demand and salary potential.

2. Emotionally.
      Pursue a direction that greatly matters to you and utilizes skills you’ve honed or want to develop. This might be something you’ve always dreamed of or feel moved to do.

3. Strategically.
      Weigh two factors: projected outlook and who you are and what you like to do.

What’s the best approach?

The first one--based on statistics or someone’s standards of "what’s hot"--is a recipe for disaster.

I know too many people who “got into computers” because predictions said the hottest jobs were in computers. Even though this expertise is needed (seven of the top 20 jobs most likely to be in greatest demand in the next decade will call for computer expertise, according to Fortune), these people are now searching for work they really want to do.

The second approach seems to work better. Doing something for the love of it can be very satisfying. You do, though, want to be prepared for what you’re getting into—which might be back-breaking work, low pay or an industry that’s highly competitive or not necessarily growing.

Take the accountant who became a belly dancer. She didn’t do it for the job security. If she had, she would have never left accounting.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), dancers face intense competition and only the most talented find regular employment. Employment is only expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations through 2014—nine to 17 percent.

Accounting, on the other hand, is expected to grow faster than average through 2014—between 18 and 26 percent.

There’s also the documentary filmmaker who became a farmer.

Employment for agricultural workers is projected to decline. Wages are low and the job is physically demanding. But she went for it because it was what she liked to do it—hot job or not.

The most sensible approach for most people is to go into something with your eyes wide-open. The direction you pick would be a good match with what matters to you most and what you like to do. Plus you’ve got a reasonable belief that there will be work for you to do in the future.

Start by looking at how jobs are created, which is based on demand which is driven by trends. If you want to know what work will be in demand, look at what consumers are demanding. What changes are taking place in industries as populations grow and shift, as markets open up and product competition increases?

Look at what’s being hailed as the top growing areas—just don’t make that your sole criteria. Understanding why areas are growing helps you make a more strategic choice.

For example, about three out of every 10 new jobs created in the U.S between now and 2014 will be in education or health services. That’s because there’s an increased demand for healthcare and social assistance. And that’s because populations are aging and are expected to live longer. Plus, as more women enter the labor force, demand for childcare is expected to grow, says the BLS.

It’s estimated that 1.9 million new jobs will be created in professional, scientific and technical services by 2014. This is being fueled by the increased reliance of businesses on information technology and maintaining system and network security, states the BLS. To feed the increased use of technology and computer software and growing complexity of business, management, scientific and technical consulting services will grow by 60.5 percent.

First and foremost, look at what’s inside you and raring to contribute. Then ask: Where do I fit into what’s out there and where the world is heading?

© by Andrea Kay