- Criticism, Resistance and Opposition: As much as you want support and backing from everyone around you, don't expect it. As excited as you are about bounding ahead with your new career, some people will think you're nuts. Just when you ask for friendly advice from an old schoolmate, she tells you to abandon the project: "You're never going to make it-you know nothing about the business. When you go through the little money you socked away, what then? It's a crap shoot all the way. If you want smart advice, stick with your current career. You'll save yourself an awful lot of aggravation in the end."
Instead of blatant criticism, be prepared for naysayers tossing old-fashioned guilt in your face: "Hey, Ethel, it sounds great in theory. I'm sure there are thousands of people like you who thought they could accomplish the same thing and fell flat on their faces.
What if you fail? Have you thought about what you're putting your family through? You're going to take them down with you. What you're doing is pretty selfish."
Like they say, when friends like this are dishing out doomsday advice, who needs enemies? Toughen up and get ready to absorb negative reactions. There is no predicting how people are going to react when you tell them you're contemplating a change and seek their advice. Some may think you've gone off the deep end, while others may be jealous because you've got the guts to do something they only fantasize about doing.
- Rejection: Rejection is part of the job-hunting game. The average job seeker has a tough enough time finding a job; it's twice as hard for the career changer. No matter how determined and talented you are, face facts; many employers have serious doubts about hiring anyone over 50. Just imagine what they'll think of the 50-year-old career changer who spent 10 or 20 years doing something else. You may be rejected several times before you land an acceptable job. You may experience intense frustration because employers never give you straight answers. Like I said, get tough. Rejection is part of the game and there is nothing you can do but absorb it, learn from it, and most important not let it squelch your enthusiasm.
- Periods of Self-Doubt, Despair, Despondency, And Depression: Self-doubt is often the aftermath of rejection. No matter how confident you are, at times you'll doubt yourself and wonder whether you're making the right move. As much as you'd like to remain optimistic and charged, some days nothing will seem to go right. You'll get rejection letters from employers and, worse yet, second-party turn-downs from their assistants. You'll spend days working up lengthy proposals for unique business concepts only to have them rejected after a superficial reading. You'll become depressed because no one will give you the time of day. Clearly, it takes a strong ego to overcome setbacks like these. There'll be despondent days when you feel like wailing the blues from sunrise to sunset.
Sounds pretty grim. Yet, just when you think the world is coming apart before your eyes, the sun comes out bright and strong, and the world looks more radiant and conquerable. The message is simple: Stay at the helm and never abandon ship, no matter what kind of treacherous squalls you encounter.
- Lengthy Periods of Inaction: Get used to the idea that things seldom happen quickly, especially in large companies. Decisions are rarely made by one person. Small companies take action faster because there are fewer decision makers. But even there, you're relegated to a bottom-of-the-pile decision. And then there is the interview process, which can amount to several interviews spaced over 2 or 3 weeks. All things considered, it could be months before a decision is made. Like it or not, waiting is part of the game. Smart career changers learn early in the game that it's important to keep busy every minute of the day.
- Setbacks: Expect a few setbacks as well. Just when you thought you were making inroads, something unexpected happens and you're back to square one. No matter how meticulously you plan your career change; there will be days, even weeks, when nothing seems to go right. See these setbacks as temporary barricades and get back to the business at hand.
