"I want a new career"

Not me, I feel very fortunate to love what I do. But, that is a statement I hear quite often. How do I take the skills from the industry I am in and try them in a new industry? It's not as hard as you think. We all have great skills that will transfer to new industries. The BIG adjustment will be the pay cut you must first take.

I know, I know, you have these great skills and don't think you SHOULD take a pay cut. Ask yourself this: Would you hire someone that has NO experience in your industry, but great sales skills (or insert other skill set) and pay them the same base as you currently earn? Of course not. Don't expect the same earnings - you are learning something new.

Another important thing is to not just "jump ship". I know several people who up and quit (or got laid off) from a position to start in a new career, then ended up hating it. First, find an "expert" in a field of interest and call/e-mail and ask them for a conversation. Ask the good, the bad and the ugly. After hearing more, you might decide you don't want to do that.

Take a class. There are tons of "free universities" out there that offer short classes on a myriad choice of topics.

I once took a "wedding photography" (don't ask me why) class - it was a great class and after 3 classes I knew that I would shoot myself if that was even a hobby.

Volunteer - organizations love volunteers. Use your sales skills to help fund raise. You never know whom you might meet.