1) Self Assessment: What do you have in your background that would indicate you have some natural or learned ability in this direction? Looking back to your high school college days, were you on the debating team or have a lead part in a stage production? This might indicate you have some natural predisposition towards sales. It may indicate you are good on your feet and in front of strangers and, especially as a debater, you are effective at marshalling facts in real time situations, which as sales rep you would have to do in order to succeed.

2) Reconnaissance/Networking: Talk to people who are doing what you are considering. Ask them:

What they like and dislike about their current job? How long does it take to reach a professional performance level? What did they have to learn along the way? What they would advise you not to do? What would they do differently if they were to start over? What are the compensation facts of life? What do they enjoy the most about what they do?

It would be premature to ask if they know of any openings in the field you are thinking of entering as you are still at the fact gathering phase. To do otherwise would create the poor impression and you might embarrass them if they do not know of any openings. However, if one of them volunteers such a possibility, you should explore it.

Make sure to thank them. When you have completed all your research, you can then come back to these same people, tell them what you have learned, the decisions you have made, and if you have decided to pursue the career change, you can then ask if they have any more specific suggestions.

3) Prepare a Resume: A great way to see how strong your background is for the career you are considering is to prepare a resume positioning you for this new career. So go the internet, find some ads for jobs you feel you can handle and for which you would like to interview. Write the resume that best presents you for these opportunities. Remember the purpose of your resume is to get the interview, so be a persuasive as you honestly can.

This exercise does more than produce a resume. It will cause you to further analyze your past for skills and experiences that are germane for that which you wish to be considered. In addition, it will help you identify the gaps that need to be addressed. You might need to take a step backward in your new career path in

4) Test Drive: In the same way you would "test drive" a car before buying it, you should test the new career. For example, our unhappy accountant could volunteer to raise funds for a local charity or alma mater. If you are thinking of opening a business or buying a franchise, get a job doing this same line of work for a couple months.

5) Study: Take some courses to see if you are comfortable with the underlying concepts on which the career you are considering is based. In our sales example, an account should take some courses in marketing.

6) Internal Shift: If you are employed, explore to see if there are some sales related opportunities where you are. Companies prefer reassigning proven talent rather than hiring unknowns. Using our example, you could ask your supervisor if next month you could be the presenter of a future formal presentation to next-level management. Or explore for some positions on the sales side of the business where sales management might really want somebody with your numeric skills such as a Pricing Manager.

7) Stick with What You Know: If you decide to leave your current company, find a product to represent with which you are familiar and about which feel positive. Talk to your current vendors and suppliers, one of them might need an additional sales person and jump at the chance to hire a former satisfied customer who can talk to potential customers as a satisfied user. Again, using the example of an accountant, you would do well to consider representing financial information service.

These notes have been prepared by Erik Rambusch, Director of Career Services, Partners in Human resources International in New York City. If you have any thoughts or suggestions please email them to Erambusch@partners-international.com

About the Author

Erik Rambusch is Director of Career Services. Prior to joining Partners, Erik headed his own consulting firm, worked with other national outplacement firms, provided executive coaching with Marshall Goldsmith and recruited for GE Capital, Gillette and Xerox. During this period he co-authored two books: Conquer Resume Objections and Conquer Interview Objections, and completed a survey regarding changes in job search techniques since the introd