As you launch your job search, have you validated where you will get the best traction... or are you just winging it and hoping for the best?
Have you applied a research strategy to get to know what your options are and what makes the most sense? Or are you planning on applying to anything that presents itself?
Well, you could certainly do the latter, but I wouldn't recommend this approach.
I am a firm believer in the power of "going slow, to go fast," if you are in a situation where you don't need to nab that next job opportunity ASAP (as we all know, sometimes, you have to take a job to pay the bills-, and of course in that type of situation---you set a different plan.) But, if you are starting out to explore what the possibilities are, and have time to "do it right,"---you owe it to yourself to "go slow, to go fast," so that you are building a solid foundation for your search.
Especially if you are looking to "change lanes;" conduct some research on the front-end. This could be done by reaching out to your network directly or by conducting an Informational Interview Strategy that allows you to explore and validate whether or not your "change the lane" idea makes sense.
If you decide to "just wing it," you could end up spinning your wheels with a lot of activity that yields minimal results, leading to frustration and emotional resignation.
One of the best and easiest "research" strategies is to conduct Informational Interviews. The best book I know out there that can guide you is the "20-Minute Networking Meeting - Professional Edition: Learn to Network. Get a Job." which will guide you through every step of this strategy.
To Your Empowerment and Success,
Piper