Feel trapped in a maze? Before you conclude you need confidence or courage, start with something simpler: information.

When clients purusing a job change call to say, "I didn't realize what I was getting into," we soon learn they have skipped an important step. Research!

Do your research early:

1. Begin with a list of your own top values as well as a template of your ideal job. For example, your values might be "family, joy and freedom." Your template might include "have my own office, flexible work hours, technical challenge."

2. Choose no more than two fields to start. For example, you might investigate human resources and pubic relations. For the next two weeks, focus only on those fields. As you immerse yourself in the jargon, issues and people in that field, notice your reaction. Do you find yourself drawn to those people, wanting more? Or are you beginning to cringe as you continue the research?

3. Begin with library and Internet research. Type the name of your field into a search engine and see what comes up. Search online bookstores and library catalogs for books written by people in a particular field. Out-of-print books often can be ordered through your library's Interlibrary Loan program.

   Special tip: Visit the Dream Jobs to Go website for low-cost, informative ebooks that describe careers realistically. You'll get the lowdown on everything from life coaching to caretaking to adult education teaching.

4. Brush up on the customs and courtesies of informational interviewing. In addition to What Color is Your Parachute, I recommend the books: So What Are You Going To Do With That? and How to Say It in Your Job Search.

   Midlife career changers will gain considerable wisdom from the book The Age Advantage

5. Learn the professional organizations associated with your chosen fields. For example, public relations specialists meet at PRSA (Public Relations Society of America) and Women in Communications, among others. Training pros find their way to American Society for Training and Development.

   Often your local chapter's officers will be happy to refer you to informational resources. When you attend lunch or dinner meetings, exchange business cards and arrange to follow up with informational interviews, by phone or in person.

6. Interview at least six people who can handle the tough questions: "How did you get here? What did you do right? What do you like best -- and what drives you crazy?" Don't stop till you get some negatives on the table.

   Tip: Some people have been overwhelmed by informational interviews and they will say no. Don't take it personally, especially if your target earns a living by dispensing information. After getting four "I want to be a coach" calls in one week, I wrote an ebook, Cathy's Irreverent Guide to Starting Life as a Coach. It costs less than taking me to lunch -- and you get a lot more information.

7. If your new career calls for a return to school, ask six recent graduates -- not professors or admissions staff -- how they benefited from attending a particular school. You may hear, "It didn't really help me get a job [or get clients for my business] but it was a lot of fun and I learned a lot." That's a warning signal!

8. Offer to volunteer or work part-time to learn the ropes. Often you will get to see the new career from the inside. However, a volunteer or part-timer often gets a distorted view of a career. I began my academic career as an adjunct instructor. Life as a tenure-track and later tenured professor was very different! And I know people who hated candy striping but went on to happy medical careers.

9. Shadow someone for a complete day -- or more. Shadow two or three people for at least half a day as they do their jobs.

   Talk to a coach, counselor or good friend about your reactions. It is important to separate your feelings about the career from your feelings about that particular workplace. And it is important to explore all your observations and reactions -- positive and negative.

10. Begin to tell people you know -- and strangers, too -- about the options you are considering. Notice their reactions. Are they wet blankets or poison darts?

    How do you feel as you say, "I am considering become a..."

    If you're a little awkward of uncomfortable, you may want to work with a career coach or counselor to understand what your intuition is trying to tell you.

To contact Cathy, email: Cathy@MovingLady.com or call 505-534-4294.