A lot of people dream about changing their jobs. Unfortunately, far too few of them actually follow through with it - the prospect of going back to the drawing board seems too daunting.

However, as industries shift, jobs become more fluid and markets open and close like the changing winds - sometimes people are left with no option but to change careers.

Making the change to entirely different career can seem a difficult and scary prospect - particularly when someone has spent years or decades in a particular role.

Here are some tips to help you or your loved ones make that career change a little less traumatic.

Start with the simple questions ... unfortunately they're not that simple!

The first, and probably most obvious, place to start is to think about what kind of career you're interested in? What level and what industry? Think about what you are suited for and what your transferable skills are.

This is probably the hardest but most important step in the whole process. Without it your job search will be like a plastic bag caught in a gale - you could end up anywhere! However - once you start coming up with some exciting ideas you will be able to focus your job search and any training you might need to do. Good start.

Career Counsellors

Career counsellors can be really helpful if you're struggling to pin down what you want to do and where you want to be in life. They usually have postgraduate degrees in things like employment psychology, counselling and/or human resources. Some cost money - others are attached to job centres, universities and colleges and are usually free. The ones you pay for will probably be more focused on you, your goals and give a more rounded answer but the others will also have some really useful and helpful tips to get you started.

Family and friends could help but it is useful to get the opinion of an objective person like a careers counsellor. As with most things - the more views you have on the subject the more informed you will be which will help your decision making.

Get out there and get dirty!

Nothing will give you a better idea about what you want and don't want than actually working in the industry and seeing what it has to offer. If you've got the time you could volunteer, ask to shadow an employee for the day or look at non-profit organisations that do similar work to what you're thinking of. For example, if you're thinking about construction then there are lots of non-profit firms looking for volunteers overseas to help build houses and schools and things. I'm sure there are some local to you as well - speak to your local council or do a bit of searching on the net.

Test through some temping

Another way you could try different industries is to sign up to some temping agencies. There are plenty all around the country that are looking to fill roles across a wide range of industries - best of all, you also get a bit of cash in hand as well even if you find that it's not for you and you want to try something else.

Temping is a great way to learn what it's like without committing yourself too much. And it's paid! Brilliant!

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Another way to find out what's around is by going through occupational handbooks. Most job centres will have them and there are plenty of guides on the internet. You can trawl through the handbook and think about the kind of careers you'd like to look into.

Most of these tips have been about focusing your goals and giving you a clear idea about what you'd like to do and that is essentially where any midlife career change needs to begin. These days it's far more common to change your career - employees typically shift jobs every 4 to 5 years on average. So you're certainly not the only one. As well as that, career changes can be a really exciting time and will certainly help you develop as a person.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to you but if you're thinking about changing a career or don't really have a choice then these steps should help. Try to enjoy the change, although it might be hard at first, and good luck with any moves you decide to make.