Dear Kate & Dale: I have spent the last 11 years working as a counselor in the mental-health field. I have never liked this career, but as I invested a large amount of time and money preparing for it, I could not let go. Meanwhile, I changed jobs frequently trying to make this career feel satisfying. I can now admit that this field was a mistake, and I think I know the area I want to go into – insurance. I have an interview scheduled, and I’m wondering how to broach the subject of job changes, letting them know my change is related to an overall dissatisfaction, not the result of running away. – Marvin

Kate: As for having frequently changed jobs, your resume could have an overall heading for the employment section that reads:

“Counselor, mental health (1994 – Present)”

Then you list the companies you’ve worked for.

Dale: That will help with employers, but what troubles me, Marvin, is your saying, “I THINK I know the area I want to go into.” Having spent more than a decade deciding against your current career, there’s a danger that you’ve become an expert on what you DON’T WANT, having learned too little about what will excite and motivate you.

Kate: That’s important because the underlying issue for your interview is convincing insurance people that you are indeed interested in their field. How do you know where you want to work in insurance? Have you worked closely with insurance companies? Answer those questions and you’ll have the proof you need to convince hiring managers.

Dale: And, perhaps, proof enough to convince yourself. If not, your doubt will show up in the interview as hesitation and defensiveness, and you’ll find yourself criticizing your old career. On the other hand, if you are relishing your new future and are evolving into it, then you won’t have a problem in the interview.

¢ Dear Kate & Dale: I am leaving my current employer after only a few months because they won’t give me time off to have surgery. However, it will be several weeks after surgery until I can recuperate. How do I tell a new employer why I’ve been out of work without scaring them off with the impression that I am in poor health? – Kimberly

Kate: You should know, Kimberly, that finding a new job might take months, especially given that you are changing fields. If you can make the timing work out, I would suggest you look for a new job first; then, once you’ve landed it, delay your start date long enough to have the surgery and recover. You needn’t make a big issue of it; you simply explain to your new employer that you need some elective surgery and you’d rather get it out of the way before you start so you won’t have to interrupt your new job.

Dale: No decent boss could refuse, and most would think better of you for it. On the other hand, if you don’t have the option of delaying the medical procedure, once you’ve recovered and are back looking for a job, your explanation to prospective employers doesn’t change: You wanted to get the surgery out of the way before starting the next phase of your career. If you look and act healthy, no employer is going to want to dwell on your surgery.