Making a career switch

If you are thinking about a career change, chances are the climbing unemployment rate has you too scared to even start looking. But are your options really that bleak? Here are some tips about how even in these tough times you can make headway on switching careers - and getting hired.

1) Use your time now to determine where you'd be happy later

No question it's a tough job market out there. Many companies are in hiring freezes or shipping jobs overseas right now. Even so it's a perfect time to focus on your career goals, so that when the economy does bounce back, you can be ready to apply.

The first thing you need to do is self-assess. The Web is full of great sites that can help you assess your personal skill set and find jobs that might be both fulfilling and rewarding. Online.onetcenter.org and Careeronestop.org both offer free online self-assessment tests and up-to-date employment information on a range of industries.

2) Find way to do a job before you commit

While these sites will definitely help you narrow down your options, the truth is you never know what a job is going to be like, hour-to-hour, until you've actually seen it up close. Go to careervoyages.gov to find videos of people working in specific vocations. You can watch bakers, geologists even fashion designers doing their thing. Try to find mentors in the areas you wish to explore and ask if you can shadow them. Look for part-time internships or volunteer opportunities that you might be able to fit into your regular work schedule.

3) Hone your marketable skills now

To really make the most of this recession, spend your time developing the skills that will most appeal to future employers. That doesn't mean you have to commit to another four years of school. Try to use your current position as a launching pad: see if your employer offers training opportunities for any skills that might be transferable to another job down the road. Look at class offerings online and at local community colleges, many of which tailor programs to what local industries are looking for in job candidates.

Catch Gerri's Top Tips daily at 11:20 am Eastern Time on CNN.