Is your current job at a standstill? Have you maxed out opportunities in your current company? Are you ready for new challenges? If so, you may be ripe for a career change. Related: 6 Ways To Figure Out What You Want In A Job For years, the US Department of Labor projected that Americans would change careers, not just jobs, an average of 8-11 times throughout their working lives. I've not seen many people alter their career trajectory quite that much, but change is certainly an inherent part of the post-2008 labor market for us all. Whether you perceive a need to make a shift in the direction of your career or find yourself compelled to change based on market conditions, there are six steps you'll need to take to navigate a career change proactively.