How do you know when it’s time for a career change?
When your current job isn’t working out how you expected and you’re feeling increasingly dissatisfied, is this a blip that will pass or is it time to jump ship? The pandemic has had a big impact on people’s desire for change – a 2021 poll by Aviva found that 3 in 5 workers are seeking to make changes to their career, with increased salary prospects, better work-life balance and improved job satisfaction cited as the main reasons for wanting to make a switch (London School of Business and Finance).
But how do you know if this is the right time for you?
Questions to ask yourself
Giving yourself the space to reflect on some of the questions below can pay dividends in helping you to assess whether this is just a storm that’s likely to pass, or a sign that a career change is needed:
How long have you been dissatisfied with your current role?
Do the negative thoughts about work come and go or are they persistent?
What has led to your current dissatisfaction?
Is there anything you can do right now or in the near future to make a difference?
How would you feel if this time next year you’re in the same position as you are now?
Imagine if you woke up tomorrow and everything felt better – all of your work problems had disappeared. What might have needed to change for that to happen? How different would it look and feel to your current work?
Signs you shouldn’t ignore
When one or more of the below things are present over a significant period of time, it’s a real sign you need to start taking action:
The ‘Sunday-night blues’ are increasing: perhaps you’re starting to feel a heavy cloud over most of your weekend now, or an overwhelming feeling whenever you think about work.
You feel exhausted most of the time and it’s stopping you from doing the things you previously enjoyed outside of work.
Your family and friends have noticed a change in you – perhaps you’re irritable and taking things out on those closest to you, or you’re becoming more withdrawn.
You are self-medicating to try and blot out your feelings about the next day.
You’re a different person in work and out of work: you feel the need to put on an act or hide aspects of yourself. Your colleagues don’t know the ‘real’ you.
Taking action and getting support
If you’ve identified that you need to change your career, the next step is to figure out what needs to change and to come up with a plan for how you will get there. Going through all of this on your own, or having the same conversations with friends and family, can keep you stuck from moving forward. It’s important to recognise that there is another way and you really can make changes towards career fulfilment.
Need more help?
Contact Georgie now to discuss your situation and to explore how coaching can help you.