Is It Time for a Career Change? 3 Signs It Might Be
Is it time for a career change? Career change is something that happens to all professionals. Long gone are the days when we stay in the same career or company for 20+ years. While this might be true for some individuals, for most people, switching jobs or even careers every few years is now becoming the norm. With many industries dying and many popping up in their place, many professionals are constantly considering a change with the influx of information we now have.
The signs below are not to encourage you to quit your job, but rather these signs are invitations to pause, reflect, and explore—not necessarily instructions to leave.
Sign 1: You’ve Lost Interest in the Work
When you find that tasks that once felt good to do now feel repetitive and meaningless, and you are just going through the motions, or you are asking yourself, “Why am I doing this?” This could be the first sign that it is either time to move on or to look at ways to enhance your daily work routine.
When you are feeling this way, start to look for ways to learn new skills either in the workplace or outside of the workplace.
Ask your manager what else you can do to learn new skills, have a list of things that you would like to take part in at the workplace, and go from there. You could see about arranging an employee wellness day or taking on new responsibilities.
However, if you are set on leaving your current position, then explore new skills through reading, learning, and taking courses.
Sign 2: Your Work Is Consistently Affecting Your Well-Being
When your work is affecting you for years on end it can result in poor health, disturbance in relationships, and a decline in mental health. If you experience ongoing stress, dread work, are always “on” after work is done, are experiencing burnout, or if work is just affecting your everyday life, there are a few solutions.
The first one is not to quit your job but to begin your search for a new job. But before you jump into the next role, make sure it is a fit for you and your values and that you are not getting into the same situation as before. The second is that it could just be a temporary situation where communication isn’t clear between you and your employer. Try to communicate with your employer how you are feeling and try to work around accommodations if possible.
Sign 3: Your Skills Aren’t Being Used
When people are in roles where their skills and talents are not being used, to it can lead to frustration, boredom, and work sabotage. When selecting where to apply for roles, it is always important to see if it will challenge you in positive ways that help you grow as a professional.
When you are in this situation, think about what are you are good at that you are not getting the opportunity to use. For example, maybe you just took the first job that came along so you could have an income. Consider taking on side gigs or interests that you can use your skills for, and that could generate an income. This will not only help you expand your resume and network, but will also help you to use skills you already have that will help you grow professionally and personally.
A career change doesn’t always begin with handing in your resignation. Sometimes it begins with asking yourself better questions.
