Do you lack the motivation to continue doing what you do? Does your job make you feel bored and miserable? Do you feel like you’ve outgrown your position?
Perhaps a career change is just what you need.
A change might benefit you, but you must be careful. Before you start applying to anything and everything on job lists, do take a moment to think about your professional future.
If you’re stuck at your current job and want to change something, this is what you need to do:
Think it Through: Are You Sure You Need a Career Change?
Are you certain that your job doesn’t fulfill you anymore? Could it be another issue completely unrelated to your job that affects your motivation and therefore, your performance?
Before you make any hasty decisions, ask yourself: is a career change what I really need?
Is there a possibility that the job is not the problem but the company you work for? Poor management often causes employees to feel undervalued and disappointed, which directly affects employee satisfaction and retention.
If you realize the problem are the circumstances, not what you do, then you should just look for another job in your industry.
However, if you’re certain that the job is, in fact, the problem and you no longer see yourself doing what you do, it’s time for a career change.
What Do You Want to Do?
If your current job doesn’t make you happy anymore, do you have a different job in mind that would be a logical choice? Think about why you don’t enjoy doing what you do anymore, is there a position that you feel would make you happy?
Your new career path should correspond to your core values and beliefs. If it doesn’t, then you’ll probably wind up in the same place you are now: thinking about another career change. Think about the type of business you would like to work for and the company culture that would best fit your personality. Come up with a list of desirable occupations you can see yourself in.
If you have no clue what you would want to do or become careerwise, perhaps seeking help from a professional career coach is a worthwhile decision. They will guide you through the process of career soul-searching by helping you ask the right questions. Either way, a self-assessment is in order if you want to move forward with your career. There are plenty of career tests online you can take to help you figure out what your interests and motives are.
Question Your Skills
This is the moment when you need to be objective. If you’ve set your mind on a new career path, ask yourself do you have what it takes to succeed at that job?
A job market is a cruel place if we’re being honest. Yes, having the job-specific skills and the experience is crucial, but sometimes, that is not enough. Do your research to find out what is needed to land a job in said industry.
If the job requires skills you don’t have, there are ways to acquire these skills. Depending on the job you want, you can take online courses, apply for internships to gain experience, go back to school, etc.
For example, if your wish is to start an online business, then you’ll need to learn all you can about starting a home-based business, entrepreneurship, e-commerce, etc.
Perhaps you possess some transferable skills that are highly valued in most jobs these days. But it is important to be objective when performing this self-assessment. Be honest with yourself regarding your skills and abilities to avoid disappointment later.
Can You Afford a Career Change?
If you feel depleted at your current job, then probably all you’re thinking about is a career change. But have you considered the financial aspect of it? Can you afford the transition?
Changing your career path may be costly, especially if you’ll be taking time off to acquire the employability skills for your target occupation. Keep in mind that the transition period can take longer than you expected. It could be years. How will you finance the change?
If you don’t have enough savings and a solid financial plan to support yourself until you land a job in your desired industry, you’ll probably come to a point where you regret quitting your steady job.
Develop a Plan
If you don’t have available funds to get you through this, your only other option is to keep working on your career change goals while keeping your current job. Do your research in the evenings, take classes, go to job interviews in your spare time.
The financial aspect of a career change might demotivate you, but do not give up on your goals. It only means you need to develop a good plan, save money, start cutting some unnecessary costs, or even move to a cheaper apartment. Giving up the little luxuries or your beautiful apartment might sound too difficult but think of it as an investment in your happiness.
Michael has been working in marketing for almost a decade and has worked with a huge range of clients, which has made him knowledgeable on many different subjects. He has recently rediscovered a passion for writing and hopes to make it a daily habit. You can read more of Michael’s work at Qeedle.
