It is time for a career change? Is your work-life balance out of sync? If you’ve found yourself of late thinking of taking a career change quiz chances are you have already passed the test. Even so, there may be hesitation to change. You may feel unsure. After all, a career change can be challenging. Leaving behind what you know has its pros and cons. Being established in one field carries with it a certain degree of comfort. In that case, it may be that you are simply burned out on the job, not your work. You may just need a change of scenery, not a career. It’s worth considering—are you looking to do what you know somewhere else or go somewhere else and do something completely different?
It’s an important distinction and a key question to ask yourself before making a career change because the challenges associated with making such a change can be daunting. The fear of uncertainty alone may have you second-guessing yourself. Moving into a new field requires a plan and a clear strategy. Without one, you’ll be second-guessing yourself throughout the entire process. Combined with that uncertainty could be feelings of self-doubt. Rather than focusing on the skills, expertise and experience you have, a sudden lack of confidence in that skill set may leave you unsure of your abilities. Uncertainty and self-doubt aside, it just may be that you haven’t looked for a new job in a very long time. It’s no secret the job search process has changed dramatically over the past twenty years. From using the right mobile apps to apply for jobs to network building on LinkedIn, learning how to navigate the new search methods can be time-consuming and overwhelming.
Challenges aside, before making the change, there are several key questions one should consider to help determine whether it’s time for a new career. Before you make that transition, ask yourself:
Are You Passionate About Your Work?
If once interesting projects have become mundane and boring or have difficulties finishing even routine tasks, it’s a telltale sign of job burnout. Losing the drive and energy that was once a passion is a sure sign it’s time for a career change.
Are You Feeling Trapped?
Come Monday morning if your first thoughts of the week are on making it to Friday afternoon, there’s a good chance you’re feeling trapped. You’re at a point where there is no room for growth or professional development. The cubical you occupy has metaphorically and literally become a wall blocking your progress. You have gone as far as you can with the company and it’s time for a change.
Are You Lacking Motivation or Challenge?
When you lack motivation or are no longer challenged by your work, it’s a sure sign to move on to something more worthwhile. That lack of motivation can affect your performance, have you running late on projects or completely missing deadlines. If there is no challenge in what you’re doing, it can lead to frustration. The motivation and challenge you have lost may be found in a new career.
Do You Have a Work-Life Balance?
A work-life balance is essential to a person’s quality of life. When out of balance, one’s health can be seriously affected. From bad eating habits and drinking too much to high blood pressure, irritability, and anger, an unfulfilling career can have a negative impact on your life and leave you frustrated. If life and work are out of balance, it is time for a change.
Do You Identify with Your Work?
If you have difficulty talking about your job or have few positive things to say about it, you’re well on your way to changing careers. In general, people who have trouble articulating what they do for work, or waffle or deflect questions about their job, do not identify with what they do and are not happy with their professional life. If you feel uncomfortable talking about your career and career choice, it’s time for a change.
Core Themes Can Help!
If you have answered “Yes” to any of these questions but still fear change, are hesitant or feel overwhelmed about making a move, you owe it to yourself to visit an executive career change coach, someone who can ease the career change process and get you on the right path to achieving a work-life balance. Executive career change coaches can provide you with the information you need to make a clear plan, develop strategies, and build confidence to ensure the transition to a new career is a smooth one. A transition to a new career should not be guided by indecision, second thoughts, and later regret making wrong choices that were motivated by the need for change without a clear strategy in place. An executive career change coach will help you make meaningful and ideal career decisions. Ones that can help you achieve your career goals—and help ensure that your work and personal life are happily integrated. Core Themes career development counselors are currently working with folks across the country – in person, on the telephone, and via video conference. Contact us today!