Being stuck at a job you don’t like can be frustrating. It sucks out your enthusiasm and may even lead to depression in severe cases. When it starts to affect your mental and physical health, it may be time to make the switch. This process cannot be easy because there are a lot of considerations to make. If you are thinking that a career change will be your ticket to a satisfying professional life, it will be an excellent time to start considering different positions and fields. Here are some steps to take before making the final decision.
1. Be Specific About the Problem
The first step to take is to be certain about what isn’t working. Understand what is causing you distress. Is it your boss, coworkers, or the long commute? Will switching teams or quitting make you happy? Do you still have an irrational fear about the work despite changing scenery? If the problem is the job itself then a more drastic change is required.
2. Find the Things You Like About Your Present Role
When you first started your current role, what motivated you? Was it the daily responsibilities or the promise of a growing career? Think about the parts of your current job you still enjoy and try to understand why they still make you happy. Is creativity required for the job? How about number crunching or strategic thinking? Do you want a job that’s constantly changing or that is relatively stable? All these factors should be considered before deciding to switch jobs. According to Jobtraininghub.com, assessing the likes and dislikes of your current job will give you a better idea of what to avoid or seek out in your next career.
3. Think About Your Core Values
A good cultural fit is essential in any job you choose. Think about your values and look for them in the potential company you intend to move to. Will the company culture complement your own? Do you value community, autonomy, and innovation? Do you want to work where the status quo is maintained or would you prefer to work towards a benevolent cause? No matter what your values include, you need to be honest with yourself when taking a self-inventory. Give a thought to those jobs that you covet to know if it is the role that makes you want it or its empowering or freedom culture. Find out what role would make you feel alive even though you aren’t sure you should be doing it. It is possible that your values have changed since the first time you started working, and this is completely fine. Just make sure that you are clear about your priorities.
4. Assess Your Skill and Strength Gaps
What would you do if you didn’t have to consider time, money, location, or anything else? This is an excellent time to figure it out. Making a complete change is not feasible overnight, but considering how your present role and the potential one overlap may help. Think about technical skills or transferable skills. Don’t forget the network connections and related experience as they can help you to transition smoothly, especially if both jobs are not related at all. Some people have used sites like Bootcamprankings to learn new skills. It is also ideal to chart out any gaps in your experience and skills that may affect you in the long run. Start being creative—it will help. Consider starting a side gig or doing an internship on a part-time basis. If possible, return to school. A career is like a long journey that may take time to perfect so be patient and try to develop your plan.
5. Develop Your Plan
After thoroughly assessing yourself, the next step would be to map out your goals and identify short term milestones as you go along. Be sure to give yourself a reasonable timeline to polish your brand and boost your search for a career. As you go on, focus on growing your network and reaching old contacts while developing your skills.
Conclusion
When you decide to start a new career, do not be frightened or disheartened in your search for a fresh start. Always do a self-check to ensure that your new role aligns with your goals for the long term. Know when it is time to walk away even if you feel it is too soon. It is not too late to start over. It may take a while but you will find a career that you will love for the rest of your life.