Have you been feeling stuck and unfulfilled in your career? The road to success isn’t always straight, and sometimes you can go in the wrong direction.
Deciding to change your career path may seem easy, but it’s not as simple as it may seem. There are many things to consider, and getting ready to make the transition can be stressful and overwhelming, especially when you haven’t done it before.
The good news is that there are also indicators you can look at along the way to help figure out what the best path might be for you. This guide will give you seven signs to help you decide if now is the best time to switch gears or if you should wait until something else comes along.
You find that you no longer enjoy your job
It may be time for you to make a change when you find yourself no longer enjoying your work. If your job has become more of a chore than anything else, then it may be time for you to look at other opportunities.
When this happens, it is essential to remember that sometimes people need a break and can return with renewed vigor. However, if you are still unhappy with your job after some time has passed, then it may be time for you to search for new opportunities elsewhere.
You need more money
When you’re worried about paying your bills, it’s time to make a change. If you’re struggling financially and looking for a way out, plenty of other jobs could be suitable for you.
Consider roles in the STEM fields or entrepreneurship. These industries typically pay more than traditional professions and offer greater flexibility in work hours.
For instance, aspiring nurses may enroll in online ABSN programs and create flexible schedules around their children’s school hours. That way, they can balance working elsewhere while studying at home.
Job promotions seem unreachable
If you’ve been at the same job for over five years, you might find that your title and pay grade doesn’t reflect your accumulated experience. You may also find that no matter how hard you work, there isn’t any room for advancement in your current position.
For that reason, you may feel stuck or unfulfilled in your career. If these things keep happening in your life, it may be time to consider other options.
Some people see this as an opportunity to stay where they are and use their unhappiness as fuel for better performance.
Others will be more inclined to leave their situation, but it is vital to weigh your options carefully before making a decision.
Corporate politics are making you miserable
Corporate politics refers to strategic maneuvering and competitiveness in the workplace. This type of politics is often associated with negative connotations because it affects productivity, creativity and employee morale.
It might be time to change careers if you worry more about office politics than doing your job well. For example, you may feel disheartened after an unproductive meeting or struggle to get anything done because you’re so preoccupied with other people’s actions.
The constant drama of company backstabbing can also wear on people, leading them to want out of the corporate world altogether. For instance, you might feel like your current company culture isn’t the best fit, and you’re not sure if it’s just an adjustment period or if you should move on.
If your coworkers are supportive and enjoy spending time together, but your boss is making your life miserable, then it might be time for a change.
Your skills aren’t valued or appreciated by the organization
You might have the proper skillset, but the organization doesn’t see it that way. If you’re being overlooked for promotion opportunities and feel unappreciated, then it could be time to start looking for another job.
Sometimes, organizations don’t have a plan or structure to identify talent early in their career paths. You can also tell when an organization doesn’t value your skills by how they treat other staff.
You’re more often unhappy than satisfied
If you find that you’re more often unhappy than satisfied with your job, then there might be an underlying issue. Maybe the work isn’t challenging enough for you, or the company culture doesn’t fit well with your personality.
If you dread going to work each day, then take the time to figure out why. Is it possible that this is simply a phase? Or could it be a sign that it’s time for a change?
No one can tell you how long these phases last, but if you start feeling like the company culture doesn’t suit your personality, or you’ll never feel happy at work, then it may be time to explore other opportunities.
You have a toxic boss or environment
Maybe you have too much work and not enough time, or perhaps you feel like your boss is always unhappy with you. If you find yourself in one of these situations, then it might be time for a change.
You should also consider changing if you find yourself regularly having problems at work, such as personal conflicts or differences in values. Such disputes and differences can happen when someone has worked in the same field for years.
For example, they may start to notice that they don’t agree with some of the practices they’ve been following throughout their career. They may also realize that how they manage their projects isn’t up to date with what’s current in their industry.
Wrapping up
There are many signs that it is time to make a career change depending on the individual and their situation. You may be able to pinpoint these signs and use them as an indicator to investigate if you should start exploring other options. Think about the best version of yourself and see how much those aspirations align with your current position.