How to tell if it’s time to change careers

There’s never a perfect right time to change careers. It’s a journey of exploration that can happen multiple times in your career. For many people, the Covid-19 pandemic made them realize it was finally time to make the change as they weren’t happy in their job situations.

There are quite a few ways to tell if your current career isn’t the right fit for you anymore. Maybe you want more time to spend with your family or doing your hobbies. Maybe you feel overworked or undervalued. 

Ask yourself these questions:

• • • • • Are you finding it hard to concentrate on your work?
        • Are you only in it for the money and not feeling fulfilled?
        • Does going to work give you anxiety?
        • Are you looking for something that is more aligned with your idea of a dream job?
        • Would you like to have your boss’ job, or does thinking of being in a higher position and staying longer sound dreadful to you?

If these questions fit your situation, it may be time for a career change.

Why change careers?

There’s a hesitancy, a fear if you will, to take the leap and change careers so why do people change careers?

 

Starting a new career is never a straightforward process and it’s not just changing a job or industry, it’s a change of identity.

How do I start a new career?

Make a list of your experiences at work and write down how things make you feel.  Assess your current job situation, check for recurring feelings. Are you feeling constantly dissatisfied and is it related to what you do for a living or the company itself, your coworkers or boss? Do your values line up with your current job?

What do you not want to do?

You then must determine what you don’t want to do. Listing what you dislike and jobs that you wouldn’t enjoy can help filter out careers that you aren’t interested in.  

It’s also important to decide if you want to change to a new industry or a different role in the same sector.  

Check your priorities

Do you need to have more or less responsibilities, do you want more freetime, do you want new challenges, what motivates you? These questions can help lead you in the right direction.  

Do your research

New jobs are constantly being made, so make sure to research because there might be something of interest to you but you didn’t know it existed.  

Make sure you’re prepared

Starting a new career becomes much easier if you’ve taken the right steps in order to prepare yourself for this new chapter of your life. Rebrand yourself to fit your new role. Be proactive and try volunteering or doing workshops or classes in your new possible field. This will let you improve your skills but also help you determine if you actually enjoy a certain career or not.

In a job interview for your new job, if they ask why you’re looking to change careers, explain what you hope to gain out of the career change, how it matches your values and interests more, and how your past experience will help you succeed in the new role. Avoid talking about what you didn’t enjoy about your last career.  

Be open and flexible

Starting from zero can be difficult but you have to be open to change. Being patient and able to adapt will make the process easier. You must be ready to make sacrifices. Perhaps you’ll be a beginner again, you’ll have to work with new colleagues, or you may have been a boss before and no you’re not.  

Don’t let fear stop you

You have to get over your fears and procrastination. You may wonder if you’ll be successful in your new career, if it’s the right decision and how it will affect your family. This is normal but staying in your current situation without making any changes will leave you unsatisfied as well.

You must also accept that this career change might not be your last. Changing careers could be the key to being happier, it’ll allow you to do something that you’re passionate about and have more time for yourself.

What new career should I start?

Finding a career that you love can be a bit overwhelming at first considering how many options there are in the world. Narrow down your options by using your interests and values and what you want your daily life to look like.

Additionally, Look for jobs in your new sector that have connections to your experience, this will make you feel more comfortable and your skills will already be better adapted to those roles.

Benefits of career change

Taking the leap and starting a new career may seem jarring at first but it can bring about a number of benefits such as:

• • • • • Give you a new purpose and more fulfillment.
        • The chance to work on something that makes you excited.
        • Productivity boost.
        • Healthier work environment.
        • Better work schedule, a more flexible routine.
        • The chance to get out of your comfort zone. 
        • Allow you to learn new skills.
        • Less stress.
        • Improved work-life balance.

💡Ready to start your search for a new career? Check out our job offers in the top cities in Europe!