Signs it is Time to Move to a New Career

Career changes can be considered stressful and time-consuming. They also bring a sense of uncertainty. As a result, many professionals choose to stay in a job they don’t like rather than look for something more meaningful. According to a study, about 43% of people are afraid of changing careers due to the fear of failure.

While it is natural to be scared of change, it is important to know that being in a job you love enhances your physical and mental wellbeing. If you are unsure about your current job, let us help you decide if it is time to move on to a new one. Read further to see if you can relate to any red flags listed below signifying a career change.

1) You have lost interest in your current job

Each day at work may not look the same. So having different feelings about work on different days is natural. However, if you get a constant feeling of not going to work, you need to start exploring the ‘why’. One of the reasons you may feel like this is that you have probably lost interest in your current job.

The loss of interest could be because of your work environment, colleagues, role and responsibilities, or even your manager. While the reason is not always important, what you do about it is essential. If you feel you have lost your sense of belongingness at the company, we encourage you to start looking for new roles.

2) You are unproductive at work

If you feel your productivity has taken a hit at work, it may be because of a lack of interest, appreciation, or motivation in your current role. Feeling and being unproductive at work not only impacts you but also affects your image as a professional. If you are consistently missing deadlines while giving a below-par performance, you will also be questioned by your employer. This may even affect your references for the next role.  Hence, you may want to start exploring new roles aligned with your interests and experience. Look out for the below-mentioned signs of unproductive work and start exploring a career if you can relate to any of them.

• You procrastinate
• You avoid accountability
• You spend a lot more time on a task than required
• You are always overwhelmed by the amount of work
• You are unable to plan the next steps in any task
• You spend more time planning than executing
• You have a long list of to-do tasks
• You are falling behind on your monthly goals

3) You work in a toxic work environment

Many employees choose to continue working in a toxic work environment even when it hampers their productivity and performance. While there could be multiple reasons for it, one of the most common reasons is comfort level. Stepping out of personal comfort zones requires excessive effort, courage, and motivation. This makes it difficult for many professionals to change jobs. However, a toxic environment negatively impacts you and your well-being. It can result in the following:

• Mental illness
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Insomnia
• Hypertension
• Stress

Some signs of a toxic workplace environment include:

• Poor communication
• Politics
• Lack of respect
• Gossip
• Disregard to employees’ personal lives
• Discrimination
• Poor leadership
• Poor work-life balance

If you have experienced any of the above, we strongly urge you to start looking for new roles. While a job is important, you should prioritize your mental peace. Before you narrow down your next target employers, speak with some current and alumni employees to get a sense of the culture and work environment.

4) You are not growing in your role

Professional development and growth are key for any professional. It keeps one motivated and excited in their job. However, if you are feeling that you have stopped growing in your current role, it may be time to look for something more challenging. Some signs to look out for stagnation in your current role are:

• You haven’t been promoted in a long time
• You haven’t received a raise in a long time
• You haven’t worked on any new projects
• You haven’t learned and utilized any new skills at work
• You are not involved in any decision-making process

Lack of development and growth opportunities may lead you to start disliking your current job and employer. If the job isn’t challenging you enough, you may want to switch to a role that keeps you engaged. Continuing to work in a job role without any growth aspects may result in low morale and poor performance.

5) You are interested in a different industry

When professionals choose a career at an early stage, it is based on their current interests and needs. However, their aspirations and interests may evolve over time. This could lead to developing an interest in a new industry. Unfortunately, after having worked in an industry for a long time, they may be anxious and hesitant about the industry change.

If you are one of those people, we want to let you know that you still have a high chance of landing your desired role in a new industry. We advise you to start exploring your target industry and identifying ways to move to it. Your transferable skills are crucial in your career change and may even give you a competitive advantage. So even when it scares you to switch jobs, we recommend preparing for it well and making a move.

6) You are interested in a different role

Apart from an industry change, an emerging interest in a different role is also a good reason to change your career. For example, if you are currently working in a market research role but would like to move to a digital marketing role, you can smoothly transition to it without too much hassle. If you think your existing skills and experience may not exactly align with a digital marketing job’s requirements, you may be right.

However, remember you will never align with a position completely. So it is okay to take a risk and try your hand at a different role. All you would require is a customized resume and a detailed cover letter justifying your interest and experience while seeking a chance for your desired role.

7) Your job is affecting your mental and physical health

Irrespective of where you are in your career, mental and physical health should always be a priority. If you feel your health is being impacted due to your current job, you need to look for a better role with a better employer and colleagues. Some signs of disrupted mental health that you should look out for are:

• You are mentally exhausted at work
• You have extreme outbursts and mood swings
• You are easily frustrated and irritated with everyone around you
• You feel anxious, worried, or confused
• You experience panic attacks
• You avoid conversations and interactions
• You have trouble sleeping at night

In many cases, only mental and emotional health is considered when it comes to workplace distress. However, it may have an equal impact on your physical health too. There is evidence stating that factors like stress and depression increase the risk of Type II diabetes. Moreover, work-related stress also gives rise to gastrointestinal disorders, immune deficiency disorders, and chronic back pain.

8) You want to start your venture

Paid leaves, a fixed salary, and perks and benefits are some pros of working as an employee for an organization. However, after working for some years, many professionals give up on these benefits to ‘work for themselves’. The motivation to make a difference while being their own boss pushes many employees to take the entrepreneurial route. If you have also had your share of working for someone else and are ready to explore your entrepreneurial side, it is time to pursue it.

Deciding to be a new entrepreneur can be challenging. Anxiety and fear may push you back, forcing you to re-think your decision. However, if you are determined, have planned your next steps, and are willing to take a risk, you should step out of your comfort zone and make the move. Some signs that show you are ready to start your venture are:

• You believe in your idea
• You have identified a market for your product/service
• You are not scared to fail
• You have planned your finances
• You understand the risks associated with entrepreneurship and are ready to take them

9) You are looking for ‘more’

Sometimes, you have a supportive employer, great pay, and amazing colleagues. Yet, you feel something is missing. You want to get out there, explore, and see what all the world has to offer. You may not know what you are looking for next but you know it is time to move on, even when you love your current job. According to a study, about 32% of Americans regret major life choices, one of them being their profession. So, we encourage you to not be one of them and go for your calling. Discover your interests and pursue them.

As a starting point, you may want to understand the change you are looking for. It could be a change in your lifestyle, location, work type, or more. Once you have figured this out, you can identify the best career that would align with these needs. While this may sound hectic and effort-intensive at first, it is always better to give it a shot now rather than regret about it later.

 

Career changes are a lot more work than one may initially think of. But as mentioned earlier, being in a job you love enhances your productivity, mental, physical, and emotional health, and satisfaction. It supports your desired lifestyle and career. So if you could relate to any of the above-mentioned signs, go for it. Make the change you fear and wait for the change it will bring to your life. If you need any support with your career change, feel free to reach out to us.