Many of us reach a point in our working career where we feel like it’s time to make a change. Whether you’re new in a particular field of work or if you have been working at the same firm for thirty years, you might no longer feel you are reaping the fulfillment or rewards from your current position – and there might be an alternate career path that has caught your eye. With so much to think about, changing oths can be a daunting and difficult decision to make. So how do you know if it’s time to make a change? Where do you even start? Here’s our guide to finding out if a career change is for you and where to begin on your new career journey.
We all know what the employee looks like when they are someone who has just entered the workforce. Each day, they bounce into the office with a huge grin on their face, eagerly awaiting orders and brimming with excitement. Their passion for the job is plain and obvious to all and, although most people will tone this down the longer they work somewhere, the internal enthusiasm for the role should still be there. If, on the other hand, you feel like you’re heading in to each morning simply because you need to pay bills and really don’t have any feelings for your role or job anymore, it may be a good time to consider a career change.
Feeling valued by your peers and you boss is important in upholding a high standard of work, staying motivated and making progress within a role. If you feel undervalued (or not valued at all) and feel like your colleagues are dragging you down, it is likely you’ll feel a lot better after leaving and finding a new firm to work with.
Along with motivation is drive. It’s hard to stay driven at work when there’s nothing to aim for. Some places will leave you in a dead-end rut with no opportunity to progress your career any further than where it is now. You’ll feel “stuck” and that your job is completely monotonous. You need to be working for a company where you feel like you can progress through your career, if you so wish. Having no kinds of goals or positions to aim for within the company is a red flag to get out of that environment and make a change.
If you work hard and work well, there is no reason why you shouldn’t be rewarded for your efforts. Your salary, bonuses, professional development avenues and promotions should all be a part of your role and available if you want it. Everyone’s needs vary, however, so if a promotion is not something that you’re interested in, but a course to help you develop and improve your current skill set is, your workplace should be able to assist you with your needs. After all, these kinds of rewards are only going to help you to perform your role even better – so there’s no reason why your organisation shouldn’t want to help you with these goals. You may feel happy with what you are paid and your benefits as they are, but today’s marketplace is continually growing, so it’s important to stay ahead of the game. If your employer doesn’t wish to reward you sufficiently, it may be a good idea to find one who will.
If you are asked what your dream job is, and it is completely different to what your current role is, chances are you’re in the wrong career and need to make a change. We often grow up as children with an idea of what we want to be “when we grow up”. Now that you’re all grown up, it’s definitely time to start making your dreams become a reality, starting with your career.
So now that you’ve read some of the key reasons it may be time to make a change, where do you even start? This can be quite daunting and making a mistake is often one of the biggest fears for many looking to take the plunge. However, there are some key tips here that will ensure your career change is as smooth as possible.
Instead of focusing on looking for your next career or job, get started on getting to know some people in the field. You can start by networking with a few people within local businesses and if you already have friends or family in the area of your interest, you may be able to ask for a friendly introduction. Sites such as LinkedIn are also a great starting point to get your foot in the door. By following the companies of interest and groups, you can get chatting to people within the industry and get some much needed connections
It may sometimes seem a lot more appealing to leave abruptly from your current job, but you need to know what you’re going to do. If you cannot get a new job within a month or two, do you know how you’re going to pay your bills? Do you know if you need any qualifications for your next role? Having a plan will make all of these questions a lot easier to answer.
Speaking of qualifications, you may want to consider getting qualified for your next role. You may not even need qualifications for an entry-level role that you’re interested, but on the other hand completing a short course in that field, will not only help your job prospects, but will show your enthusiasm and drive to change careers. Take a look online on job search websites or newspaper listings to see what jobs are available and what qualifications are being asked for. The best thing about finding out this information, is that you can get ahead on your new career by starting a course all whilst still working for your old job.
By having a plan, some great networks and a start on the qualifications and certifications needed, you’ll be sure to be working towards your ultimate dream job sooner than you think!
Gladys Mae serves as the General Manager and Head of Student Services at the International Career Institute. Gladys holds a degree in Mass Communication - Broadcast Media from the University of San Jose-Recoletos. She joined ICI in 2010 and has over the past 12 years been instrumental in providing leadership and guidance to staff and students alike. Prior to joining ICI Gladys led a multifaceted career with key roles in the banking and business process outsourcing industries.
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