When you start to hate everything about your job, the people, the duties, even the coffee, you know it might be time for you to consider a career change. Disliking your job can also mean you find it difficult to get out of bed in the morning, and affect your mental and physical health. To help you on the path to changing your career, here are some questions you should ask yourself:
Why Do You Want A Career Change?
Be absolutely sure of the reason you want to leave so you don’t leave one problem and replace it with another. Have you been there too long, so you feel trapped? Have you lost interest in the work? Do you feel undervalued? Do you feel as if you’re going nowhere? Do you argue with your employees? Or do you just need a change? It could be one or a variety of these reasons you feel the need to change careers. Be sure of what they are before quitting!
Is It Your Career You Want To Change?
Is it really your career you want to change, or is it just your current workplace? Make a list of the things you like and the things you dislike about the work you are doing. It could be your position, boss, co workers,environment or even the rules and regulations. This could simply call for the same job but in a different environment! Ask yourself what would make your work life a lot more enjoyable. Don’t do anything drastic at this stage, and make sure you look at all the choices you have. You could:
- Find another job in the same sector
- Change sector
- Modify your existing job by going part time and following another interest
What Kind Of Work Do You Want?
Have a think about the kind of work you’d like to do every day. The previous two questions could have already helped you come up with the answer to this question. For example, maybe you’d like:
- A lot less paperwork
- To work in a team or on your own
- More direction
- To work from home
- More outdoor work
Perhaps you could speak to the manager at your current job and arrange this? You should try to approach your boss with any ideas you have before handing in your notice. Also, think about topics that excite and interest you. If you’re moving for financial reasons, that may not be enough to keep you happy in the long run. You’ll be doing this job every day so make sure it’s something you’re interested in and that you’ll enjoy!
What Skills Do You Have?
What skills do you have that are easily transferred to another role? Maybe you’ve got great organisational skills? Or perhaps you’re good at researching different topics? Do you have people skills?
If you really want to change careers think about the different skills you’ve already built up that can help you make the switch. You’ll probably have a lot more transferrable skills than you think you do!
This post was written by Joe Taylor, on behalf of Randstad – who are the experts in recruitment in Leeds.