If you are years into your career and feel stuck, you are not alone. Many of us feel that we are in the wrong career, where our job does not give us any happiness, and there is nothing to look forward to at work. Career isn’t about making money or making ends; it is about doing something that gives you happiness. If that is not the case with you, then why are you still there?
Good news is that as difficult as it may sound, you can fix your wrong career choice. Here are some tips that we thought could help you if you are looking to correct a wrong career choice. We would also like to discuss some signs that can help you ascertain whether you are in the wrong career or just going through a rough patch. These signs are:
#1. You Are Always Bored And Low On Energy
Everyone has downs in work when just one extra task seems to be enough to push you off the edge and to drag yourself to work every morning is too much to handle. But if these are not just a temporary thing and you feel depleted before, during and after every single day at work, it is a sign that you need to switch career.
#2. You Feel Apathetic
No matter what job you have, there must be days when your heart isn’t truly in it. But talking to the family or friends, or going for a good night’s sleep is all that’s needed to forget about the bad day and get back in the game. However, when the feeling of apathy have taken you so much over that you have lost the control of your senses and operating like a machine, consistently wishing to be someplace else, then it is likely that it is time for you to consider new career options.
#3. You Are Jealous
You may be surprised to see it on our list, but jealousy is a telltale sign that it is high time you started looking for a new job and a new career. If you are jealous of any of your friends and the kind of work they do, then probably you should start exploring your options. This jealousy will also not let you focus on your current job, so it is better to start looking soon.
If you have chosen the wrong career choice, you can always undo the mistake and find the career that best befits your personality and liking. Here are some TIPS that you can use to fix your wrong career choice:
#1. Assess Your Likes And Dislikes
When correcting a wrong career move, the first thing you need to figure out is your likes and dislikes. Finding dislikes is easy as these are the ones that persuade us to think about career change in the first place, so figuring out likes is where you should focus as that will steer you in the direction you want to proceed. Ascertain what it is that you like to do in your spare, while at home or work. Something that you are passionate about; something that excites you and fills you with energy. Since you are already taking a pivotal step of switching career, we suggest you take some time in assessing what exactly it is that you wish to do. Failing here could not only be financially damaging but also set you a few more years back in your career.
#2. Research New Career Options
After you have ascertained your passions, the next step is to find what career options are at your disposal centering the passion. Feeling a bit unsure or insecure at this point is a common thing and a natural part of the career change process. Take as much time as you need in researching the various options.
#3. Identify The Transferable Skills
Switching career does not mean that you have to start from the bottom and learn everything. There could be some skills that you have acquired in your current job that will help you in the career you are aspiring for as well. For instance, leadership, communication, and planning are some skills that can come in handy in various fields. Identifying these skills will help you realize that you already have plenty of experience for your new career and also assist you in zeroing in on the best career option.
#4. Education And Training
More times than not, career change requires education and training, and if you have a lot of responsibilities on your shoulders, you may not get the chance to take a break from your career to educate yourself further or expand your knowledge. A good option would be to acquire the new skills while on the job, and perhaps your employer will help you in this regard if the skill could be helpful for your current profile. Maybe you can enroll in an online course or join classes during your free time.
#5. Network
Your networking qualities can play a crucial role in helping you get back on the right career path. From coming up with job leads and offering you advice on introducing you to others who could help you land the perfect job, the people in your network can assist you in several different ways. You can widen your network by joining professional organizations in your field and getting in touch with the alumni of your college who may be working in the industry or field that you wish to enter.
#6. Gain Experience
There is a way you can start your new career without actually starting it, and that is by taking up a part-time job or volunteering. This will not only help you gain experience but also understand the industry and analyze whether you are cut out for the job or not. You can work weekends or nights, until the time you feel ready to switch to the new career.
Switching career is a life-changing decision which can, at times, get a little too overwhelming. To get through these rough patches, it would be better if you got yourself a mentor. This mentor might also be able to help you with his or her network. The mentor should be somebody you can trust to give you the right advice. Though he or she does not necessarily have to be a very high-placed individual, the more influential this mentor, the more are your chances of success.
#8. Consider Changing In
Switching career does not always mean that you have to change the industry that you work in. If that is the case with you, then we suggest you consider changing your profile but not your company. Though not many employers out there give their employees this opportunity, the progressive ones who care about their employees' satisfaction provide them with this chance. However, before you build up the courage to talk to your boss about switching careers, make sure you are really ready for it.
#9. Be Flexible
The biggest requirement for a successful career switch is being flexible, and you might need to be so with everything. From employment status and salary to relocation, be ready for everything. There might be situations that you did not anticipate and a few setbacks along the way, but no one said this was going to be easy. You can also choose to use your career change as a springboard for an even greater switch in future. Just keep your options open.
Do you find these points useful? What do you think could help in switching career? Tell us through your comments in the dedicated box below. We would love to hear from you.
Well, switching career is normal. Everyone does it. Sometimes you get a job because you needed to make money at the time or because it was the only option available for you at the time. And then time passes and you realize that you cannot pursue the same career for a long time. It is natural and happens to the best of us. In case this is happening to you as well, I would sincerely suggest that before you take any drastic step and quit your job, just make sure that it is actually the career that is of your concern and not anything else, since it could be the environment of your company that may be bothering you or the colleagues that you do not get the chance to interact with. Before quitting the job and looking for a new one, just be certain that it is the career that is not suiting you well.
Also, switching career, especially late into it, is a high-risk activity. So, if you have really made your mind to quit your current job and start looking for the next one, make sure that the career you choose now is something that you can spend the rest of your life with. You will not get the chance to switch your career time and again. If you have just started your professional life, then it may be an option but if you are about 5-10 or more years into your career, you might want to experiment less and find something stable soon.
One problem that I often observe with people is that they choose their career on passion but soon realize that they are not making as much money as they would want to and then switch career just so they can make a few more bucks. If you are switching career, keep your priorities straight as to what is your primary goal and what exactly do you want. This would perhaps help you make the best decision for you.