You’re not alone if you’re considering a career move. Taking action on changing your career can be difficult.
For some, it may imply leaving secure employment to pursue an unknown route. Switching job functions in the middle of a career can feel like a step backward for some people, but it doesn’t have to be.
A career transition, also known as a career shift, is locating and transitioning into a new career while taking the required procedures to ensure a smooth transfer.
Each stage of your career offers an opportunity to learn more about yourself, including your skills, interests, difficulties, and workplace values.
Career decisions you may consider “mistakes” often turn out to be the most instructive and transformative on the path to a satisfying career.
Furthermore, the concept of a good match for a job is a two-way street. Most businesses like you to be excited, engaged and fulfilled in your job since happy employees are more productive.
Knowing when it’s time to leave your current job to explore other interests might be a win-win situation for everyone.
If you’re reading this, you’re probably concerned that the career path you’re on isn’t the best for you.
Use this time to reflect on your feelings about your current position. If you recognize yourself in the descriptions below, stay reading to learn how to break out of your rut and pursue the profession you’ve always wanted.
Who is a Good Candidate for a Career Transition?
A career transition is appropriate for anyone who wants to change careers, whether willingly or because of a workplace restructuring.
Employees often have a hard time finding a new job, and a career counselor can help them figure out what skills they have that can be used in other jobs. They can also point out skills that the worker doesn’t think of as a skill set.
In summary, it is the employee. An employee must constructively outline and look at how far they have come in a job, and determine the next step they will take.
Signs That It’s Time to Change Your Career
Are you unsure if it’s time to change careers? Look at our list of six signs that it’s time to reconsider. If any of these seem familiar, determine your passions, retrain, and make the changes.
1. You’re uninterested
With each passing day, you become more and more removed from your original motivations for entering this business. You’ve mentally checked out – you’re underperforming, your deadlines are slipping, and you can’t seem to find the energy to pretend to be enthusiastic about the company’s aim any longer.
But this isn’t your usual behavior. What exactly is going on? Even if you enjoy your career, there will be days when it just feels like work. However, if you can’t remember the last time you were excited about a new idea or inspired by your next project, it’s time to change your mind.
2. You don’t believe you’re making a difference
Your job responsibilities are the same every day. Every day looks and feels the same—you’re simply going through the motions. You feel devalued, as if your time and abilities are being squandered, and your most valuable skills are being overlooked. You’ve been disheartened and have ceased actively seeking new ways to contribute.
It’s time to find a new position that plays to your strengths, allows you to learn new abilities, and allows you to contribute meaningfully. Your career should enhance rather than detract from your self-esteem.
Dream jobs exist. Read: 10 Secrets Of People Who Love Their Jobs
3. Your income will not compensate for your displeasure
Although the money is good, the work is mindless and unpleasant. You used to rationalize sticking because of the income, but now that isn’t enough.
During meetings, you watch the second hand of the clock tick past. After a long weekend, it’s Tuesday, and you’re already looking forward to your next vacation day.
While you value the security that your employer gives, you’re believing that you’re squandering your potential. These are all indications that someone could benefit from a change.
4. Your employment has a negative impact on your personal life
Work should be difficult, but not exhausting. If you’re constantly tired, sleeping poorly, getting headaches, or having other physical problems, it’s possible that your body is telling you that your job isn’t good for you.
Being constantly stressed might have a negative impact on your relationships with others. Have your friends and relatives expressed their displeasure with your impatience or incessant whining?
If your job is making you miserable or bitter, start looking for hobbies that can help you reclaim your identity.
5. You despise going to work every day
Everyone has those days when they hit the snooze button a few too many times or need a little extra motivation to get out of bed and go to work.
Maybe you’re not excited about the project you’re working on, or you’re nervous about a meeting with the boss. But this isn’t like that—this happens every day.
You live for the weekend, but the dread of Monday sneaks in by Saturday night, despite your best efforts. If you’re dissatisfied with your current job, it’s time to consider whether other fields of work might be more aligned with your interests.
6. You fantasize about a new job
You spend your lunch breaks daydreaming about what you’d do in “your future life” and planning how you’d give your two-week notice.
You’re spending more time on job boards than on work emails, and you’re being envious of your friends’ positions, wondering how they got such “ideal” jobs.
When others ask what you do, you grimace because you wish it were something else. You’ve considered leaving, and you’ve even mentioned the possibility to pals in passing. Would you quit your job if you had the option? If that’s the case, it’s time to leave.
Sometimes you might not be getting the motivation you need to get ahead in the workplace. Discover: 10 Proven Ways to Motivate Yourself for Work even at all Odds
How Career Transition Works
Examine these pointers for determining your interests, investigating possibilities, weighing various career routes, and transitioning to a new career.
1. Get specific about what’s not working
First, take time to understand what exactly is causing you so much distress in your job. Does your dissatisfaction stem from external factors such as your co-workers, boss, organizational culture, or even the commute?
If so, would switching teams or leaving the company to remedy your unhappiness, or do you still have that same sense of dread thinking about the work you’ll be doing, regardless of a change in scenery? If your discontent is related to the functional responsibilities inherent in the job itself, a more drastic change may be in order.
2. Identify what you like about your current role
Think back to when you first started in your current role. What were your motivations? Was it the day-to-day responsibilities? The promise of career growth?
Then, examine the parts of your job you still find enjoyable and seek to understand why they interest you. Is it the creativity your role involves? Strategic thinking? Number crunching? Do you love constant change, or maybe you crave stability?
Keep these themes in mind when looking toward your next role. By looking at what you like and don’t like now, you’ll be able to figure out what to look for or avoid in your next job.
3. Consider your core values
In any job, it’s important to find a good cultural fit. Examine your values and understand what type of company culture will complement your personality.
Do you value autonomy, community, or innovation? Would you be uncomfortable working somewhere where maintaining the status quo is encouraged? Or maybe it’s important you’re working toward a benevolent cause.
Whatever your values, when taking this type of self-inventory, it’s important, to be honest with yourself. Think about those friends’ jobs you covet. Are you actually interested in their role, or is it really the freedom and empowering culture you crave?
Find out what makes you feel alive, even if it’s not what you (or others) think you “should” be doing. Maybe your values have changed since you first started working—and that’s OK. Just be clear on your priorities today.
4. Assess your strengths and skill gaps
If it were not for money, time, location, or whatever other reason, what would you be doing? Now is the time to figure out how to do just that.
While a complete one-eighty isn’t workable overnight, examine how your current role and your ideal role overlap. Think about your transferable skills, related experience, and network connections that can help you make the most credible transition, particularly if your current and dream jobs are worlds apart.
It’s also wise to chart out the gaps in your skills and experience that may get in the way. You may need to get creative: start a side gig, engage in part-time internships, or even return to school.
Carving out a career that’s rewarding and pays the bills can take time, so be patient and develop your plan.
Hiring managers are interested in people who understand how to communicate and use their skills. Consider: How to List Skills Correctly on Your Resume
5. Research popular jobs for career changers
While the ideal job for you will depend on your unique background and interests, certain fields present fewer barriers to entry and are more open to hiring career changers than others.
Career changers often find success in high-paying fields like computer science and data science, for example, amongst others.
Computer science and data science careers are ideal for career changers, as they are in high demand, provide competitive salaries, and offer many pathways to enter the field.
For example, someone who wants to learn more about computer science can go to a coding boot camp, take online courses, go to college, or get a master’s degree.
6. Develop and execute your plan
After a thorough self-assessment, map out your goals, identify short-term milestones along the way, and give yourself reasonable timelines.
Perfect and polish your personal brand to boost your career search. And along the way, focus on expanding your network, reaching out to old contacts, and continually developing your skills.
The search for your new career doesn’t scare or dishearten most of all. Check in with yourself regularly to make sure that your current role aligns with your long-term goals. When to walk away, and when to move on. It’s never too late to start again in order to do what you love every day.
FAQs
What is a career transition?
Louis (1980) defines career transition as the period during which an individual is changing roles or changing their orientation to a role they have already held; thus, the term “transition” suggests both a process of change and the period during which the change is taking place.
What is Career Transition Management?
Career transition is about managing change.
Why do you want to make a career transition?
Seeking new challenges and personal growth.
Is it OK to switch careers?
Outside influences, whether from family, spouses, friends, society, or otherwise, should not be allowed to influence your career decisions.
How do you say you want to change careers?
As a part of [COMPANY’S] team, I can see my future as a [JOB TITLE] opening up before me.
Conclusion
While it may seem daunting to change occupations, you owe it to yourself to do something you enjoy.
Consider how you can make the shift easier and get the abilities you’ll need as you plan your transition. A graduate degree is frequently a fantastic way to advance your skills and change your career path.
It’s not simply about doing something different with transitions. A career change is a lifestyle change that involves evaluating how you want to feel how you want to spend your time, and how all of this relates to your long-term goals.
While it may seem daunting to change occupations, you owe it to yourself to do something you enjoy. Consider how you can make the shift easier and get the abilities you’ll need as you plan your transition.
A graduate degree is frequently a fantastic way to advance your skills and change your career path.
It’s not simply about doing something different with transitions. A career change is a lifestyle change that involves evaluating how you want to feel how you want to spend your time, and how all of this relates to your long-term goals.
References
- Indeed.com – Career Change Cover Letter Guide (With Examples)
- Northeastern.edu – 6 Signs It’s Time to Change Careers (And What to Do Next)
- Bodyandsoul.com – 5 red flags you’re well overdue for a career change
Recommendations
