This post is provided by Jason Dirkham.
Do you need a new job, or are you after a complete career change? Many people find that they become stagnant in their lives, and their employment no longer meets their needs or requirements, which is only natural. People change over time, and it makes sense that if your employment isn’t changing with you, you will be looking elsewhere to find fulfillment in your life.
But how do you decide what it is you need? The following questions can help you determine if you need a new career or challenge in your industry.
How Does Your Job Make You Feel?
Forget about your employer’s culture and the people working around you; instead, focus on the job you do daily. Do you enjoy the work? Once you take everything else out of the equation, would you be happy still doing what you do? If the answer is yes, then it’s likely that you will be more in the market for a new employer than a whole new career. From here, you can look on job boards for vacancies in your industry, for example, Cactus Wellhead jobs by Lensa if you are in the oil and gas industry. If not, then a career change might be on the cards.
How Long Have You Felt This Way?
Is it a passing phase that comes over you every now and again, or are your employers and co-workers getting you down? If you’re having a case of Mondays every single day, then it is likely time you pulled your socks up and not looking for new employment. However, suppose the dread goes further than this and is reaching existential crisis proportions, and you are questioning what you are doing with your life. In that case, this is a firm indicator that you are unhappy with everything about your job and life. You might benefit from a new challenge and an entirely new career.
Can You Progress?
For some industries and employers, there is a career ceiling that, once reached, is highly unlikely you can push through. If you have a lofty vision of career success and advancement, it might be time for a change. It is only natural to want others more from your professional life, but if your company isn’t offering you the advancement opportunities you need, then saying goodbye and leaving for new pastures is your only option. Again if you have hit the deadline for your industry, then finding a new challenge is a real possibility, and training for a new career can give you that drive and passion you have lost.
With the average age for a career change being 39, if you hit the wall and find you are going to be permanently stuck where you are, now might be the time to consider looking for a new employer or changing careers altogether. These questions and the answers you give them can be highly enlightening when you listen to yourself and consider your needs. While the job market might be competitive right now, nothing is stopping you from seeing what is out there and testing the waters.
