What to Ask Before You Make a Career Change - The Muse

What to Ask Before You Make a Career Change - The MuseWhat to Ask Before You Make a Career Change I frequently receive calls from people who are stressed about their current job situation. They believe if they dont change their trajectories right now, theyll be stuck in the industry forever. Theyre unhappy, unfulfilled, worried that they chose the wrong career path. As a result of this dissatisfaction, they become consumed with making a move- a major move.But in spite of the itch to foster a change, many professionals dont really need a total overhaul in what theyre doing. They simply need perspective.Its never too late to transition careers, but its not the only option you have if youre feeling restless at work. Sometimes, a well-placed question or two about where you are now can enable you to determine what your answer should be. It may not be a change you need, but a different way of looking at your situation. Here are six questions to help you assess your situation before you aba ndon your industry for that one over there. 1. Am I Taking Responsibility for My Career Happiness?Lets face it, happiness is an inside job. If you are waiting for the perfect boss, job, company, culture, or customer to bring you joy in the workplace, youre going to end up waiting a long time- maybe forever. Finding fulfillment and satisfaction in your career is your job, not your managers (though certainly working with a supervisor you admire and respect can help you on this path). So before you get to question of changing industries, youve got to first be honest with yourself about what your expectations are. Are you willing to do the work to be engaged, inspired, and driven at work- even if its not your absolute dream job? Have you examined the ways in which you can improve your performance to impact how you feel about your role with your organization? Even if you have a boss intent on helping guide you on your path, youre not going to get step-by-step instructions on how to proc eed on your professional trajectory. So rather than put the burden of your contentment on your manager, remind yourself whos really accountable. 2. How Is My Career Providing Meaning?Youve undoubtedly heard about the power of asking why. Simon Sinek, author of Start With Why How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action, says that understanding the reason behind why we do things gives us a sense of meaning and satisfaction. How is your current career creating meaning for you? Whether its paying off school loans, allowing you to mentor others, or developing your leadership skills, you should be able to articulate a clear purpose for your role. Understanding the ways in which your job is meaningful can help you as you decide what direction you want to go in, whether within the organization that signs your paychecks or with another company. 3. Do I Have Career Envy?Its really easy to get sucked into thinking that your college bud who started his career in the banking industry has it made. After all, his trajectory seems clearly laid out, and theres a ladder hell climb along the way. You, on the other hand, labor at an entry-level job in advertising, your future seeming more like a secret code that needs to be cracked than a well-laid plan. Its natural to have feelings of envy about others lucrative starting salary, stock options, or seemingly predictable future. But dont let the compare and despair mentality make you feel badly about you or where you are in your own life. Remember that even if youre not raking in a huge salary, youre learning amazing fundamentals that will provide the stepping stones for your future work. Plus, you know the clich saying The grass is always greener. 4. How Can I Be mora Stimulated More Often?Every job- no matter how much you generally love it- has the capacity to bore you. Its unrealistic to think that every single task on your to-do list is going to excite you, engage you, and give you immense satisfaction. But, by knowing w hat you love doing and are good at, and asking for more of it, you can grow the amount of time you spend doing what you like best. Talk with your boss about what it would take for you to do more of that work. Perhaps you love developing employee communications. Maybe, when talking with your manager, you learn she knows of another team thats struggling with that and theres an opportunity for you to help (provided your team still comes first). They get your help and you get more of what you like to do- its an obvious win-win. If your supervisor isnt able to accommodate you, you can still find another way to stay interested. Maybe you learn a new skill, such as mastering that client database youve been avoiding, or maybe you figure out a way to go above and beyond what youre assigned. 5. What Are the Main Issues That Make Me Want to Change Careers?Many clients want to change careers because of pain points in the jobs they have. They focus so much on whats not working in a particular f ield, that they often forget how much they actually like the work itself. Before you jump ship and embark on unfamiliar territory, take a deep look at whats making you unhappy and why youre feeling restless. Is it a difficult manager, drama-prone colleagues, the inflexible culture, confusion about the company mission?While I all of the above are definitely workplace challenges, finding a way to navigate them is an important professional skill. Read a book on effective communication, volunteer to help plan a company-wide social activity, and align yourself with co-workers you can tolerate. Every job is going to come with its own unique idiosyncrasies youre better off finding ways to deal with them instead of just letting them rattle you. 6. What Are My Financial Goals?No matter how you slice it, changes can be costly. If youre in your twenties, taking a pay reduction now can affect your earnings for years. If your financial goals are to pay off school loans, and bank for the future, you may not be in the best position to transition into a lower-paying field. If you need the job you have for financial reasons, think about a starting a side gig thats inspired by where youd like to go next. Maybe your inner baker can master the art of cake decorating on weekends. Or your inner writer can freelance for a blog. ansicht part-time opportunities can be a great way to get street cred, experience, and a little extra money as you figure out if a brand new career is your answer.If you dive into all the aspects of your current work, and you still think its time to get a job in a different industry, make sure you have the process, patience, and structure to do so. Career changes take research, a strong network, and a focused effort. The process is often more challenging and time-consuming than landing a job in your field at a different organization, so its not a decision to make on a whim after youve had a crappy week or month at work. With that said, it is a choice you can always make later on, even if it doesnt make sense for you right now.