Is it time to take the next step in your career? If you feel like you’ve outgrown your current job, you may be ready to jump into a new position.
Maybe you’ve been in your current career for a long time and are ready to see what else the world has to offer, or perhaps you’re just starting out in the workforce and want to ensure that your education, skills, and interests align with what you want to do.
Either way, figuring out whether it’s time to move on from your current job or start moving up in your field can be challenging if you aren’t sure where to look. Here are seven signs that it might be time to change your career or consider switching things up.
You have a poor work-life balance
Gone are the days of punching a time clock and spending all your free time working on hobbies or building home projects. These days, work is increasingly spilling over into personal time, with many employees expected to stay late when needed and answer emails even when they are off the clock. If you are feeling overwhelmed by work and a lack of a personal life, it may be time for a career change.
Working more than 50 hours per week is associated with higher risks of high blood pressure, depression, heart disease, stress, anxiety and reduced satisfaction with life. When you can never get ahead at work because there is always something else to do, consider that a sign that it might be time for a career change.
You have minimal opportunities for career advancement
When you’re working at a job that has limited possibilities for advancement, it’s only natural to start looking around and thinking about ways to get your career back on track.
If you’ve been at a company for a long time and have reached what is typically considered mid-level management, it may be time to look elsewhere. If you haven’t seen any promotion opportunities or chances to grow within your organization, it does not necessarily mean that you should jump ship immediately, but you should consider other options when they come along.
Perhaps you may want to consider a career change. For instance, a career in nursing is in high demand. Programs like the University of Indianapolis online ABSN program allow those with degrees and work experience outside of nursing to transition into the industry. Moreover, it enables you to become a nurse in as little as 15 months. Regardless of your chosen field, online degree programs can make it possible for you to get closer to a rewarding and exciting career.
You aren’t happy with your current job
Job satisfaction is a significant factor in determining whether you’re ready to take that next step. It might be time for a change if you are unhappy with your current job or fed up with your career in general.
You may feel dissatisfied at work or want something different out of life than what your current job provides. For example, maybe you’ve been working as an accountant for years and have decided that you would like to spend more time with your family and less time crunching numbers.
Perhaps you are tired of being stuck behind a desk all day and prefer an outdoorsy lifestyle where you can get dirty instead of staying indoors all day. Whatever your reasons, make sure they are valid before moving forward.
You want a better quality of life
As humans, we often focus on what we don’t have and what we need to fix, but it’s important to realize that changing your career isn’t necessarily about fixing something but improving your life by adding things you want.
You may realize that your current job isn’t providing a good quality of life. Perhaps you aren’t happy with how much time you spend working or how much money you make, or maybe other aspects of your workday could use some improvement.
Changing careers could mean making more money, spending less time at work or having more flexibility in your schedule. Such factors may mean more than just a pay increase; they might add to a better quality of life overall.
You’ve become disconnected from your passions
When your career choice no longer brings you joy, it might be time for a change. While it’s natural for career change motivation to wax and wane throughout your life, it should never totally disappear.
For example, you might find yourself feeling less excited about your work over time. The same is true if you feel like you have no idea what you want out of a job. It might be time for a change when you feel like you no longer derive any pleasure from what you do daily.
You dream of a different career
If you often find yourself daydreaming about a different career, it might be time to make a change. Many people don’t realize they are unhappy in their current job until they imagine doing something else.
If you know you’d be happier working in another field, try to create a side income with your new passion to test whether it could work as a full-time career. This enables you to see if you like what you’re doing and gives you a way of generating money while staying within your old job.
You’ve become apathetic to change
If you’re bored and no longer interested in learning new things or moving forward in your current position, it is probably time to think about a career change. This is also good advice if you find yourself being less productive because apathy is usually a sign that something isn’t right.
The bottom line
Work is hard enough in a career you love, so why not make it easier on yourself if you dislike your job by following your passions? If you’re thinking about switching careers, there are plenty of signs that it may be the right time for such a transition. When you notice any of these tendencies in your day-to-day life, start thinking about your future career path.