We live in a very fast paced society, where companies are often doing more with less. When in comes to your career this could equal a high paced stressful position, especially if you are a supervisor or leader in the company. This stress could be impacting your personal life which could cause even more problems at work. Do you find yourself arguing more with your spouse or partner? Or, have you been missing way too many of your child’s special events? Do you find yourself saying I’m sorry more often?
Do you remember why you choose the career that you choose? Was it for the potential for a six figure salary or the prestige associated with the position? But now you find yourself working 80 hour weeks, feeling overwhelmed and exhausted? The passion and excitement is no longer there and if you are completely honest with yourself, you are frustrated with having to deal with all the personnel issues, personalities and employee relations issues. If any of this resonates with you, it may be time for some changes. Here are five things to consider before you make a career change.
Conduct a self assessment. What is it you really want to do in life? Since you have some work experience behind you now, your career goals may have changed. It may have been awhile since you stopped to ask yourself this question. Take time to really think about your career goals and write them down. Do not limit yourself and ask the hard questions. Are you wanting to make a career change because you don’t want to work hard? Are you avoiding dealing with a difficult situation? Is the work that you are currently doing making you so miserable that people don’t want to be around you? I once had a client who after conducting an assessment realized his goal was to work in the wine industry which was far different than his work as an engineer.
Decide what is important to you. Is being a supervisor really what you want to do? Or maybe the position doesn’t matter as much as the salary you desire. Right now, for you, what is the most important aspect of the career you choose. It could be geographic location, training, family, saving money, etc.
Acceptance. If you decide that you want to pursue a new career, or that you no longer want to be a supervisor, if you decide to start your own business, learn to leave your ego out of it. Despite the positions you have held in the past, you may be starting at the bottom again. There is a learning curve and you have to take time to educate yourself and set yourself up for success. It may mean going back to school or possibly volunteering in the industry you are looking to work in.
Get a mentor, hire a coach or both. As you consider making a career change you may need talk through your options or get advice from someone who is familiar with the industry. Having a mentor or coach can provide the guidance or support you need. They know the questions to ask and can provide resources that will increase your knowledge base.
Have a financial plan. Before you make a career move take a good look at your current financial situation. As much as you may want to move to a different position or make a complete career change the bills still need to paid. You may have to adjust your lifestyle, reducing the amount of spending to increase your savings. Consider taking a second job to build a nest egg before the transition. This will allow for more control over your career path and the decisions you make. If you will need to acquire new skills, consider the cost of re-education and training. Depending on the field that interests you, you might even be able to obtain grants to complete coursework or training.
Making a career change can be a fun and exciting time. It is an opportunity for you to reinvent yourself and make a fresh start fresh start. Spend time looking over these suggestions and get started on your preparations. The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll be enjoying your new career. Until next time, here’s to your success!
Carolyn R. Owens has over 25 years of proven experience and serves as a Career Strategist, Leadership and Life Coach. She is the Chairwoman and CEO of Infinity Coaching, Inc. where they help you up-level your skills so you can up-level your income. Infinity Coaching, Inc. provides one-on-one and group coaching coaching, organizational training, personality assessments and a signature program, the Infinity Coaching Inner Circle. Find out more at https://infinitycoaching.net
