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Last Updated on August 15, 2022 by coffeepo
There’s a saying that people change careers 7 times in their lives—but that’s not necessarily true. Whether you’ve been in the same job for months or years, you may end up feeling unfulfilled.
Perhaps you’ve been freelancing and want to shift into a steadier corporate job. Or maybe you’re stuck in a rut and want some more flexibility. About 59% of people consider making a career change, with most already planning to switch.
The question remains, though: How to change career paths? It’s not as simple as resigning and then applying for a new position. You’ll need to seriously evaluate your current status and determine whether or not you want to change career paths or just want a new job.
Before turning in your two weeks’ notice, ask yourself some questions. These will help you better understand what’s not working at your job right now and what changes need to follow.
Ask These Questions Before You Change Career Paths
- Do you want a new career or a new job?
There’s a significant difference between changing jobs and changing industries entirely. One involves staying in the same type of job, while the other means a whole new field. You may be unhappy with your current position, but that doesn’t entail a total career overhaul.
Before changing fields, evaluate your situation and figure out what’s causing your dissatisfaction. You might be surprised to learn that it might be your age—people between the ages of 18-24 tend to change jobs an average of 5.7 times. That average goes down the older you get.
- What isn’t working with your current career?
Are office politics creating a messy work environment? Or perhaps your manager isn’t offering the proper guidance and structure. You may have even outgrown your current position, simply feeling like you’ve stagnated.
Sit down and assess your job situation. Do you want more flexibility or less micromanagement? Do you wish you had more of a specific type of work? Make a list of what you enjoy and dislike about your position, then you can use that to evaluate your options further.
- Can you find more stimulation at your current job?
There could be ways for you to renew the spark at your present position. Speak with your supervisor about lateral or upward movement within the company. That way, you’ll gain new challenges and a fresh perspective without changing companies.
Your present workplace may feel understimulating or otherwise inadequate for your current needs. This doesn’t mean you need to move to a completely different field or company. A different position could give you more stimulation and find you more engaged with your career.
- What are your personal and financial goals?
The following questions might be heavy, but you need to sit yourself down and be honest when you answer these questions:
- What do you want from life?
- Do you want a higher salary?
- Where do you see yourself three, five, ten years from now?
- What matters to you most, and are you willing to change career paths to get there?
Outline your priorities and what you want out of your life. Do you want more time to spend with your children, travel more, or save up for a personal project? Whatever you say in response to these questions will affect your decision, so don’t hold back.
- Are you willing to overcome the hurdles of new work?
A new career means learning new skills and building a new network. However, you may have to return to school or go through internships before entering your new field. Or you could have to invest in training programs and workshops.
You’ll also need to consider your entry point in your new career. It will likely be lower than your current position—which means a lower salary and fewer benefits. Be ready to take a pay cut or take on more work when changing careers.
- How will a career change affect your personal life?
Changing careers won’t just affect the professional part of your life. You’ll also need to make significant changes to your lifestyle. A career change could mean moving to a different city or new part of town. If you need to go back to school or learn new skills, that’ll also take up more of your time.
A change in career path also affects the people around you. You may have less time with your loved ones for a time or may have to take them on your move. Finances might be tight as well, so you’ll need to sit down with your partner or family and discuss your next move with care.
- Have you decided where to go next?
Changing careers needs meticulous planning—you’re better off with a plan before leaving your present workplace. Resigning to discover your passions sounds romantic in theory, but in practice? It’s much more challenging.
Look up study programs that will help you gain the appropriate skills. Search for open positions in the field you’re shifting into. Get the pros and cons of your chosen industry—but also get to know the ugly side.
Remember: Don’t go into a career change unprepared, or you’ll fail before you (re)start.
Opening Up New Opportunities
Are you feeling overwhelmed? We get it. It’s a lot to take in and requires a lot of self-reflecting. Career burnout is more common than you think, with about 77% of employees saying they experience burnout at their job.
But whether that entails moving to a different industry is another question.
If you’ve gone through all these questions and found your answers, perhaps it’s time to change career paths. That change of scenery may be just what you need to reinvigorate your life—and discover something new about yourself in the process.
Now you’re armed with the tools, go out and do it! See you in the winner’s circle.
