Follow These Steps If You Suspect That You May Not Be In The Right Career

With “the great resignation” underway, you might be looking for a new career in the new year. This guest post from Career Karma has some helpful advice about how to make a change in your career.

It is normal to panic if you discover that your career isn’t right for you after training for it. The good news is that many people around the world can relate to this so you are not alone. In a survey conducted in the US, it was revealed that 45% of workers are satisfied with their jobs, but 33% believe that they are in a dead-end career-wise. Around 21% want to change careers and older workers are more satisfied with their jobs, unlike younger ones. 

There are no statistics on how many careers individuals have in a lifetime. The bright side of changing careers is that not every switch requires expensive retraining or full-time education like home inspector jobs. If you have discovered that your career isn’t right for you, here are some steps to follow:

Step One: Ensure That the Hate for Your Career is Not Born Out of Personal Issues 

People believe that most employees quit bosses and not necessarily their careers. A 2015 research also supports this. A Gallup poll revealed that half of the participants left their jobs because of the manager. In the same vein, jobs can be a bad fit without reflecting the jobholder’s capacity for the occupation. It is ideal to ask yourself whether the management of your current employment is the problem or you hate the career. To determine if the particular job is the problem, consider the usual job duties beyond other indicators, such as an abusive boss or horrible corporate culture. Would you continue to hate what you do daily if you go somewhere else?

Step Two: Search Your Soul 

Soul searching is essential to find the next step after changing your career. As a younger kid, parents and school teachers advised you to be more practical. While the advice is sound, it can kill your dreams before they even form. Take a moment to think about your dreams and aspirations in the past. What was your chosen occupation as a child? You may have had some wild dreams, but some are closer to reality. They can help you to find the right career. 

Step Three: Seek Out Others Who Love Their Jobs 

You must have heard stories of people who went back to school or enrolled in job training to change careers. Sometimes, this decision is reached by meeting other professionals in that field and realizing that you love their approach to work and life. The main lesson here is that finding your people can also help you to find your dream career. Star from your friends and family members who love their jobs. In some cases, you may not connect with their occupation, but you will definitely learn a thing or two about how they manage to love their career. This discovery may spark the revelation you need and show you what to do next. 

Step Four: Network and Attend Informational Interviews 

When you have chosen a new career path, you can start to talk to others who have the job you want. It may be a bit daunting but it can help you since many people love to speak about their jobs, especially if they meet someone else that shares the same joy. Besides, you will probably find people that are willing to spend time networking, especially if a friend recommends them. So, ask your connections if they know people in the field you want to enter. You never know—you may just network your way into conversations that open your eyes about the prospective career you have chosen.

Step Five: Opt for Transferable Skills 

Every occupation requires skills that can be used for other jobs. For instance, some people attend coding bootcamps to learn skills that can help them stand out as software engineers. It is ideal to focus on commonalities rather than what it will take to make the transition. Checking out job descriptions can help. Always hold a copy of your present job description. Then, when you find a career, compare your previous role to the new one.

Conclusion

Many people change careers a couple of times in their lifetime. If you feel you are in the wrong career, it is never too late to switch. After stopping, you may have some doubts or be unsure of what you want. Chances are you already know more than you believe you do. The foundation you have will push you to pick up skills and network into a new career that can fulfill you.