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Thinking of making a career change? You’re not alone! Throughout our careers, we may find roles that just don’t feel right. Regardless of the reason, you’re certain that you need a change — and a new job won’t cut it. You may even think about starting a new career. Finding a fulfilling career can be a time-consuming journey.
However, taking small steps and understanding what you want and expect from your role can help you make a successful transition. Read on to explore why career change can be healthy and the most effective ways to deal with it.
Why It’s Time To Make A Career Switch
A career change or switch can include various processes—additional education, reskilling or even starting a new career. It isn’t easy as it takes a leap of faith and a good amount of courage. Often, we’re not even aware that we need a change. Some of the common signs that indicate you need a career switch are:
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Lack of interest in your role
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Making excuses for not going to work
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Inability to focus on tasks
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Feeling unproductive
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Poor performance
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Feeling stressed, tired or burned out
Gone are the days when a career change was frowned upon. The shifting nature of work has made a career switch a more feasible option. People are increasingly working in new ways and have started to prioritize a fulfilling career. If you’ve been feeling uncertain in your current role and need a fresh perspective, here are some reasons why you should take the leap and make the career change:
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Your Values Have Changed
We all grow in our own unique ways in our jobs. We even have certain core values that guide our work and goals. You may have been passionate about the industry you’re working in, but you no longer feel that way. Your personal values and objectives no longer align with the current role. Your changing priorities indicate that a career switch is in order.
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You Need A New Challenge
Even if you’re satisfied with your job, the workplace environment and your coworkers, there may come a time when everything becomes too routine and predictable. You start to feel a little too comfortable and need a new challenge to shake things up. Venturing out of your comfort zone and pushing yourself to try new things may help you gain new knowledge or get on a new career path altogether.
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You Aren’t Happy
One of the most common reasons for wanting to move out of your current job is because you’re unhappy. Nothing sparks joy or motivation, and you feel highly dissatisfied. There may be several factors influencing your emotional status—long hours, colleagues or tedious workload. If you’re feeling unfulfilled, it’s time to rethink your priorities and make a call about a career switch.
While a career pivot may seem tempting, it also comes with its own set of challenges. There’s plenty of risks involved and it can be emotionally draining. You need to find healthy ways to reinvent yourself and pursue new paths.
How To Change Career Paths
Here are several helpful strategies that’ll teach you how to change careers in a thoughtful and realistic manner.
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Take stock of your feelings about your current job. Use a journal to make note of those emotions and check for the thing you like or dislike. You’ll get a good idea about job satisfaction and your expectations after this exercise.
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Create a personal inventory of your interests, values and skills pertinent to your work. A personal SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis can help you identify how you’ve contributed to your current role. If you feel that something is missing and there isn’t any room for growth, it’s time to seek out new opportunities.
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Create an action plan that’ll define your end goals. Do your research and narrow down your career change options to a specific field. Identify the resources needed to fulfill those requirements. It can include certifications, skill development programs or even attending networking events. Set a timeline and add realistic milestones to support your plan.
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If you’re thinking about starting a new career, then consider rebranding yourself. Personal rebranding includes reviewing your job profile by switching up your resume and cover letter. Update your social profiles and business cards to validate your new brand.
While these strategies are useful in teaching you how to switch careers, it’s important to take time to reflect. Understand what you need and expect from your new job profile and what it will take to utilize your true potential. If you feel stuck, Harappa’s Leading Self course will help you take ownership and embrace new opportunities for growth and learning. You’ll step outside your comfort zone and get on the path of becoming the best version of yourself.
Explore topics such as What Is Entrepreneurship, How To Develop Entrepreneurial Skills & The Importance Of Entrepreneurship from Harappa Diaries to advance in your career.
