The Career Change Challenge – Shall I Stay Or Shall I Go?
The average person works for 40 hours a week for around 40 years – that’s 80,000 hours of your life – and one in four people are currently thinking about changing their job.
Many people find themselves in a situation where they have the “Monday morning blues,” feeling dissatisfied in their job, or believe it is time for them to move on. If this is an area that is affecting you, please read on and ask yourself the following questions.
For what reasons do you want to change your job?
Some people may want to change their jobs on a whim, but the grass is not always greener on the other side. Be sure that you are leaving your current employment for the right reasons and that the new job is going to help you in your chosen career path.
Is this a passing phase or a real desire to do something new?
Most people become frustrated with their job at some stage in their career. I would ask you to consider whether it is the right time for you to move on.
What do you enjoy about your job?
Try listing the reasons you enjoy your current job. It can help you to put steps in place to make it better, or assess the most important aspects you may be looking for in a new job. Find out what is important to you and whether you can get this opportunity with your existing employer.
What could be better?
It is likely that there are areas of your job which could be improved. What are they? What control do you have over improving these areas?
What have you done so far to move yourself to a better situation?
If you are unhappy in your job, have you talked to your manager or a trusted colleague? They may help you to find greater fulfillment or a new challenge. You may also want to decide what you would like to change about your job.
If you are still sure that you want to seek a new job, there are other areas to take into account.
What do you want to do?
It is important to consider the area in which you would like to work. Do you want to stay in the same career or are you seeking a complete change?
What skills and competencies do you have that are transferable?
It would be useful to look at the skills you already have and how they can be used in your new job or career.
What training or development may be required?
If you are seeking promotion or a career change, there may be new skills you need to learn or training programs you need to complete. Consideration of these at this stage will help you to focus on your professional development.
Where do you want to work?
Is there a particular industry or company where you would like to work? If not, you may wish to think about the types of organization where you would like to work, based on your ethical stance or beliefs. You may also want to consider the salary, pension or benefits that you are seeking.
Where are you going to find your ideal job?
There are more choices than ever before to help you to find the ideal job, these include Internet job sites, local employment agencies, local recruitment papers and specialist publications.
Alternatively, talk to people you know (or those you don’t know). They may be able to help you to find your ideal job.
How about working for yourself? More people than ever before are considering self employment as an alternative to working for an employer.
The next step
For all of these considerations, think about the pros and cons before you make a decision. I have a few more questions for you to consider before you make your choice.
What motivates you?
What gives you most satisfaction or enjoyment?
What has stopped you making changes in the past?
What three actions could you take today to move you forward with your career?
Think about these wisely, and best of luck!
Karen Williams is a Life and Career Development Coach and runs her own coaching practice, Self Discovery Coaching. She has over ten years experience of working in Human Resources, training, coaching and management roles and is a Chartered member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). Copyright Karen Williams 2007. All Rights Reserved For more information, go to http://www.selfdiscoverycoaching.co.uk/
Author: Karen E Williams
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
iPhone/iPad apps
Related posts: