Are you unfulfilled, stagnant, or bored at work? If so, make a few changes. Pivoting to a new career challenge can reinvigorate your passion for work and lead to greater job satisfaction. Here are a few red flags that show now is the right time to switch gears professionally.
Reviewing and Updating Your CV Template
Revising your CV using a professional CV template is a useful first step to take when considering a career change. Look back over your recent work history and accomplishments. Are you highlighting skills and achievements that align with your current career path? Or do you find yourself emphasising entirely different abilities that point to a disconnect between your role and your interests? The latter may indicate it’s time to branch out.
A revised CV that focuses on transferable skills for new types of positions can help you articulate your fitness for something new. Just be sure not to drastically alter your work history – honesty is essential.
Feeling Unchallenged and Unengaged
Feeling bored, unmotivated, and unchallenged is a real mood killer. Perhaps you know all there is to know about your role and crave new responsibilities. Are you miserable on a Sunday night, knowing you have work in the morning? Do you waste half of your workday watching stupid cat videos?
Listen to these feelings of disengagement – they usually mean your talents and passions are better suited for a different career path.
Even small annoyances at work can stack up over time. Pay attention if you have an existential crisis before going to work each day or frequently watch the clock for quitting time. Feeling constantly stressed or dissatisfied with your job duties is another red flag. Life passes us by all too fast to spend it unhappily working.
Changing Life Priorities and Values
As you gain experience and evolve as a person, your priorities often shift as well. For example, you may value work-life balance more than when you were early in your career. Or an evolving social conscience could make you reconsider working for certain types of organisations.
Major life events like starting a family, moving, or going back to school can also impact your career alignment. Be honest about whether your job still fits with your lifestyle and belief system. If not, a pivot may be in order.
Industry Trends and Innovations
Keep an eye on new developments and technologies within your industry. Progressive companies will need employees with updated skill sets to keep pace. If you find your abilities becoming outdated, or want to work with cutting-edge innovations, look at ways to do something different.
Equally, some industries and jobs are declining or becoming obsolete. If your field seems to be contracting, transitioning to a more future-proof career now can get ahead of potential layoffs down the road.
Financial or Advancement Plateaus
Money isn't everything, but reaching a plateau in your earnings or career advancement opportunities can cause frustration. If you feel you've maxed out your income potential or can no longer progress into new roles within your area of expertise, make a change.
Look for intersecting industries where your existing skills and experience will be valued. Or consider pivoting to an entirely new career that offers more room for development and increased salary over time.
New Interests and Passions
As you grow personally and professionally, new interests naturally develop. For example, an accountant might realise they have an overlooked talent for graphic design. Or a teacher might discover programming and want to transition into edtech.
Pay attention to what captures your curiosity outside of work. Turning a new hobby into a full-time job is extremely fulfilling. Even just incorporating peripheral skills into an updated version of your role can reinvigorate your passion. Follow your developing interests – they usually indicate avenues worth exploring.
Proactively Planning Your Next Move
Rather than waiting for feelings of disengagement to boil over, proactively chart your career path. Maintain an ongoing list of “dream jobs” or skills you’d like to develop. Seek out courses, mentors, and volunteer work that move you toward these goals.
Scheduling regular check-ins to reevaluate your career alignment will prevent stagnation. Whether it is every six months or every few years, honest self-reflection ensures you continue growing rather than sticking with the status quo out of habit.
Trust Your Instincts
Listen to your gut when considering a career pivot. Pay attention to that inner voice telling you it’s time for something new. While practical concerns like job availability and pay matter, don't ignore an overwhelming instinct that you simply need a change.
Don’t waste decades forcing a career path that doesn't light you up inside. Have the courage to pursue work you find genuinely fulfilling and purposeful. Your talents will thrive when aligned with your true passions.
