5 Reasons to Think About a Career Change

I’m delighted to share this guest blog post by Michael Davis who runs a website and blog called www.resume samples.net which is a great resource you may find helpful on your career development journey. Thank you for sharing your career change wisdom, Michael!

Lots of people eventually realize that they’re stuck in a job that just isn’t right for them. Whether it’s because they’re not getting promoted, or they just aren’t getting paid enough to keep the lights on, at some point these people realize that something has to give. That usually serves as a good indication that it’s time to either start sprucing up the old resume and looking for something new, or it’s time to start signing up for some classes. Here are five signs that it’s time to start looking for a new career.

No opportunities for growth
Is there room for growth in your current job? Are there promotions you can be evaluated for on a regular basis, or is it a dead end job with no potential for anything better? If you’re stuck in a job with no room to grow, it may be time to start looking for a new career. Just be sure your next job has growth opportunities.

Too much stress
Is your job extremely stressful? Some people experience physical and emotional health problems related to stress at work. If you are in a job that causes you more stress than you can handle, it might be time to start thinking about making a career change in the future.

Problems with co-workers
While minor problems with co-workers are going to arise occasionally, ongoing problems may be indication of a larger problem. Because so much time is spent at work, it’s important to get along with co-workers. When that just isn’t possible, things can get pretty bad. Depending on what the problem is, sometimes, interpersonal conflicts that involve people at work means someone needs to go. If the conflict can’t be solved, it may be time to change jobs to work in a place where there isn’t so much drama.

Too much competition
Is there so much competition in your field that you can’t find a job using your degree? Sometimes too many people opt for particular jobs, and many of them have to find work in other fields. Too much competition can also mean being forced out of a job before retirement. Lots of companies replace established workers with new hires to perform the same work for less money. If concerns about competition in the job market have you thinking about starting a new career, it might not be a bad idea to look at some other options.

Low job satisfaction
Many people don’t like their jobs and others really despise their jobs. Having a job that is actually gratifying is a reality for many other people. If you’re not satisfied with your job to the point where it’s causing you to feel generally dissatisfied in life, it may be time to start checking out other life paths. Most Americans spend one third of their lives at work, and spending that much time on something that is extremely dissatisfying isn’t healthy.

Low pay
Are you working all the time, but can’t afford to pay your bills when they arrive? Many people complain about the pay at their jobs, but some jobs really just don’t pay enough. If you need significantly more income in order to easily afford your current lifestyle, it might not be a bad idea to look for one that starts out in that pay range.

While all jobs are going to have their upsides and their downsides, understanding what to expect in various careers can lead to more fitting choices the next time around. Waking up and going to a job you like is much easier than going to one you hate. If something about your current job makes life seem hopeless or unbearable, it’s probably time to think about making that career change sooner rather than later.