The job you have isn’t working out. You’re bored, unmotivated, and unhappy with your work. You feel stagnant in your career, and it’s been negatively impacting your health and well-being. This may sound like a personal problem, but the reality is that these are all signs indicating you need to change your career direction. However, because of the impact of career changes on personal relationships and finances, many professionals overlook these signs in favor of their current career’s comfort and security. If you’re one of these professionals and you’re wondering what signs you need to change your job you need to look out for, we’ve compiled those for you in this article.
10 Telltale Signs That You Need a Career Change
Suppose you are experiencing any of these signals. In that case, it’s time to start exploring and finding other career opportunities to support your long-term goals and offer a better sense of fulfillment.
1. You’re bored.
The signs of boredom at work can be subtle, but they’re there. You might feel your job is boring or unfulfilling—and that’s okay! Boredom indicates that you’re not challenged by what you do every day on the job.
However, if boredom becomes a problem for you over time, then this might be a sign that you need to change careers where the challenges will be more stimulating. Fortunately, many options allow people with specific skill sets (like coding) or interests (like graphic design) to find jobs in industries where their abilities continuously developed and matter the most.
2. You’re feeling unmotivated.
One of the telltale signs that you’re due a career change is the overwhelming feeling of being unmotivated. You may feel that you’ve been doing the same thing all this time and isn’t working out for you anymore. You may have felt like there is no room for growth in your current job or industry.
There are specific ways to solve this problem, including learning a new skill that you can apply in your current job position or taking courses for career changes.
3. You are unhappy.
While professional careers are often seen as a source of occasional stress, many Filipino workers deem their careers as one of the reasons for their unhappiness. In a 2017 article from JobStreet, thousands of Filipino workers say they are less happy in their workplace. Job satisfaction has continuously dropped due to the lack of career development and poor management.
Unfortunately, unhappiness is one of the most important signs that you need to change jobs. A sense of loneliness in a daily setting can negatively affect your overall performance and impact your emotional and psychological health. If you’re experiencing long bouts of unhappiness in your professional career, consider looking for potential opportunities in other industries that will offer you better stability. You can explore options, like switching careers to IT, healthcare, or the hospitality industry or finding areas that you’re more passionate about.
4. You no longer feel challenged at work.
The fourth sign that you need a career change is when you no longer feel challenged at work. If your job doesn’t challenge you or you feel like you’ve reached a plateau regarding skills acquisition or career advancement, then this may be an indication for you to look for new opportunities or switch career. Your job must allow you to grow as an employee. If it doesn’t, then there are possibly better options available for growth in other enterprises or even industries than what’s available at your current employer or practice.
5. Your career is negatively impacting your health and well-being.
You might be surprised to learn that a career change can also benefit your mental health. A career that does not align with your values and beliefs can harm your mental health, as it may make you feel disconnected from yourself and others. If you’re not physical or mentally healthy, then you’re not in a good place to be working. You may feel overworked, underpaid, and undervalued, and you may struggle with stress, anxiety, and depression. These are all signs that you need to make a career change to better give yourself leeway to care for your psychological and physical health.
6. You have lost a sense of purpose in your working life.
If you are working in a field that no longer interests you, then this is probably a sign to change careers. You may have lost your sense of purpose in your working life, and this can lead to feelings of dissatisfaction and even burnout. If this sounds like something that’s happening to you, then some things can be done about it, including pursuing online education courses for potential career shifts or exploring other job opportunities that fit your current skillset.
7. You’re not being paid what you’re worth.
You’re feeling undervalued and underpaid. You’ve been at your job for a while now and slowly realize that you’re not being paid what you’re worth. You do your job well but you’re not given the recognition or performance appraisal you deserve. If this is the case, this is a telltale sign that you need to consider a career change. Plenty of other jobs out there would be a better fit for you and would pay you what you’re worth.
8. You don’t have a defined career progression path.
If you are unsure what your next step is and feel lost in the workplace, this may be a sign that you need to change jobs. One of the essential parts of every career is knowing how you would advance in your rank through promotions, transfers, or job position changes. Unfortunately, not all companies and enterprises offer a clear path for professionals, leading to many individuals feeling undervalued and stagnant in their current positions for years on end.
If you don’t know where your career is heading and how to reach your professional and personal goals, then may be the time to take to your boss or find better options for your professional career.
9. You dread going to work every single day.
One of the signs that you need a career change is if you start dreading going to work every day. If you can’t wait to get out of the door each morning, or if you feel like you’re in a constant battle with your boss, it might be time for a career change. If you’re not happy with your current job, it will be hard to be productive. It’s also important to be honest with yourself about your skills and interests. If you’re not passionate about your work, staying motivated for extended periods will be challenging.
10. You’re not learning anything new.
If you’re feeling like you’re not learning anything new in your current job, it might be time for a career change. Stagnation is a major sign that you need to change jobs. If you’re not growing and developing as a professional, you’ll eventually become bored and frustrated – which will not only cause significant problems with how you look at your professional life but will also cause you to feel left out.
Ticked Off Any of These Signs for Career Changes? What Next?
If you think you’re experiencing more than one of these signs that point to the need for career changes, then it’s probably time to create a game plan. Fortunately, there are ways to be more strategic about your next career move. You can learn a lot from your previous work experience, use your existing skills and knowledge to find a new job or leverage your network by asking friends and colleagues for recommendations on potential employers.
Asking yourself the following questions will help identify what you want out of a new career:
Do I have the right skill set for this type of work?
For example, if it’s not something related directly to your education or training – such as if you’re looking to switch to a computer engineering career from a hospitality practice – then you would need to get in-depth training and education to hone your skills better. This will help you compete with other professionals who are also vying for the job position you’re aiming for.
What kind of company would offer me the best fit?
Before jumping into anything too quickly, consider whether there’s room within its culture for someone like you; if not, then perhaps another position might be better suited at this time, even if it means taking another pay cut than what you’re currently making in your current job.
There are a lot of different career paths out there, so don’t feel like you’re stuck in a rut. There are plenty of opportunities to find a job that’s perfect for you. If you’re unsure where to start, consult a career counselor or do some online research to find out what careers might be a good fit for you.