Will your planned career change really lead to greater fulfillment in your
Gallup research suggests that between 60 and 80% of all workers are disengaged in the job.
Below is a list of the main reasons why people change careers and a few thoughts to discover if the reason for your career change is on solid ground.
1. Frustrated and Bored in Your Current Job.
Of course, there are many reasons why people get frustrated and bored at work but the biggest single reason tends to be a poor match between the work a person is doing and the natural abilities they possess.
Nothing is more frustrating to us as human beings as spending most of our waking hours doing something that we are not that good at, nor like doing.
If this is the situation you find yourself in, one of the best things you can do is to complete this career change assessment.
2. Problems with Management
This would be a close second. Almost half of all career clients I see complain about a poor work culture and the main reason for this is substandard leadership and management. Ironically, employers that I talk to tell me their biggest problem is getting good quality staff.
3. Money
Money is often a reason for changing careers.
If somebody has been struggling financially for a while, they may come to the realization that staying in the industry they are in is never going to bring them the income they need.
But this is an area that we need to be careful.
I
Why?
Because money alone will never result in long-term job satisfaction.
Of course, there are times in our lives when money is in fact, the number one issue we need to solve.
And that’s fine so long as it’s a short-term measure.
The irony is that if we spend some time working out what we are naturally good at, then it is a reasonable assumption that the money we earn will increase.
The very best way to increase your income is to do a job that you love, and usually the job you love to do the most will be the job you are best at. You will invariably get paid more for work that you are best at.
So if your motivation is money, then focusing on finding the job that fits your natural abilities is probably the best way to earn more money in the long-term.
4. Changes in an Industry
We live in a world, where each year many jobs simply cease to exist due to changes in technology, demand, etc..
This is one situation where your career change reason is forced on you rather than chosen by you.
If you are in an industry that is heading for the doldrums, you should get out quick because you are better off finding a job with your current skills before the industry totally collapses. Otherwise you will end up with a lot more competition from other workers with similar skills to you looking for the similar jobs at the same time.
There is a tendency for people to hang on longer than they should when the writing is on the wall.
5. Midlife Revelation – I Need More Meaning from Work
Many years ago, I went through a transformation of this type myself, resulting in my retraining as a career consultant.
However, this reason is not just restricted to midlife career issues.
Many people of different ages have a revelation or spiritual awakening that affects their career.
Their new motivation often involves helping and serving others in society more.
A Pepsi marketing executive was once asked the question “Do you really want to be selling sugared water to kids for the rest of your life?” When you see your job from this type of perspective, it may not seem like an inspiring career anymore.
6. You Want to Work from Home or Start Your Own Business
This is also another common career change reason around midlife.
People began to ask the question “How come I’m working so hard for this guy when I could be earning all these profits for myself?
People are lured by the attraction of having more control over their destiny and the possibility of unlimited earnings.
This was a very strong reason for my career change when I was 22 years old.
The most common industry to start your own business in is the one that you are currently working on and have had the most experience in. Many business owners have seen their staff members leave and set up in opposition to them.
The entrepreneurial lifestyle has tremendous appeal, and when it goes right, it can offer a much better lifestyle both in freedom of work practices and income.
But don’t rush into it because it’s not always a bed of roses, particularly during difficult economic times. Planning well, getting good advice and starting off small while you remain in your current job are often a good ideas.
7. Injury or Illness
This is another forced career change reason. If you find yourself in this situation, I believe one of the most important things you need to do is to surround yourself with positive people.
Not unrealistic people, but positive people who will help you get back on your feet.
One of the most memorable things from my time working as a vocational rehabilitation consultant was the realization of the different ways in which people reacted to injuries.
Some people had decided early on that their injury was not going to stop them from achieving in life, while others had the opposite viewpoint.
I also noticed that those that had a very positive approach to overcoming their setback invariably recovered a lot faster than those who didn’t.
The other thing that can make this experience less traumatic is having a emergency cash fund in a savings account. People like Dave Ramsey are strong advocates of this
8. Changed Family Circumstances
Perhaps a family member has become sick or died and this has caused you to reconsider if you want to re-prioritize your career.
Perhaps your reason for career change is connected with the cost of raising children and you are reconsidering another career for monetary reasons.
Or having children has made you reevaluate whether you want to be away from home as much.
Getting your work-life balance right is a never-ending issue for most people.
This is another reason why some people opt for self-employment or work at home careers, hoping it will give them more control over their time.
Complete this career change assessment if you are considering changing careers