The holiday season offers a much-needed time to reflect on the things that matter most, especially in regard to family, friends, career and overall well-being. You may be currently looking at refreshing or creating new resolutions to work towards in the new year.
If a career change is one of the things on your mind, it probably seems daunting – especially if you’ve worked your way up the corporate ladder or are where you’ve always aspired to be. However, seeking a change in direction is a natural part of career progression and your journey of self-discovery. Being strategic about a career switch can be life-changing!
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There are many reasons one might consider a career change – for better opportunities, to explore an area of interest, or to find a job that sparks joy. If you’re thinking about exploring a different career interest, here are five tell-tale signs that it’s time:
#1 You dread going to work
A vast majority of the workforce experiences the “Sunday Scaries”, and it’s pretty normal to feel stressed working on a major project or have the jitters before a meeting with the management. But if your job is a constant source of anxiety and dread throughout the week, perhaps it’s time to consider whether you’re truly satisfied with your current role.
#2 You don’t feel like you’re making an impact
Job satisfaction comes from making the best use of your skills, being challenged and growing outside your comfort zone. If you think you’re working on autopilot day in and day out, or feel like your contributions aren’t meaningful or impactful, it could be time to start looking for areas in which you feel more passion and drive.
#3 Your job is affecting your personal life
No job is worth putting your well-being at risk – your physical or mental health, or relationships with loved ones. If work is causing you to stress eat a tub of ice cream each evening, miss out on quality time with friends and family or forgo much-needed Netflix time to properly unwind, you might be putting a strain on your overall well-being.
#4 You envision yourself doing something else
Have you been daydreaming of where else you could be and all the opportunities that come along with it? Be it a childhood aspiration, an area of interest you’ve recently been drawn to or the burning desire to get out there and challenge yourself completely foreign, it’s time to stop thinking about the “what ifs” and start putting some trust in your vision.
Pro Tip – Returning to education is a great way to kickstart your journey towards the ultimate career paradise. General Assembly’s full-time immersive programmes are designed to help you launch a brand-new career in 12 weeks – no degree or tech background required!
#5 You don’t have a career path
Career progression is crucial when it comes to personal and professional growth. If higher-level roles in your department or area of expertise don’t exist, or if you look at your boss or seniors and cannot imagine yourself in their roles, it might be a wake-up call to seek out a career pathway that offers the opportunities you can look forward to.
Leaving the security and familiarity of your current role can be overwhelming, but you’ll open up a world of possibilities when you take the plunge.
General Assembly is the leading source for tech training, staffing, and career transitions. If you are looking to explore a career in tech, download General Assembly’s Career Changer’s Guide to Doing Something Different which will help you take a confident leap of faith into a tech career and act as a guide in your career change journey.
*This article was written by General Assembly (GA). Since 2011, GA has launched the technology careers of tens of thousands of diverse individuals and cultivated emerging tech talent pipelines for hundreds of the world’s leading employers. As featured in The Economist, Wired, and The New York Times, GA offers bootcamps, digital upskilling, apprenticeships, and other career onramps into today’s most in-demand jobs in web development, data, design, and more. Part of global HR solutions giant The Adecco Group, GA has become a leading provider of world-class technical training, equitable job opportunity, and social impact. GA has been recognized as one of Deloitte’s Technology Fast 500, and a Fast Company World-Changing Idea, as well as the #1 Most Innovative Company in Education.
**Disclaimer: The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of NHA – News Hub Asia.
