6 Signs That You Need to Change Careers

Looking to change careers? You’re not alone. 

66-85% of workers reported dissatisfaction with their current jobs according to two separate Gallup surveys released in 2017 and in 2018. During that same period, the FT reported that one-in-two UK workers planned to change careers within 5 years. 

More recently, COVID-19’s impact on workplaces, and the economy, has prompted many to re-examine their life and career goals afresh. In our 2020 Career Change Survey, we found that 35% of respondents were considering switching careers because of the global pandemic. Other reasons for switching included wanting to try something new (57%), needing more work / life balance (38%) and wanting a higher salary (34%).

Career changes are far more common than they once were. In fact, career choices are no longer seen as permanent and irreversible. So if you’re asking yourself “should I change career?” - you’re in good company. 

That’s why we’ve gathered tips and advice from people across a range of different industries and professions across the globe, to help you decide whether it’s time to consider switching careers.

6 signs that you need to change careers:

After 10 years as a high school English teacher, Kaitlin Brandt decided to change careers. For her, the realisation that paper grading would take up more of her time as her career progressed was one of the biggest factors that influenced her decision to change careers.

“I had to face the fact that while I loved teaching and working with students, I dreaded a major aspect of my job” she remembers.

Since making the change, Kaitlin is enjoying her new part-time role helping students as a learning specialist at a community college. She is also relishing her free time:

“No piles of essays in my trunk! I'm also trying to get some traction as a writer with a blog I started a few months ago.”

Simon Hall left a successful career as a TV reporter to become a full-time teacher. He recalls feeling disillusioned with his job, as though it had reached a dead end:

“I felt I was no longer challenging myself, I was starting to feel bored and jaded with my wonderful job. I felt I was no longer making sufficient contribution.”

Since becoming a communications teacher he feels a renewed sense of purpose because of the difference he is making in the lives of his students:

“I strongly believe we have a moral duty in life, if we are given gifts, then we should do our very best to apply them. I am now helping the next generation of journalists, entrepreneurs, and leaders, to make a real impact on this terrific country.” 

Ellen Mullarkey used to go to work everyday feeling like she was dragging through the day, which led to her feeling agitated and frustrated.

“Your career should be invigorating and exciting. You should be learning and growing at work, not watching the clock and waiting for the end of the day” she says.

Conceding the fact that everyone has days where they’d rather be somewhere else, she nevertheless encourages taking advantage of your talents while you still have time. 

“Otherwise, you could wake up someday to face the cold realization that you wasted them.”

Our core principles and values guide our whole being and should be cherished. Career soldier turned CEO Tyechia Brown, agrees. She says she couldn’t continue working with colleagues or employers who would compromise their integrity. 

“I’m mission oriented, I guess that’s the soldier in me. When a person or company goes against their own values that’s it for me. Be true to your word because that’s all you got” she asserts.

Many industries are experiencing rapid change and disruption. It’s even possible that your dream job won’t exist in 5 years time. 

After building several businesses from scratch, including a jewellery business, before founding an online resource for legal documents, Andrew Taylor says his career changes have helped his career withstand technological changes and have made him a more rounded individual.

“I have taken quite a bit of time in my professional career to be on the other side of the desk. I’ve been in my client’s shoes so I am able to see both sides of the picture and provide more wholesome and rounded advice” he says.

For Andrew, intentionally changing career throughout his lifetime was essential to becoming more worldly, more knowledgeable and more capable.

“Pick and choose your career options and take from them what you want. In the end, you will become an individual who can offer a unique perspective on life. Something that you can set yourself apart from and what will eventually be your marketing point.”

For Will Bachman, everything changed when he considered the lives of the firm’s partners. He asked himself: “if I'm thoroughly successful in my role and manage to get elected to partner, would I be happy five years from now?” 

For him, the answer was no - so he left to start his own consulting practice while he still had enough time to build it. 

He believes the sooner you start working towards the future you want, the better your chances of building the kind of career that suits you. 

Finally - and if you’re still on the fence about whether or not to change careers - we offer you this last piece of advice from Simon: 

“You will know within yourself whether you have reached the end of the road with your current career. And I can certainly say that, although daunting, making the change is an incredibly fulfilling thing to do. I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone, but make sure you prepare well!”

THANK YOU TO OUR CONTRIBUTORS:

Kaitlin Brandt, learning specialist and writer at Portrait of a Reader.

Simon Hall, tutor, broadcaster and author at Simon Hall Communications.

Ellen Mullarkey, VP of Business Development at Messina Staffing.

Tyechia Brown, CEO at Be Empowered Career Consulting.

Andrew Taylor, Director at Net Lawman.

Will Bachman, Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Umbrex.

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