Five areas to consider before changing career

Clients frequently come to me for career and job-searching coaching as they feel their lives are unbalanced. They no longer feel fulfilled in their role, and they don’t believe they can continue to manage all their responsibilities with the ongoing demands of their job. They know, emotionally and physically, their boundaries are being breached and the only way they feel they can manage is to leave.  My number one aim in this coaching relationship is to help them work out if a career change is the best thing for them. So today, I’m going to share the five things you need to consider before changing careers.

 

The journey to a career change is varied. Some people feel stuck in their current situation and want to strategically develop an exit plan to make sure they have everything they need. Others come to me, fresh from their career break, knowing they want to return to work, but want to make sure they don’t end up in the same place as they were in the past. Others have a burning ambition and want to make sure they maximise their chance of securing that dream job. All have something in common. They think the first thing they need to do is sort out their CV. Whilst CV development Is not only something I offer, but something I ADORE doing with clients, it’s not the starting point in this journey.

I am sure you have heard “out of the frying pan, into the fire”? That is a common issue that occurs in career changes; the next role or company is an escape mechanism, where the potential of the role is viewed with unrealistic expectations. Without doing some reflection to understand HOW you got to where you are, it’s harder to avoid the same career and balance issues raising their head again.

Now, it goes without saying I am very aware of the many circumstances where the right thing to do is to leave, pronto. There are far too many organisations out there, still, that don’t create psychologically safe workspaces, that impact your mental well-being, physical health and your economic stability. There are deep-seated structural issues that need to be addressed. And those articles have come and will continue to.  But today,  I want to lead with the things you can control, so you not only know the path you want to create, but the work boundaries you want to establish for the future.

So, here are the five areas to consider when changing careers.

1. Why do you want this change?

This is more than just a reflection on the issues and problems within the current career or the assumptions of what you will gain with the move. This is a chance to really understand why you do what you do. By taking the opportunity to step away from your job title, whilst considering how you want your work to impact your life and the life of others, you can make sure the next step is the right step. Think about what your values are, and more importantly, how you can measure these “showing up” in your life.  It can help you understand the measures of success you want in this next chapter of your life.

2. Let’s talk about money.

I don’t know anyone where finances are an important driver in their career choices. We can’t apologise or be ashamed to consider the economic decisions that so many of us must make. If you tend to bury your head in the sand when it comes to money, then now is the time to start paying closer attention. Understand what your Minimum Viable Income is; simply what you need to earn to cover your lifestyle and current obligations.  By looking at what your outgoings are, you can get more in control of what you need to earn in the next step. Consider the medium to longer-term financial responsibilities and aspirations you have and understand what the potential earnings are for this career change. Also, investigate the short-term cost of your changing careers; especially if you need to formally re-qualify.

3. Do your research.

It’s easy to look at the next career with rose-tinted glasses; especially if you are currently in a negative situation. Let’s be blunt, there are organisations out there who are working to recruit people into courses that promise career changes; their promotion will always tell best-case scenarios, both for earning potential and lifestyle! So, take the information you have and try and get a realistic understanding of the role or sector you are in. If you have friends, family or connections that work in the area you are interested in, ask them if they will answer your questions over a coffee. If you aren’t able to access people then there are online reviews such as Glassdoor or “day in the life” interviews, that may give you a more balanced view of the sector. Best be prepared!

4. Is there another way?

Your Plan B is a career change right now. Have you considered all the avenues to give you what you want? Frequently when I am working with clients 1:1 there is very binary thinking – and either/or – when it comes to creating a career to enjoy. I challenge you to do an imagination exercise and consider “what else” could give you what you want? Is a career change needed, or do you need to look at the other areas of your life? List out all the areas of your life – such as money, time, relationships, living situation, learning, and wellness – rather than just career, and understand if there are small changes you can make to bring you what you want. The answer may surprise you!

5. Finally, get comfortable with quitting.

Even when you have worked through all these points, you may be stuck with the idea of lost time. You may be decades into a career and feel like you will “lose” too much if you make this change. Let me set something straight, you aren’t starting again, you are starting a new chapter. Everything you have done up to this point will be useful in the future; you won’t lose anything! You are adding to things. I still use knowledge, strategy, relationships, and examples in my work now from my previous career, just through another lens. So, if you are stuck in the “sunk costs”, remember, nothing g is wasted!

 

 

You may have gone through this process and realised that your career doesn’t need to change, but your approach to it does. A re-work of your boundaries to get the balance you need is a great way of testing the waters before you make the leap. However, if that is not the case, then this exercise can not only help you understand what you need to ask in the recruitment process, but the things you will want to put in place, from the get-go, to make sure this change gives you the career to enjoy.

 

If you are looking for some professional support to get you where you need to go, my career coaching packages have a combinator of self-development and recruitment consultancy that will guide you to your next role! Book a call to see how I can help you.