Evan Carmichael, a master of small business motivation and strategy, cautions against “The Cage,” a stable, high-paying job that lacks many of the characteristics that make for a happy professional. If you suffer from a lack of satisfaction, feel that you are not being challenged, or that you are severely undervalued, you may be a candidate for a job change. But breaking out of the cage requires a delicate combination of daring and strategy. Simply jumping ship could end in disaster. Recognizing the need for change and then knowing when and how to do it are keys to a successful transition.
When you feel like spinning your wheels
Familiarity breeds comfort, particularly in the workplace. In fact, you may even stay in a job you simply hate because your subconscious appreciates reliability: a consistent, even competitive paycheck, set hours, a short commute, a nice boss, or a team of colleagues. However, something in the back of your mind tells you that the grass can be greener. It may or may not be, but you may never know unless you find out for yourself.
In addition to staying in the career, excessive stress could also be pushing you out the door. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, stress may play a more critical role in your desire to change careers than you realize.
* 40 percent of workers reported that their job was very or extremely stressful
* 25 percent of workers see their job as the number one stressor in their lives
* Three-quarters of employees believe they experience more stress at work than a generation ago
* 29 percent of workers felt “fairly” or “extremely” stressed at work
* 26 percent of workers said they were “often or very often exhausted or stressed by their work”
* Work stress has a direct correlation with health problems
When to change careers and when not
It can be hard to know if you should listen to the voice in your head that tells you that you deserve better. If you’ve spent most of your life specializing in a particular career or industry, pulling the trigger is even more difficult. CNN Money reveals some telltale signs that it’s time to move on.
* The grunt job. If you’re forced to take on tasks that no one else in the department wants, that could be a red flag.
* Clipped wings. Even though you have specialized skills and talents, you are excluded from new projects or taking on additional responsibilities.
* Continued exclusion. You are constantly away from important meetings or decision-making sessions. Your opinion means little for new strategies.
* Good old fashioned hate. If getting up in the morning and going to the office triggers your gag reflex, a change may be imminent.
On the other hand, there are definitely situations where changing jobs or careers can be a step backwards. Understanding where your feelings come from is traditionally vital. The Brazen Careerist argues that in some cases, solving your problems may be a better solution than simply jumping ship. Desires such as making fun of an oppressive boss, seeking more prestige, wanting to meet new people, or achieving happiness often cannot be satisfied with a job change.
If you’re going to change jobs, do it right
Randall S. Hansen, Ph. D. of QuinCareers offers these common career change mistakes most people make that you should avoid.
* Changing careers without education. Going back to school and absorbing new information is essential to being successful in your new role.
* Deciding based on external forces. If you’re changing careers based on the opinions of others, outside pressures, or money, this could sabotage your ultimate goal.
* Excluding Self-examination. It may not be the job, it may be you. A new perspective on her current position could possibly change his mind.
As a final thought, America’s Job Exchange encourages you to volunteer in an industry that interests you and go back to school for additional training if you really want to take that step.