Before You Make A Career Change, You Need To Consider These Things First
It’s not as overwhelming as you think.
I talk to a lot of women about career paths and career progression. It is pretty much a guaranteed conversation whether you’re a mentor or a mentee, and I have the benefit of being both on a regular basis. After all, one of the advantages of having a mentor is to learn how she paved her way. But these conversations inevitably come to the same conclusion time and time again: there is no one-size-fits-all in progressing your career.
At first this might sound frustrating, defeating, maybe even obvious that there is no book, no program, no course that is going to lay out all the dirt, details, and direction you should take.
It is also a firm reminder that no one is going to get you or give you your next job. But the lack of a blueprint is in fact, in your favour. It allows you to explore why you’re looking for a change, what drives you, and what type of work you like doing.
Don’t get hung up on finding The Best Job.
Allow yourself to discover The Next (Best) Job that is best for you now.
I’m not saying making the decision to find a new job or change careers is easy. After all, I stayed with my first employer for seven years. The job search itself can often lead us to feel overwhelmed, vulnerable, and let’s be honest, scared.
But the good news is, there are some things I’ve learned along the way that can help you get into the career change mindset. The first question to ask yourself, is:
Why are you getting itchy feet?
After all, there is a reason the title of this post grabbed your attention and you’ve already read this far.
Is it because you’ve been in your role for a couple of years and feel the pressure to move? I’ve heard along the way that people expect to change jobs every two years. I don’t know who came up with this arbitrary number, but if you’re looking to change jobs because society told you so, that’s not enough. If you like your work, your company culture, and work/life balance it provides, stop reading now and go and enjoy it! (And in the meantime, stop worrying about what other people think).
On the other hand, you could have itchy feel from feeling stuck.
Start by identifying what kind of “stuck” you are.
Lauren McGoodwin, founder of Career Contessa, does a great job outlining the 3 Kinds of Being Stuck in her book Power Moves:
Burnout.
This happens when you feel chronic fatigue, self criticism, and an extreme work/life imbalance. You are driven to a high level achievement and if you don’t achieve it you can be hostile as a result.
The Great Stalling.
If you’re feeling useless, and work isn’t inspiring, you could be experiencing something quieter than burnout. In this case you feel stuck because you’re not challenged, management isn’t keeping expectations, and as a result you don’t feel you have control.
Lost at Work.
Also known as Drift Syndrome, this often occurs after a big change, event, or trauma in your life. For example: returning from maternity leave, being passed over for a job or promotion. It leads to feeling shame and guilt because you feel as though you can’t figure it out but everyone else has.
By identifying why you’re feeling stuck, you’ll be better prepared to navigate your next step by asking yourself:
Do you need to leave, or do you need to change your job?
Company culture continues to be an important factor when assessing employers and potential job opportunities. I challenge you to take it one step further and also assess if your company is a values fit.
In some cases a company’s culture and values will be aligned but often they aren’t. Before jumping ship, make sure you have taken the time to reflect on your own values and how they align to your employers.
Consider an internal move first.
Especially in the case that your current employer does offer the right environment for you. It will always be a smoother, and likely easier, path than looking externally. In addition, you are more likely to progress in your role and responsibilities. Moving outside your company often results in a lateral move, which also can have its benefits, but is something to consider nonetheless.
There are a couple of warning signs to look out for if you decide to stay.
In short, do you want the change, or does someone else want it for you? In other words, be aware of management’s direction for you. It is likely that they may have a future in mind for you that serves their purposes but may not be aligned to your goals.
If you are discussing potential career opportunities with your manager, write a follow up email after each career discussion summarizing the key points and action items. This will ensure you are both aligned on your goals and taking meaningful action towards achieving them. If anything, it is a record that will help you in future negotiations if you feel yourself in The Great Stall.
So, how do you make your next move? Get in the know.
Know your why.
Be clear on what is important to you and what motivates you. Is it family, is it money, is it being of service to the community? There is no wrong answer, but it is important to know what is non-negotiable for you.
Know when you’re at your best.
What do you like to do? This is a loaded question that requires dedicated time to answer. But it is important that you have an idea of your strengths and the areas in which you shine. In my experience, women often reflect on how they feel at work where men focus on what they do. My advice? Find a balance between both.
Know your value.
There is no room for humble brags here. It is time to own your work and your success, and not be afraid to share it out loud. This is your time to be selfish and not compromise on your why.
Remember, you don’t owe your employer anything. You need to look out for you. I believe loyalty goes a long way and you should always leave the door open when you leave a job. But don’t wait for the “right time” that you feel is fair to your employer. Instead, focus on the right time for you and know that you’ll never feel “ready”, so make sure you have people that are there to give you the kick you need.
Know your people.
When you have the right people in your corner, they will support you no matter what.
If the word networking makes you cringe, find something to replace it with, because it will be instrumental in making a career change. One of my mentors describes building her network as “collecting her people” and I highly recommend that one of the people you collect is a mentor.
With your people in place, start to do your research and when you find alignment between The Next (Best) Job and a common connection, ask for an introduction and conduct an interest interview. (Quick tip: LinkedIn is your best friend here).
Know you are worthy.
There are endless opportunities ahead of you and I encourage you to broaden your view of the world and discover what’s out there. Know that you already have everything you need inside of you to be successful; now it’s time to go out there and get it. You deserve for your career to provide you with fulfillment, abundance, and a sense of belonging.
Before you get ahead of yourself, remember that where you are right now is where you’re supposed to be. Take time to consider these points so you can feel purposeful and confident in taking the next step in choosing your next adventure.
Best of luck.
I can’t wait to hear where you’ll go next!
