5 tips to help you assess the viability of a new job or career path.

Are you thinking about changing your job or career path? If so, you’re not alone.  Recent research by Microsoft shows more than 40 per cent of the global workforce are considering leaving their employers this year. 

We’re rethinking our lives and our role in the world, which means we’re also reviewing what we do for a living. It’s more important than ever to most of us that we’re making a positive contribution to the world. But it’s not that easy to do, is it? 

Most of us had our careers mapped out, even if only in our heads. We knew we’d stay in our present job for a while, then aim for promotion. Perhaps there was a job we aspired to, and we’d worked out what we had to do to get there. For many people, the pandemic and lockdown has changed everything. Nothing is the same as it was. Things which were once important are now meaningless. The balance of what matters has shifted.

Now people are rethinking their career plans and, in some cases, throwing them right out the door. If you’re one of the thousands who has lost your job, it’s worse. Control has been taken from your hands, leaving you shocked and scrambling to replace your income.

When I ask my clients what keeps them up at night, one of the most common answers is “the practicality of finding another job that I want.” For others, it’s the difficulty of deciding whether to stay in their current field of employment or dive into something totally new. 

Where do you start when you don’t know what to do next?

It’s time to take back control and get clear on your direction by answering these questions:

• What is important to you? Your beliefs and your values matter, so take time to really consider what they are. Working for a company with similar values is very motivating and rewarding.
• What do you enjoy doing? Are you an indoor or outdoor person? Do you like to work with others or alone? Do you like to create things or maintain them? Think about what you want to get out of your job.
• What do you dislike doing? Do you avoid customer contact or working with free thinkers? Do you hate writing or working with numbers? Does technology scare you? Obviously, there’ll always be aspects to our roles that we don’t love, but you want a role that minimises that.
• What are you good at? Working to your strengths gives you the best chance to make an impact and build a better life.
• Know where you want to go. Even if you don’t yet know what job to aim for or company to approach, you do know something about where you see yourself going. Do you want to aim for an executive role or are you happiest in a ‘doing role’? Paint yourself a mental picture of how you see yourself and your workdays in the future.

Look back over your answers. They will give you clear indications of the direction you should take.

Changing careers isn’t easy, even if it’s thrust upon you, but it’s a better option than being unhappy. Is changing career path viable? It is if it meets your needs, and you know where you’re doing and why.

If you want to bounce out of bed each morning, happy to go to work and proud to know you’re doing something worthwhile (yes, that really is possible!), map out a career plan to get you there. As a coach, I help people do that every day. 

My clients tell me that they rely on me to keep them accountable in their job search and act as an experienced sounding board for their choices. I can do the same for you.

“Hey Linda, I just wanted to let you know that I have been reviewing and reflecting on my response to the ‘Career Clarity’ activities. It has given me so much clarity. First time in my life I have looked at a role and gotten excited and understood why. Also greater specific clarity as to why I loved some of my roles. Thank you so so much. You are a STAR.”

Pam Davis – Senior HR/OD Leader

The Career Clarity Online program will help you design your next role so that it’s completely aligned with your strengths and passions. With the added value of one-on-one coaching, you’ll be comfortable and confident with your career choices. Enrol today, work through it as fast or slow as you like, and find the career you’ve always wanted.