Since most of us spend a significant portion of our lives working, finding work that we genuinely enjoy is important for our overall happiness. A fulfilling career is one that meets your expectations and enables you to live comfortably.
On average, people have 12 different jobs by the time they reach the age of 50, and job hopping is becoming the new norm for the younger generation. People are desperately trying to find the perfect career that fulfills them in every aspect of their lives.
Signs it’s Time for a Career Change
At any one time, there are thousands of people searching for something better. You might be reading this and wondering whether you’re also in this position.
It can be daunting to switch careers, especially when you’re not sure what job you want to do in the long term. But if you’re not feeling fulfilled by your current career path, it’s worth doing something about it. Otherwise, you could be stuck in a job that you hate for years to come.
You can get support with your career change at your local career hubs or by hiring an online career coach. They will help you to identify your skills and passions to find the best career choice for your mental health and well-being.
Below, we’ve covered seven key signs that indicate it’s time for a career change so that you can easily identify when it’s time to find a more fulfilling job.
1. You don’t feel like you’re making an impactÂ
We want to feel like we are making a difference in the world. If you don’t feel like your current job enables you to help others or make an impact in the world, this is a huge sign that it’s time to search for something better.
You may feel like your skills and talents are being wasted or that your job role is insignificant. This can play on your mind and make you feel demoralized over time, which can start to affect your mental health.
Also Read: Revealed! 4 Best Business-Minded Zodiac Signs
2. You feel burnt out
If you’re feeling physically or mentally burnt out because of your work, you might be in the wrong career. Although we’re all prone to feeling tired and demotivated every now and then, this shouldn’t be a regular occurrence.
The main signs of burnout include chronic fatigue, insomnia, headaches, low mood, and irritability. You might also begin to find it difficult to concentrate properly on your work.
3. Your job is impacting your personal life
It can be difficult to find a great work-life balance but it shouldn’t be impossible. Your work should be challenging and stimulating but not to the point where you are overworked.
Your body is very clever and it will tell you when things are wrong through physical symptoms, like exhaustion and lethargy. You may also notice the signs of chronic stress, like insomnia, hair loss, changes in appetite, and anxiety.
If you are experiencing these symptoms or you feel like you can’t switch off from work when you get home, you’re probably in the wrong career.
Also Read: How to Find the Right Career When You Are Confused About What To Do, By Jacob Wedderburn-Day
4. Your wage isn’t high enough
As important as it is to find a job that makes you happy, it’s also important that your career choice earns you enough money. Love the job that you’re in and feel engaged in the work but your monthly wage doesn’t cut it.
With the rising cost of living, earning enough money has never been more important. You need to find a career that enables you to live the life that you want comfortably.
If you have specialist skills or a university-level degree, you’re in a great position to find a career that has a higher earning potential than the one you’re currently in and earn more money.
5. You don’t feel fulfilled
If you don’t feel like your job is fulfilling your true passions, this is one of the major signs that a career change could be on the cards. It’s important to find a job that enables you to express yourself and fuels the fire in your soul.
As dramatic as that might sound, when you find a courier that aligns with your passions, you will never have to work another day in your life. The perfect career could be waiting there for you but you won’t know it’s there if you continue working in a job that doesn’t fulfill your passions or dreams.
6. You want to work from home
If you are in a job that requires you to go and work in an office or any sort of environment that is outside of your home, you might dread every working day. You might get anxious each night and worry about having to head out into the cold winter morning to travel to work.
If these feelings sound all too familiar, your job is probably not right for you. Many people prefer to work from the comfort of their own homes as opposed to in an office.
It’s worth talking to your employer before you leave your current job to see if they are willing to negotiate your work location. However, if they do not allow remote working even on a part-time basis, but this is something that you desire, it may be time for a career change.
7. You’re constantly hoping for something better
Do you find yourself constantly searching on job sites to see what vacancies are available, reading about potential career paths, or daydreaming about something better while you’re at work? The very fact that you are reading this article is a sign that your current career is not satisfactory.
Thinking about other career paths is a clear sign that you want something more. Instead of checking job boards every day or daydreaming about a new career, why not do something about it?
Start doing some in-depth research about potential career paths and reach out to professionals who are already working in your desired field. Start applying for the job vacancies that you’ve been stalking for so long and see what happens!