Should I change career? Top 11 signs
We’ve all had the Sunday night blues, but when should we recognise that a change could be the best option?
If you’re having doubts and you recognise one or more of these 11 signs, it’s probably time to start looking for a new career.
1. You always get the dreads
It’s not always easy to feel enthusiastic and excited, especially when your alarm goes off on those dark winter mornings. But if you consistently dread your job you’re probably in need of a switch.
We spend most of our lives at work, so it’s really essential for our wellbeing to enjoy what we do. Remember, it’s natural to have good and bad days, but if you find yourself with more bad than good, you owe it to yourself to make sure that changes.
2. You don’t enjoy socialising with colleagues
Does the thought of Friday night drinks have you creating excuses? Perhaps you used to skip your work outings pre-pandemic?
Communication and camaraderie are vital parts of working in a team. And whilst COVID-19 has impacted on our social lives, technology has fortunately provided many ways of keeping in touch with colleagues. So, if you find that you’re regularly declining invites or distancing yourself from those you work with, it could be down to something deeper.
3. You’re just not motivated
Everybody’s different. Some people perform better in the morning and others feel more focused in the afternoon. But, if you’re always lacking drive and determination, it’s going to have an impact. Not only will you be more likely to make mistakes, but it will be harder to do your best work. And this could make you feel even more negative about the job.
Take some time to think about why you’re lacking that motivation. Could it be down to a poor working environment? If so, keep reading on to sign 9. Maybe you don’t see much chance for progression or personal development? Be sure to take a look at sign 7.
4. You get ill often
Stress has a big impact on health. If you’re worrying about work and not sleeping well as a consequence, you’re likely to get rundown. Listen to your body and recognise when you’re not feeling like your usual self. Irritability, appetite changes, acne breakouts, and low energy levels are just some of the manifestations to look out for.
5. You’re overworked
You may also see your health decline if you’re putting in too many hours. Is your work/life balance suffering? Are you able to properly switch off and relax? Do you take enough time off during the year? Burnout is, arguably, one of the biggest and most obvious factors.
Whilst we all want to do our best, there’s a fine line between being a reliable, hardworking employee and being taken advantage of. Remember, it’s okay to say no sometimes. Put yourself first and make sure you don’t lose valuable time with those closest to you.
6. You don’t feel valued
Are you living to work or just working to live? If you’re putting in overtime without any recognition or reward, it’s probably the latter. You may have even seen colleagues around you get promoted. Or perhaps you’ve just found a similar job offering a higher salary.
Sometimes raising the issue with a manager is all you need to do, but other times there may be no action. If you don’t see change on the horizon, it’s probably for the best to take your skills elsewhere.
7. You don’t see any room for progression
It’s human nature to want self-improvement. So if there’s no room to learn, grow, and develop it can feel like you’re on a plateau. Lots of companies offer training and internal recruitment, but many still don’t.
Regardless of whether or not you aim to move up the ladder, there are countless benefits to learning new skills and taking on new challenges.
Nowadays, you can study many qualifications, such as ACCA, AAT or CIMA. All three can offer you the opportunity to use your skills in a variety of countries and industries.
So don’t worry about getting stuck in one area, or feeling like you have to stick to what you know now. Taking a leap and getting qualified shows employers you’re serious and opens many doors.
8. Your role hasn’t changed for the better
Most businesses are adapting and evolving. Whether that’s down to a loss of staff or market changes, it usually has a knock-on effect. Occasionally, this can be positive and may open up new doors. But if your day-to-day responsibilities have increased or strayed away from what you signed up for, it can take its toll.
9. You’re in a negative work environment
Good leadership and management helps to bring out the best in people. But with poor communication and no clear vision, getting things done can be very difficult. And it only takes one or two bad apples to affect the dynamic. Usually it’s down to poor planning or people not pulling their weight, but in rare cases it could even be illegal activity. Whatever the cause, starting a new job search is probably for the best.
10. You see a lot of people leaving
High staff turnover is a huge giveaway. If you see a lot of staff leave and get replaced, or even not in some cases, there should be some alarm bells ringing.
It’s rare to find a manager who wants to go through hiring processes over and over again. Not only is it costly, but it also drains a lot of time and resource. If your employer isn’t working hard to retain its employees, it’s safe to assume they don’t value them as much as they should. After all, a stable and happy workforce is one of the most important assets to any business.
11. You’ve already starting looking
The fact that you’re reading this blog indicates you’re probably familiar with at least some of these signs. If you spend a lot of time scrolling through job boards or looking into new avenues, it can be overwhelming and exhausting. However, it’s better to take action and get into something you love than wish the weekdays away.
Don’t let fear of the unknown trap you in an unfulfilling, unrewarding career. Consider your interests and the areas you’d like to make a difference in. The rest will come with research, time, and sheer determination. And remember, many industries are seeing increased demand since COVID-19, including accountancy.
Ready to make a switch?
According to a survey by the Office for National Statistics launch, the rate of people changing careers increased by 5.2% from 2010-2018. So if you are considering a move, you’re not alone.
Here at Eagle, we empower people just like yourself to get into a stable, flexible, and well-paying career. And accountancy is always in demand, across the globe. Whatever you’re passionate about, from fashion to football, a role in finance could be your ticket in.
Our fully-approved online courses give you the freedom to study core industry qualifications, AAT, ACCA, and CIMA, on a budget. Simply subscribe and access materials for the whole course, including tutor-led videos and practice assessments. So why not start your accountancy journey with us and begin looking forward to a brighter future? You’ll even get your first 7 days free.