Should you be considering a new job?

The holidays are coming up, and a time for reflection comes with them. If you are like me, I reflect on what I had planned to do, have done, and how I have contributed as a work colleague, friend, partner, and family member. I also reflect on my career path and ask myself the question … is my current career path going to provide me with the things that are important to me now and into the future? Generally, from my experience, most people can’t help but think about what they want out of their careers but not all actually do something about it.

It has been such an intense two years in many ways from navigating through the many restrictions and lockdowns, working long hours, potentially experiencing burnout all just to get through this era without taking sufficient time off. This changing environment has left many employees feeling drained. It’s time to rejuvenate and reassess what you want out of your current and/or future roles.

A few things to consider:

Do you feel like you are making an impact in your current role? Is your job affecting your personal life? Do you find yourself thinking of another job often? Are you in a job that is not fulfilling? Are you unhappy with the culture of your workplace and want to make a change?

If you find yourself nodding along then maybe now would be a really good time to consider making a move to a new role. People often feel stuck in jobs that don't offer them any fulfilment. The first step towards making a change is figuring out what you want for the future, and if this involves leaving your current position. It can be scary to take those steps but there are many resources available, and this article will help guide you through it.

?If you're like most people, your career is one of the most important aspects of your life. You want to feel fulfilled, rewarded and satisfied with what you do every day. The truth is that many people end up in careers they never expected themselves to be in because they didn't think about what would make them happy. It's a great time to think about what you want for the future of your career.

?The first step in making this change is figuring out what you specifically want. Taking time for yourself and thinking about the future may seem like something only college students do, but we all need to take some time out of our busy lives to think about our careers and where we see ourselves going. You will find that taking some time for reflection will benefit your career immensely. It allows you to align your values with those of a company or industry and allows you to identify new skills to develop.

We generally don't always know the career path we want to take, but we know what kind of lifestyle we want to have. With Christmas only around the corner, it provides you with a great opportunity to take a few weeks off and think of what you want for your future.

?“Find out what you like doing best and get someone to pay you for doing it."?—Katherine Whitehorn

You've reached the ceiling in your company and it's time for a change, but where do you start?

People often feel stuck in jobs that don't offer them the level of fulfillment they need. The first step towards making a change is figuring out what you want for the future and developing goals and a plan to deliver these goals. . As a candidate, you must know where you want to go in the future and be able to communicate this with potential employers during interviews or networking events.

?Some questions you might want to ask yourself are:

·??????What is important to you in your life?

·??????What flexibility do you want in your career to fulfill your personal goals?

·??????Professionally what do you want to achieve?

·??????What skills do you need to get to that?

·??????Is my current career pathway going to deliver my lifestyle goals?

?Think about your deal-breakers?or "demotivators" at work. It could be long hours, lack of recognition, or a workplace missing a sense of purpose. It's an exercise that can help you get a sense of the values that drive you and what will make you feel good in a work situation. It's also important to consider your financial situation, as well as your strengths and motivations. Be honest with yourself, write down these things, and then move on to the next step.

??"The best way to predict the future is to create it."?—Abraham Lincoln

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Take a planned and considerate approach, this is your career after all.

Before you make any type of move, ensure you do your research just like you would if you were buying a new car. Get under the hood and find out the real culture of an organisation before signing a contract. Talk to recruiters, managers, conduct online research, learn everything about a potential company. If their values align with yours, you’re much more likely to succeed there.

Do they really invest in professional development? Do they have a track record of internal promotions? Do they have a healthy balance sheet and a history of financial stability? What did they do to create a culture of happiness and success in 2020 and 2021?

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Importantly, don’t leave it until next year.

If you want to have a successful career transition, it’s important not only to take the time necessary for self-reflection but also to start conversations with recruiters and others in your network now. You can schedule catch-ups throughout January. This way, you have committed to starting your journey and you can enjoy your break. I hope this gives you the boost to start exploring new opportunities before your holiday break.

Only you are in control of your career so take action now. This may sound like an obvious statement, but some people sit idle because they think that their career will fall in their lap. Having a clear understanding of what you want from your career will show that you are proactive and have clear goals for yourself which will help build rapport between yourself and future employers. If you're unsure of where to start when it comes to thinking about your future, I'd be happy to have a confidential chat with you. While I'm not going to tell you what specifically might be in store for you over the next few months or years, I can give you some important information and insights that will help keep your career on track.

?“You can't build a reputation on what you're going to do."