In September, Google searches for “leave job” reached their highest levels for half a decade. This is not only a result of the end of furlough, but also sees many of us looking to reassess a) how our work and life fit together and b) how we can gain more meaning and enjoyment in our work and life.
Maybe you’re looking to make a change, refocus or refresh your career?
Before you make the leap take some time to work through whether it really is the career that needs a change or are there are other factors at play, influencing your decision.
Here are some questions to help in your decision-making process and prepare you for your next step or conversation.
Questions to ask:
What do I like or even love about my current profession/ career?
Go back to when you first started, what was it that attracted you to this career path?
What did you envisage it to be like? What excited you? What worried you?
What is it about your current profession/ career that you don’t like?
Does it conflict with your values? Is it the career that’s the issue or is it the environment you’re working in? How is the culture the right fit for you? What elements of your role are causing the desire to leave?
What does your career do for you?
Is it the difference you make through your work? Is it about your professional identity? Is it about your own sense of self? Is it financial? Or is there something else?
What are the reasons you’re looking to make a change?
Family, flexibility, working environment, time to spend on hobbies, hybrid working, location, slow down, happiness? Something else?
What matters to you in your work and life?
Is it being able to have time to learn? Is it that you want a bonus as part of your job? Is it that you want to be your own boss? What are your non-negotiables? Whatever matters the most to you, make sure the career choice you’re making next will give you these.
What do you see are your transferrable skills?
Perhaps you’re a leader who is looking to move into project work so no longer looking for a role with people management skills. What are the transferrable skills you have that would be relevant to the new role? Project management, problem solving, relationship building, critical thinking, actively listening?
What makes you stand out from others working in the same career?
What is your core talent and superpower? What it is that you do that you know is better than anyone else? What is the one things you do that you see as your strength?
What do you stand for?
What are your values and beliefs? Is integrity important for you? Honesty? Teamwork?
What are you afraid of in making a change or next step?
Is is a fear of failure? Are you concerned about what people will think? What is the reason for not wanting to make a change? Understanding the real route of what you’re afraid of in terms of your career and next step, could give you an indication of what you might want to work on.
What are the real risks of doing nothing?
What would happen if you stayed where you were? What are the risks to you, to your learning, development, happiness or impact on your family and friends?
The aim of these questions is to give you a better idea of some of the reasons underpinning your potential career change. The answers may give you insight and a different perspective as to why you’re looking for change.
Good luck!
