3 Important Things To Consider Before A Career Change

There are many reasons why women change jobs and careers. They could have urgent needs like finances, health, or other family matters. However, it is also common to change a career direction for more emotional and goal-oriented reasons. These might include burnout, lack of fulfillment, not being challenged, conflict with other staff, and the desire to help people. Asking the below questions might help you decide whether you should embark on a new career or stay put at your current job.

Why Do You Want to Leave Your Job?

You need to know exactly what is motivating you to leave your current employment. Simply recognizing your needs and desires will help you to understand what would be best for you and your future. Perhaps there’s something in your current position that makes you unhappy, but it may be better to try to resolve conflicts than to leave a secure job.

If you have been feeling behind or underqualified at your job, you might just need to take a course or get some additional training. Many companies offer help with continuing education, so it’s worth it to ask. This is common with training for health professionals, businesses, and manufacturing. 

What Is Most Important to You in a Career?

To be satisfied with a career, it’s important to do what you love in a way that matches your unique personality. Though it may not be possible to check every box, do a pros and cons list for your current position to see how close you come to your perfect job.

Here are some things to consider about your current job or a new one:

• Working hours
• The social aspect and work friends
• Salary 
• Work environment 
• Commute to work
• Praise and recognition
• Stimulation in your job
• Company perks and bonuses
• Training and opportunities for advancement

Identifying what your current job offers, against what you want, gives you a good indication of whether you should stay in your role or look elsewhere for something more suitable.

Is There a Career You’ve Always Wanted?

It isn’t always easy to know if and when you should make large life changes. In the case of contemplating a career change, I recommend doing as much research as you can before you make any decisions. You could also look into volunteering or doing an internship in the field of your choice. This will give a good sense of the industry and how you might fit into it.

Be aware that with any job, there will be both positives and negatives. This is why it’s essential to evaluate whether your existing career may need to be enhanced in some way before you decide to leave. If you’re deeply unhappy in your existing job, and there’s no solution, consider opportunities out there which will be better suited to your personality.