It’s only natural to experience work frustrations from time to time but how do you know when it’s more than that? Has your job truly run its course? Your answers to a few simple questions may hold the key to whether your career requires a minor tune up or you’re ready for a complete career overhaul.
How do you feel every morning before you head to work?
While most of us aren't likely to be bounding out of bed to get to work every single day, a sense of daily dread may be a sign that you need to consider a new job.
If you’re happy with the industry that you’re working in but are just frustrated with your current role, you may need to explore a fresh start at a new company or making an internal move to a different team. However if it’s your industry that’s the problem, it might be time to broaden your horizons and explore a change of career.
Are you happy with your work-life balance?
We are hearing more and more about the importance of work-life balance as it can greatly impact our general well-being. If you feel that you’re currently married to your job and barely have time for anything else, it may be leading you to feel burnt out and filled with resentment.
If you’re not happy with your current working hours or feel as though your job is starting to impact your life outside of work in a negative fashion, it may be time to raise these issues with your manager. Do you feel comfortable having a conversation around streamlining your workload or hiring another team member to help give you a better balance, or the possibility of working from home part-time?
If the situation is less about your role and more about the pressure you’re under in your particular industry, it may be time to think about a change of career to help achieve a better work-life balance and peace of mind around the clock. Read up on the industries that are more accommodating when it comes to your idea of work-life balance (keeping in mind the definition of work-life balance can vary between industries and roles).
Are you bored?
Feeling challenged in your role is key to avoiding boredom on the job while also helping you to broaden your skills. If you feel that you are just going through the motions and that your current role isn’t giving you scope to grow and learn new things, it might be time to explore what you can do to take it to the next level. This might mean speaking to your manager about taking on new responsibilities or undertaking further study and training to prepare you to take the next step in your career.
Do you feel inspired by your environment?
We spend so much time on the job that it’s only natural our workplace will impact us both mentally and emotionally. If you find that your current work environment is a bit lacklustre, it might be worth considering moving to a new organisation. The change in scenery and also meeting new people may invigorate your passion for your career.
Can you easily identify the next step in your career?
When looking at your current role, can you clearly identify what your next career move will be? If you find that there’s no clear path to what your next step might be (or no opportunity to do so within your current company), you may need to reassess whether you need to move into a different department or organisation in order to progress your career. If you do decide to move into a new career, make sure you create a career plan for yourself so you're starting on the right foot with clearly defined goals.
If you find you can identify your next step, but know it’s not the career progression you’d like to make, it might be worth considering a career shift that will allow you to move into a job that’s more aligned with what you want to do. Ensure you resume stands out from the crowd by adding a National Police History check from Ruswin - call today. Just $48.40 and generally a response within 24 hours.
