You may have been in the same career for a long time. Perhaps it was your dream job when you started. Maybe you felt like you had found the ideal industry and the environment for you. There were progression opportunities and a good the salary. But something has changed. It no longer lights you up.

Is now the time for a change? And, if it is, how do you know what direction to go in next?

It is a big question that we may ask ourselves all the time. But maybe you should look at your career as you would a relationship...hear me out…

When you start a new relationship it’s all about discovery. You are learning about them. You are getting to know them. They may be really fun and interesting and all those quirky things that you are finding out as you get to know them are endearing and fascinating. You discover that you get on really well and they make you feel fantastic about yourself. You are both committed, put in equal effort and have positive mindset.

You are good at this relationship lark! You have a spring in your step, you are buzzing and the future seems really exciting.

Cut to several years down the line when your relationship has progressed, you may have moved in together, taken new steps, changed the way you do things, promoted your relationship to a new status.

But then things start changing that are out of your control. New people may have come into your circle who have changed the dynamic. Things about your partner may have started annoying you, the quirky things that endeared you at the beginning are now really annoying, and as things change you feel you are growing apart. Your workload could be growing with no recognition or extra reward, you are overlooked, ignored and undervalued…

Analogy over

You can end up staying in the wrong job or career much longer than you should just in the same way it is hard to let go of a long-term relationship, even when it has run its course.

You may feel safe in the job that you know, even if you don’t enjoy it anymore, just because you know it. You will probably find yourself telling yourself there are other people far worse off than you in worse jobs. You may have had your self-esteem diminished by a bad manager, lack of support and lack of opportunity. You may have taken on more responsibility without the financial reward.

When any of these things happen it can be difficult to see what else you could do or to find the motivation and strength to look for other jobs.

It's rarely just one thing that pushes us over the edge. People want jobs to work out. We don’t love change. Job hunting is an uncertain, wearing and an emotionally tiring pursuit. When people leave it's usually because they have hit a tipping point where they can't ignore it anymore.

10 warning signs to look out for

Your friends or family have voiced concerns about your job, your company, your industry because of your behaviour or conversations.
You are constantly trying to block out your thoughts during down time -compulsively scrolling on social media or news feeds, always have to have noise on - radio, tv, podcast - avoiding silence.
You feel like you don’t fit in in your organisation.
You do not respect the people in higher positions - leadership style, strategic direction or ethics.
You feel like you have a shorter temper than usual.
You dread going to work after the weekend or a holiday? Sunday night fear?
You talk more negatively about your job than you do positively?
The thought of still being in the same job in a year’s time makes you feel low, sad, heavy - or your response is ‘hell no way’ - then why wait to make the change - otherwise you are committing to unhappiness.
You feel trapped.
You have problems sleeping.

Making the change

So, like any broken relationship, it is time to work out how to leave it and move on with a new, positive but uncertain future.

Change takes strength, resilience, courage, determination, hopefulness and positivity - the belief that the change will make your life better even though there are no guarantees. Trying to do this from a low emotional position is REALLY hard - that is where I come in. I can help you to rebuild your confidence, to gain clarity about what success looks like, what happiness and satisfaction at work would feel like, and together we can forge a plan to first explore options, plan and then move forward.

We can review your CV together to see if it truly reflects you, your strengths and importantly whether it is focused on getting you the job you want. We can also look at interviewing training, and discuss post interview reflections. I can even be on the end of the phone for a pre interview pep call, if it’s needed. Essentially, I will get in the ring with you!

That's why my clients all create change that not only makes them happier and feel more valued but almost always pays more too. I help people to find jobs that align with their sense of purpose and play to their strengths. With this combination - success is always just around the corner. We excel in the things we enjoy and care about.

Fortem Blogs

How to know it might be time for a Career Change?

Analogy over

10 warning signs to look out for

Making the change