11 Questions To Ask Yourself If You Are Thinking About Changing Career

The thought of changing careers can be a scary prospect.

You could have been in a job for 5 years, and the idea of uprooting seems intimidating; maybe you don’t know what you would do if you were to end up leaving; or potentially you got your first job straight after graduating, and have no idea what else is out there.

Never fear, this conclusive list will help you determine if you are ready to move on with your career.

1. Would I apply today for the job I currently have?

If you could go back in time to when started your current job, knowing exactly what day to day life in the job would entail, would you still be excited to start your first day tomorrow?

If not, then you have to consider why.

Are you only working the same job because you’re comfortable, and it seems easier than leaving? For a more thorough analysis of this question, click here.

Hopefully the next series of questions should help you decide whether or not changing careers is right for you.

2. Am I paid enough?

At the end of the day, this isn’t a volunteer role (unless of course, it is a volunteer role, in which case it seems silly to complain about money).

If you think you’re worth more than your current job is paying, then don’t be afraid to look around. Exploring other roles could give you a better evaluation of your worth, and will give you a stronger bargaining position when you come to renegotiating your contract.

If your current company doesn’t agree that you are worth as much as other companies think, then it’s their loss — you’ll be laughing at them from the bow of your super-yacht in 5 years time.*

3. Will I get a promotion?

If you have been overlooked for the past 3 promotions by annoying Dave in the next cubicle over, then it’s probably time to move on.

Maybe your heart isn’t really in it. Perhaps that poorly timed joke at the Christmas party is still haunting you 3 years later.

Whatever the reason, there is no point in watching your colleagues supercede you, when you know you deserve better.

4. Do I want to be here in 5 years time?

There is a reason that the most cliche question in job interviews is, “where do you see yourself in 5 years?”.

If the idea of still being at the same company in half a decade bores or terrifies you, then looking at other opportunities now will save you from falling into that rut, and accidentally seeing your career pass you by. If you look around and see that nothing is better than the career path you are currently on, fantastic! At least you have all the information.

5. Do I make a difference at work?

Do you feel that something at work could be better, but you don’t have the opportunity to have you voice heard on the matter? One of the benefits to changing career is that you can be discerning in your choice of company based on what values truly matter to you. If it’s important for you to have the chance to mould a company around your ideas, perhaps you would be happier in a company with a flat structure. Its up to you to seize those opportunities, and bring about that step change when you find yourself stuck doing some mind-numbing corporate process.

6. What did I learn in the last month?

If you’re not learning, you’re not moving forward, and if you’re not moving forward, you’re stagnating. Stagnating helps nobody.

A new career will force you outside your comfort zone, and make sure you keep on your toes, constantly improving yourself.

7. What am I good at?

Sit down for 5 minutes and write down all the things you are best at in the world. Don’t worry if it seems silly or trivial, nobody has to see it and we won’t tell anyone — we promise!

By identifying your natural strengths, you’ll boost your confidence, and see whether you’re fulfilling your potential at work. For example, if you are fantastic with people, yet find yourself glued to spreadsheets 8 hours a day (for any reason other than a series of bizarre adhesive accidents), it might be worth finding something more suitable to you.

8. Can my strengths be converted into a job?

Take a thorough look at your list, and see if there is a common theme that runs through it. If you are a food connoisseur who can’t get off twitter, and hates the corporate struggle, the job of a social media manager at a startup food company could be your cup of tea.

9. What am I looking for in a company?

The company you work for is just as, if not more, important as the role you take within the company.

Does working in the coolest offices in town matter more to you than the tech you use? Would you rather be guided through each step of a process to ensure you feel comfortable, or left alone to work it out the way that suits you best? Do you want to be left to hit your own targets, or work with a team to achieve an overall goal?

These are some of the things you need to consider in order to visualise your perfect company.

10. Do these magical, awesome companies exist?

This is where TalentRocket comes in. You can browse through tonnes of great companies. Filter through our 6 badges that reflect the company culture , and have a look at all all the quirks that make companies unique. Take a look inside the offices at Innocent, marvel at the Christmas Jumper policy at BorrowMyDoggy, or check out Uber’s lunchtime perks.

11. Who is hiring?

Second shameless plug in a row, but here it goes: If you are thinking about leaving your job because it just isn’t the right fit, it defeats the point to quit immediately, and accept an offer at the first company that’s hiring.

Here at TalentRocket, you can follow your dream companies, and get notified the second they are hiring. If they are hiring now, even better.

Conclusion

Changing career isn’t something that should be done without the proper thought and consideration. If you have made it all the way to the end of this post, then you are already doing something right.

Want to add to the conversation? We’d love to hear from you.

Let’s chat in the comments!
*Using TalentRocket in no way guarantees you a super-yacht!