Lockdown caused many of us to rethink our careers in recent years, and a lot of us were uncertain and hesitant to welcome change at the beginning of the pandemic.
However, the opportunity to work remotely or experience furlough opened the doors to thinking twice about whether or not a workplace gives us enough opportunities, responsibilities and, most importantly, satisfaction.
In today’s climate, potential candidates and employers have increased their appetite for taking and offering job roles.
The idea of a career change can make even the most confident candidates feel nervous, especially when living in such an uncertain economy. However, it is good to consider the benefits of taking the initial risk. The future is a new role that could potentially be the best, most rewarding decision an employee could ever make.
When to make a career change
Before taking the plunge, consider why you are thinking about moving jobs. There are numerous reasons people seek a new role, from finances to stress-related struggles, but regardless of why there are a few obvious signs that inform you when the time is right.
You have lost passion
It is often seen as a blessing to work in your dream role, but there is always the opportunity to work in what you love rather than working to live. Practical or realistic goals seem to cast a shadow on our once gleaming childhood aspirations, but you are the person in the driver’s seat. There is always room to work towards your dreams, and many have realised such during the Covid restriction period.
Once unreachable careers are now at our fingertips thanks to technology and the expansion of possibility. If you have lost passion for your career, don’t be afraid to move forward. In recent years, candidates have sought roles that give them purpose and allow them to make an impact on what they care about most.
At Morgan Latif, we work with the packaging industry, where employees are passionate about looking after our planet. We also work with the medical devices industry, where candidates take pride in looking after people at heart.
You are no longer happy
Despite what is ingrained in the minds of many generations over time, happiness at work is crucial. It’s no longer about suffering a 9 to 5 job without reaping any rewards. Many issues could cause unhappiness at work, such as long hours, stressful projects and the relationships between you, co-workers and senior team members.
Workplace worries affect productivity but also our personal lives. In fact, according to a 2022 Metro survey, 72% of those asked admitted that their workplace unhappiness has negatively impacted their physical and mental wellbeing. If you feel like your job affects your mental health, it is most likely time to move on.
You need a challenge
Sometimes it’s not the satisfaction or passion you lack in a role, it’s the lack of challenge and progression. A well-written routine can soon feel like groundhog day without any growing room, and taking the plunge and pushing yourself is what allows you to develop into a stronger, well-rounded employee. If you are feeling too comfortable in your current position, it might be time to come out of familiarity and into a role that encourages you to learn more, upskill and advance your career.
Your values no longer align with the role
What once was a role you could see yourself doing for years could be the same job you no longer believe in the next day. Sometimes, as you learn and grow, passions change, and your values may no longer align with a business’s goals and mission.
What felt rewarding at 21 may feel very different as you reach your late 30s. Your life and values will change as you grow older, and what was important to you ten years ago may not even cross your mind today. Search for a company that stands by the same values and you will feel comfortable pursuing everything you desire.
The advantages and disadvantages of a career change
Weighing up the pros and cons of changing careers will affect each individual differently, depending on their current situation. Here are just a few of the advantages and disadvantages of changing jobs.
The advantages
Increase in income
One of the most obvious advantages of a career change is an increased salary. And while money isn’t everything, it does provide you with stability and security in your personal life – something you can’t put a price on. You could earn a substantial increase in a similar role by moving on to another company or switching careers entirely and working in a different industry with higher pay windows.
Less stress
You could have all the money in the world without any tranquillity at work. Stress can cause several health issues and, in turn, can reduce your quality of life. Heading into a new career that meets your needs could reduce stress and any mental health struggles.
Level up
Staying at the same company or even within the same industry for too long can limit your chances of getting a promotion or advancing your career. Progression can be tough even in larger companies, so seeking a new role at a place that does is a great benefit.
The disadvantages
Competition is strong
The job market is competitive, and you may find yourself competing with those who are more experienced in the modern working world. Getting a job in today’s climate requires a strong CV, lengthy interview processes and skills that set you apart from the competition.
Commitment issues
Although unfair, some companies may question your commitment to the role when you shift careers. Employers will wonder what made you decide to leave your current role and may assume it’s something negative. Hiring employees is costly and takes a lot of time to pursue – so employers are searching for someone likely to stay at the company.
It could get worse
Is the grass as green as you pictured it on the other side? Of course, it is always a risk to up and move careers. The difficulty is that you may take a job that leaves you in a worse situation. This could be due to multiple reasons: for example, perhaps the people are not as friendly, or the role includes expectations you are unaware of.
How businesses can look after their employees
The phrase ‘’too little, too late’’ bears strong when it comes to keeping employee loyalty. If you are in a position where your employee hands their notice in, you often want to pull out all of the stops to keep them at the company. Unfortunately by that point, despite the costs of hiring again at an all-time high, you must learn from the experience, figure out where you could have gone wrong and develop from there. Take the time to invest in your employees and allow them the room to grow to prevent losing anyone else unnecessarily in the future. Most of the time employees are looking for real benefits rather than a counter-offer that wasn’t available to them in the first place.
Morgan Latif – building a better workforce
Through bespoke executive search, leadership coaching, training and consultancy services, we help our clients and candidates to enable effective and sustainable change. Our goal is to help businesses develop a team of leaders who create a better place to work in. Get in touch with us today to find out more.
