It may seem ungrateful or even self-sabotaging to think about a career transition when no job is safe and the world is in turmoil. Yet many people find themselves thinking this exactly. Perhaps their job is now uncertain, directly or indirectly by the pandemic. Or an internal reorganisation is stifling their advancement, or they’re at an age of receiving subtle signals to move on. Against this backdrop, shaping a new career trajectory is the sensible — and perhaps the only — option.
For others, the desire to move is from deep within. A time of uncertainty can serve as a catalyst that pushes us to reassess our situation. It’s natural for people to cast a critical eye on their career and ask, “Is this still working for me the way it should?”
But let’s address the elephant in the room.
Pre-covid, you never questioned showing up in the office, day in, day out.
Post-covid, the necessity of the office is an idea that’s eroded. Remote working is now ingrained around the globe, and here to stay.
If you’re now rethinking your career, do so for the right reasons — that is, going towards an opportunity that may bring you happiness and not simply away from an environment you can’t control.
What are you struggling with?
Before making a move, do you know why you want to do so? Here are some common issues:
Lack of purpose: When outside forces upend the daily routine, you may find your goals, interests and values are not what you thought they were, or shifted in some way. Your job may feel lesser when you rethink your priorities.
The mastery ceiling: You no longer feel the challenge of the job. You’ve fully mastered it and don’t see any opportunities for greater responsibility.
Structural restrictions: Perhaps you’ve moved up as far as you can within the company structure. Or the process for getting onto the next rung of the ladder is so out of reach that it’s easier to get a new role elsewhere. If you’ve looked at your boss’s job, or two level above and it doesn’t look enticing, that’s a sign you’ve plateaued.
Office politics: A big topic. I coach many people who still think politics is a negative experience from which to escape. Not necessarily so. With a bit of simple reframing, change your mindset about politics, developing both networks and behaviours which feel authentic to you. However, sometimes, even the most politically skilled professional struggles to gain power and influence if there are numerous roadblocks in the way. When it feels like a daily battle, it may (may) be time to move on.
If any of these apply to you, you might benefit from a career transition. Moving jobs in any of these scenarios is an opportunity to rewrite the script and find a balance which makes sense for you, a way to re-energize, set boundaries, know your purpose and achieve growth through personal development.
But is that all?
Read the full article on Medium.
