Considering a Career Change? Here’s what you need to evaluate.
For job seekers a career change could present many options. For some it means a shift in a job function, for others it could mean pursuing formal education or training for a new career, and then there are job seekers whose desire is to start their own business.
No matter the change, the impact on the family’s finances needs to be considered especially if the job seeker is starting their own business. This option involves long term planning as most start-up businesses take three to five years to become established. Therefore, a full review of the families current and future financial needs should be discussed.
Retirement is yet another option available to the job seeker. A decision to leave the job market and engage in activities outside of the workplace can be a serious option and requires forward thinking. Making this decision not only entails a review of family finances, it requires the job seeker to create what their retirement will look like. Some questions you should ask yourself are: How will I fill my days? Achieve personal satisfaction? Engage with others? Do I want to volunteer? Take on a part-time gig? Or spend more time with family?
When exploring a change, your priorities, and values play an important role in determining the direction you gravitate towards. Knowing what is important to you today acts as a guide when making your decision.
Below I present a series of reflective questions. These questions are broken into three steps to help you determine your priorities. In addition, you will find an outline for a values exercise. This exercise will help you to identify your top four values.
Knowing what is driving your desire for change, along with learning what your current priorities and values are, is the groundwork for successful decision-making.
Evaluating your Priorities
Step 1. Take the time to tune in to what is driving your career/job dissatisfaction. Was there a recent change in management or job responsibilities? Are you feeling held back, stagnant? Or was there a dream job/career that you once thought about and are still thinking about it? Write down your thoughts.
Step 2. Quite possibly your career or work situation is in direct conflict with what is important to you today. Maybe your family has grown, or you have aging parents that need assistance. When life's circumstances change it is a time to acknowledge what priorities have shifted. For example, this change could lead you to need more flexible work hours, an increase in pay, or a job closer to home. Whatever your circumstances, take the time to evaluate what has changed in your life. Write down your thoughts.
Step 3. Think about what you love to do best, and the skills that coincide with this work. Think about what you are passionate about, and what industries come to mind? Have you explored through informational interviews how your skills may transfer to new fields of interest? Do you know if additional training/education may be needed to pursue a change in your job or career? Write down your findings.
Evaluating your Values
Your personal value system plays a role in the choices you make about your career, yet often when values shift, you may not be aware of there impact. Knowing how you have changed is important, and knowing what your top four values are today is a good start.
To discover what your values are, read through the list of values below. Select the top four values that resonate best with you today. If there is a value that is not reflected below, add it to your list of four. Then apply what you learned to your career decision making.
LIST OF VALUES - choose your top four values from this list Autonomy, Security, Challenge, Wealth, Service to Others, Achievement, Belonging, Collaboration, Friendships, Leadership, Creativity, Power, Technical Expertise, Career Growth, Meaningful Work