If you are thinking about changing your career this year, then you need to focus and think about the direction of your career and its role in your life.
It’s important that you think about the following questions. Now is a good time to reflect, as the world of work is changing rapidly and if you are serious about changing or advancing your career, you will need to be prepared.
We have seen, especially more so this year, that certain skills, such as flexibility, judgment and “soft skills” such as emotional intelligence can’t be automated and are essential in nearly every role, especially management. Therefore being self aware and knowing how you fit is key.
I have outlined some key questions to ask yourself if you're planning to change your career this year:
1.What does your career do for you?
Money? Pride? Do you have an end goal in sight. Is it just for money or is there something else? Do you have career goals?
2. What matters to you?
What is really important to you? Culture? Your leader? Bonus? Values? Do you believe your business has enough ambition? The people you work with? Behaviour in the workplace? Ethics? Whatever matters most to you, define it, and then find a career that matches with these values.
3.Why are you making a change?
This year has been one of the hardest most people have faced. We have had an abundance of challenges and some have battled those and shown huge amounts of resilience and this could have motivated them to make a career change. Sometimes people are just bored, and have fallen into a rut. In that case, what they might need is a new job rather than career. Sometimes they really do want to do something different. They are tired of the challenges at their current career and are ready to take on something new. Other times the industry they are in is no longer thriving and they want to do something that has more potential. Do you need a new job or new career? What is really motivating you to make a career change?
4. What makes you different?
You really need to know yourself here and have the confidence to admit what you can do better than others around you. Sometimes that is really obvious! If you don’t know what makes you stand out then it could be a potential issue when you are looking for a new career as this is what you need to sell to your prospective employer.
5. What makes you happy?
Interesting question, as what matters to you might not be your happiness… you may have relatives that rely on you, a family to support.
I would still ask yourself this question, you need to understand what motivates you at work. Some may stay in a job for the salary, pension, flexibility. Dig deep and think about your dream job. Could you see a path to get there? You can find ways to have career happiness, even if it’s not exactly what you thought it would look like at first.
6. What are you learning from your work and what do you want to learn?
Your learning and creativity are key to keeping you interested and valuable in a career. Otherwise you become a disengaged worker. Do you want to take any courses, work with a mentor. What skills would you like to develop further?
7. What do you do that AI couldn’t do?
Another interesting question!
AI could knock out a couple of industries pretty swiftly. Keep building on your softer skills.
8. What are you getting back from your work?
As a front line worker this has been highlighted hugely so this year. It's made others question what good or bad! is resulting from their work…This could be involvement with a charity, supporting the vulnerable, and overall the mission of your organisation.
Don’t be scared to ask yourself these questions, once you have answered them you will be in a much better position to either make a change or not.
