Career Change: The Reasons
Here’s what The Guardian is saying about Career Change Statistics. It seems that 1 in 4 of us are considering changing our jobs! That is a high percentage and I see no reason for this figure to have improved. If 25 percent of us are considering changing job or career or sector then something must be going amiss. The article lists ‘job satisfaction‘ as a major factor in this choice, as well as real wages falling, as the cost of living rises.
What to Do with Career Change Statistics
We are not in control of the rise of the cost of living which persists into 2017. We are however in control of deciding what gives us job satisfaction. Before we charge ahead, chasing perceived job satisfaction in another role, perhaps it is important to define exactly how that will look before we head for an imaginary target.
It is easy to change a job because of what we don’t like: the increasing cuts, the skewed culture, the costs (both emotional and time-wise). It is easy to perceive that these will be improved elsewhere when we are looking in from the outside. When we get through that door, however, we can be in for a nasty shock when we meet replicators of those things we assumed we were ‘un-choosing’.
“I would advocate turning this process on its head”
As a career coach, I would advocate turning this process on its head. Make two big long lists before you make any move at all. Make a list of all you do like about your current role. Make a list of all you can bring to your professional role. By making these two lists you begin to build from a positive place. There may be a third list: The list of things that you appreciated in the past within your role if it has changed significantly. Once you have a good inventory of what you seek from work, then you may begin your job search. These lists will equip you with the knowledge of what does work for you in terms of your professional role. This avoids the short-termism of an appealing wage increase.
“Make it purposeful professional development”
This is the way to make a positive choice about your next professional step. Career change statistics prove that many people are considering ‘getting out’. It is those who constructively plan their exit, as opposed to those who grasp the next ‘obvious’ opportunity, who benefit from an authentic and enjoyable career change. Wages are definitely important. It is Job Satisfaction that will increase the career change statistics of success. Make your next career move from an informed place. Make it purposeful professional development.
You’ll find Rebecca here at the Daemon Career Coach