ExecutiveChronicles | 5 Warning Signs That You Need a Career Change | We’ve all heard stories of people who’ve worked the same job for their whole life. They joined their company straight out of school and ended up retiring there. Can you imagine working at your job for the next 20 to 30 years and still being happy at the end?
If your answer is no, then a career change should be something you consider today – before it is too late to change. We’ve all heard rumors that you can’t teach old dogs any new tricks, but that is untrue – it just takes a little longer when you’re older.
If you’ve been struggling with your lackluster career, and you’re wondering if it’s time for a change, this article will highlight the top five warning signs that you need to move on.
1. Your Job No Longer Excites You
If you find yourself waking up in the morning and reluctantly getting out of bed to go to work, you need a change. As much as any career has its ups and downs, if you are experiencing more downs and you cannot remember the last up, you must take that as a sign to move on to greener pastures.
Your career should fill you with excitement, at least most days anyway. It’s hard to keep the excitement alive when one day bleeds into the next, and your career dreams feel like they’ve gone down the toilet.
2. You Feel Under-Valued
As an executive employee, there is little worse than feeling undervalued. Most jobs take some time to get used to and for someone to show you the ropes. If you’re ten years into the same career and still feel undervalued and under-utilized, you need a change.
Many people are afraid to make a lateral move, particularly so deep into their careers, but if you’re going to be happier doing something else, you need to do it.
3. You’re Anxious on a Sunday Night
As much as we all love our weekends and time with our families, if you find yourself wishing away the week and dreading waking up on a Monday morning, then something is wrong.
If Sunday nights fill you with uneasy anxiety, you should start looking for another career. Sometimes changing careers will mean a location change also, but moving to a state with low unemployment rates is worth it.
Take Utah unemployment, for example – their rate has dropped to an all-time low. Low unemployment rates are usually a good sign, but too low rates negatively affect inflation and productivity.
4. You’re Not Paid Enough
You’re unlikely to be happy in your career if you are underpaid. Under-paid employees take more personal and sick days, and they are far less productive than their better-paid colleagues.
Doing online research can help you make sure that your company is paying you a fair market wage, if they are not then schedule a meeting to discuss your concerns.
5. The Future Scares You
Your future should fill you with optimism and excitement, anything less than that simply won’t do. You only have one life to live, so make sure that your chosen career fills you with purpose and contentment.
