RW - foRWard Health & Wellbeing eMag - Feb 25 - Flipbook - Page 49
We can all yearn for something more when life
feels a little stagnant. And mentally, it’s good
for us to find a new challenge. The University
of Queensland states that most people will
tend to work 3-7 different careers before
retiring. So, with the new year in full swing, it’s
time to consider your next career move!
WHEN IS THE optimal time to consider
your next career move?
Deciding when to make a career move can be
just as important as choosing the right
opportunity. One key indicator is when you
feel stagnant in your current role—whether it’s
a lack of growth, new challenges, or career
progression. If you find yourself disengaged,
unmotivated, or no longer learning, it may be a
sign that it’s time to explore new paths.
Regularly assessing your job satisfaction and
career goals can help determine whether your
current role aligns with your long-term
aspirations.
Another ideal time to consider a career move is
when your industry or sector is experiencing
growth and new opportunities. Staying
informed about trends, skills in demand, and
emerging roles can help you position yourself
strategically. If you notice that professionals
with your expertise are in high demand or that
businesses are actively hiring in your field, it
might be the right moment to make a change
and secure a more fulfilling or bettercompensated position.
Personal circumstances also play a crucial role
in timing your career transition. Major life
events, financial stability, or changes in
personal priorities can influence when you take
the leap. If you've built a solid financial cushion,
expanded your skill set, or reached a point
where your current job no longer fits your
lifestyle, it could be the right time to move on.
Ultimately, the best time to make a career
change is when you feel prepared, confident,
and ready to take the next step toward a more
rewarding professional journey.
Your go-to list for working
towards your next career
move
Identifying what you want: One of the
significant anxiety pokers when looking
at what we want in the future is the
unknown. You could have this intrinsic
yearning for more but cannot put your
finger on what that is. So, do some soulsearching and identify what it is that
you want. Ask yourself: Do you want or
need a career change? Do you want
more responsibilities? Do you want
fewer responsibilities? Do you need a
better work-life balance?
Network, network, network: One of
the best weapons in your arsenal for
planning a career move is talking to
those around you. Use platforms like
LinkedIn and reach out to those you
admire or are in a position you’d like to
progress to. Ask them what it took to
reach their goal/position and what
development plans they undertook.
Also, ask them for their perspective on
your desired change (essentially a pros
and cons list). Hopefully, this will help
you understand what you need to do
and whether the move is what you
desire.
Explore your opportunities to grow and
where you need to develop: By this
phase of your quest, you may know
what you want, so it’s time to work out
how you get there. Mood board your
weaknesses and strengths and identify
which of your strengths make you a
good match for your desired career
move. From there, locate which
weaknesses you need to address and
create a development plan. Your
manager may be able to help you with
this process and set you up for success.
It may just take a conversation…
