Making a career change is a huge step that can have a significant impact on your life. When you’re making a major life change, it is always best to take personal inventory and think things through to determine the best path for success. Here are ten essential career change questions to ask yourself in 2019.
1. What is your definition of career success?
Understanding what motivates you to get out of your warm bed and apply yourself to work is the beginning point of establishing your career objectives. Determine whether you define success in terms of income level, helping others, a job well-done, or something else.
2. Which emotions are driving your change?
An emotional response to a situation or certain circumstances at your current job can sometimes drive you toward a career change. Consider whether those emotions are leading you toward a positive or negative response to your current career.
3. Will the struggles be worth it?
When you change careers, you often have to start over and struggle to reach the same level you have already achieved. Additionally, you might have to make some sacrifices to learn new skills and reach new levels of education.
4. What do you want your career to do for you?
Your career should be helping you to reach personal life objectives. Understanding whether you are getting what you expect from your career is an important consideration.
5. What skills make you stand out in a crowd?
Some skills are easily transferable from one career to another, especially communication and team skills, but many technical skills as well. Often your current job limits being able to use your special skills, which can be frustrating.
6. What makes you happy?
This is a tough question for many people to answer, but when you are considering a career change it is important. You should make an honest attempt to define whether your current career or those you are considering will meet this need.
7. Who do your career choices serve?
Some people get into their field because someone else wants that career for them. Knowing whether your career is something that serves you or keeps someone else happy is definitely a consideration.
8. What sort of new skills will you need to develop?
The development of technical skills or additional education might be required for you to make a career change. Be prepared to meet these challenges when making a career change.
9. Is the timing right for making a change?
Making a career change under certain circumstances can lead to disastrous or negative results. A career change might be necessary, but it might be something that you need to put off for a little while.
10. Will a career change really meet your expectations?
Now, this is the kicker. This question will help you determine whether making a career change is really going to live up to what you hope to gain from it. The grass might look greener in that other career, but it might not live up to your expectations.
How you compare your current career to the various goals and expectations you have for your life shapes your level of career satisfaction. After answering these career change questions, you should know whether making a switch is the right thing to do.
If you are seeking additional guidance to elevate your executive-level career, schedule a consultation with our executive career coaches today!
