SUMMARY POINTS
It’s been toiling in your head for quite some time now. You’re not exactly enthralled with your current job. Some days are better than others. It fluctuates from week to week and even day to day sometimes.
On the so-so days, you’re contemplating an internal transfer to another position within the company. But most of the time, you’re scoping out new jobs within the industry because it’d be the fastest and easiest way out of the company and into another job somewhere else. So, you actively browse job postings on the web.
On bad days when you’re overwhelmed AF or just fed up with all the bullshit, your desperation levels drastically change your outlook. During these moments, you’re thinking to yourself, “Fuck this shit. I want out of this industry altogether. I wanna do something different.”
Now, before you make any rash decisions during one of your typical mental meltdowns, you gotta calm down, take a few steps back and evaluate things with a clear head.
On the so-so days, you’re contemplating an internal transfer to another position within the company. But most of the time, you’re scoping out new jobs within the industry because it’d be the fastest and easiest way out of the company and into another job somewhere else. So, you actively browse job postings on the web.
On bad days when you’re overwhelmed AF or just fed up with all the bullshit, your desperation levels drastically change your outlook. During these moments, you’re thinking to yourself, “Fuck this shit. I want out of this industry altogether. I wanna do something different.”
Now, before you make any rash decisions during one of your typical mental meltdowns, you gotta calm down, take a few steps back and evaluate things with a clear head.
Deciding Between Changing Jobs Versus Industries
You’re probably at the point of no return in your mind or at least, very close to it. You kinda know that you want to make a change but aren’t sure exactly to what degree.
The good thing is that you didn’t pull the ripcord and just bail out without doing some planning first. You came to your senses and now you’re trying to get an idea of what to do. You daydream at work about the better possibilities that may be out there in the world.
Here are some things you should think about before you make this change.
The good thing is that you didn’t pull the ripcord and just bail out without doing some planning first. You came to your senses and now you’re trying to get an idea of what to do. You daydream at work about the better possibilities that may be out there in the world.
Here are some things you should think about before you make this change.
Get Brutally Honest With Yourself
Before making any big decisions, it's essential to understand your motivations. In other words, you gotta do an honest self-assessment and get real about why you’re feeling the way you are.
Ask yourself why you are considering a change.
Are you bored and looking for more challenges and growth opportunities?
Do you want to dial things back and take a lower position with less stress?
Do you want to switch to a more fulfilling career?
Is this just to escape a bad situation?
Identifying your reasons will help you make a more informed decision. The more you understand the driving factors behind your motivations, the better you’ll be at knowing if, when and to what degree you should make a change.
Ask yourself why you are considering a change.
Are you bored and looking for more challenges and growth opportunities?
Do you want to dial things back and take a lower position with less stress?
Do you want to switch to a more fulfilling career?
Is this just to escape a bad situation?
Identifying your reasons will help you make a more informed decision. The more you understand the driving factors behind your motivations, the better you’ll be at knowing if, when and to what degree you should make a change.
Evaluate Your Current Job
Take a step back and evaluate your current job. Don’t just think about it. You gotta be serious about this. Set aside an hour and write down your thoughts on paper or at the very least, create a new Word document and save it for future reference. Digital notetaking vs paper both have their merits and detractions. Either way, get your thoughts recorded.
What are the things you like and dislike about your job?
Are there any opportunities for growth and development?
Is your company and culture a good fit for you?
How is your working relationship with your boss?
Understanding these factors can give you a better idea of what you want in your next job or industry.
What are the things you like and dislike about your job?
Are there any opportunities for growth and development?
Is your company and culture a good fit for you?
How is your working relationship with your boss?
Understanding these factors can give you a better idea of what you want in your next job or industry.
Forget Passions & Focus On Your Skills
If you are thinking about changing industries, it's common to only focus on your passions but don’t do that. In a perfect world, you’d be working in an industry that you’re very passionate about and get paid well for it. But, the world ain’t perfect and you need to come to grips with that.
The cliche of “following your passion” is bullshit and can lead you to a much harder life because most passions don’t pay the bills. A lot of people would love to be a six-figure salary globetrotter who blogs about the travel and leisure industry on all-expense paid trips. The reality is that most travel bloggers struggle to get by.
Get real with yourself on what you’re good at and commit to becoming great at it to be more attractive to other employers. Figure out what unique combination of skills you have that very few others offer and that the market needs. Use this unique combination to your advantage to get your next job or find that angle to get into a new industry.
The cliche of “following your passion” is bullshit and can lead you to a much harder life because most passions don’t pay the bills. A lot of people would love to be a six-figure salary globetrotter who blogs about the travel and leisure industry on all-expense paid trips. The reality is that most travel bloggers struggle to get by.
Get real with yourself on what you’re good at and commit to becoming great at it to be more attractive to other employers. Figure out what unique combination of skills you have that very few others offer and that the market needs. Use this unique combination to your advantage to get your next job or find that angle to get into a new industry.
Research The Job Markets & Industries
Before making a change, it's crucial to research the job market and industry you’re thinking about jumping into. Look into the demand for your current skills and experience in both your current industry and other potential industries. This will give you an idea of where you may have more opportunities.
The types of jobs and industries can vary widely on how they will fit with your lifestyle and needs. Some folks prefer boring but stable jobs in legacy industries while others enjoy the fleeting opportunities in high-flying tech startups with kickass work perks. The boring stable jobs don’t typically pay well while the layoff-prone tech startups do. Find out where in the spectrum best suits you.
The types of jobs and industries can vary widely on how they will fit with your lifestyle and needs. Some folks prefer boring but stable jobs in legacy industries while others enjoy the fleeting opportunities in high-flying tech startups with kickass work perks. The boring stable jobs don’t typically pay well while the layoff-prone tech startups do. Find out where in the spectrum best suits you.
Consider Your Finances
Changing jobs or industries can come with financial implications. The direction you choose will have a direct effect on your money situation.
If you’re able to get promoted or make a big jump within your current industry and advance your career, then your money situation isn’t a limiting factor. If you have to take a pay cut to get into another industry, then you gotta plan for this reduced income.
If you’re trying to break into another industry, then it's essential to consider how a change may affect your income and expenses.
Will you need to take a salary reduction to get your foot in the door?
Can you change your lifestyle to accommodate a lower income?
Are there opportunities or other side hustle micro-jobs that you can do to make up the lost income?
How long will it take to get back to your current salary?
Understanding these factors will help you make a more informed decision.
If you’re able to get promoted or make a big jump within your current industry and advance your career, then your money situation isn’t a limiting factor. If you have to take a pay cut to get into another industry, then you gotta plan for this reduced income.
If you’re trying to break into another industry, then it's essential to consider how a change may affect your income and expenses.
Will you need to take a salary reduction to get your foot in the door?
Can you change your lifestyle to accommodate a lower income?
Are there opportunities or other side hustle micro-jobs that you can do to make up the lost income?
How long will it take to get back to your current salary?
Understanding these factors will help you make a more informed decision.
Start Hustlin’ Your Network
You can learn a lot about other jobs and industries by reading things on the internet - for sure. However, some of your best insights are from people who are working in those jobs and industries now.
Reach out to people in your LinkedIn network who have experience in your potential next job or industry. These people are living the realities now and can tell you how it is straight up and not give you the sugar-coated fake shit.
Or even more ideally, see if you can find people in your network that have made similar career changes that you are thinking about. Ask them about their experiences, challenges, and successes. Their insights can give you a better understanding of what to expect - all of the pitfalls, advantages, disadvantages and “wish I knew” things.
The more “ground truth” information that you can get, the better off you’ll be in making the right decision.
Reach out to people in your LinkedIn network who have experience in your potential next job or industry. These people are living the realities now and can tell you how it is straight up and not give you the sugar-coated fake shit.
Or even more ideally, see if you can find people in your network that have made similar career changes that you are thinking about. Ask them about their experiences, challenges, and successes. Their insights can give you a better understanding of what to expect - all of the pitfalls, advantages, disadvantages and “wish I knew” things.
The more “ground truth” information that you can get, the better off you’ll be in making the right decision.
Seek Professional Advice
In addition to tapping your professional network, it’s also a good idea to round out your research by seeking professional advice from career coaches. There are a ton of career coach YouTubers who offer some amazing thoughts and perspectives on switching jobs and careers. And best of all, it’s totally free!
If you're feeling stuck or want to escape your current situation, consider seeking professional advice from a career coach or a peer mentor. They can provide unbiased insights and help you make a well-informed decision. They kinda act like therapists in these kinds of situations.
If you're feeling stuck or want to escape your current situation, consider seeking professional advice from a career coach or a peer mentor. They can provide unbiased insights and help you make a well-informed decision. They kinda act like therapists in these kinds of situations.
Test The Waters If You Can
Your life schedule is almost always filled. From the Monday to Friday grind of work and the packed weekends filled with chores, errands and family obligations, there’s not much time for anything else. However, if you can and it’s feasible, try testing the waters of the other industry you’re thinking about.
Consider taking on freelance or volunteer projects in your potential industries to get a feel for the work. This will give you hands-on experience and help you determine if it's something you would enjoy long-term. Plus, it’s a fantastic resume builder that can help you get considered by recruiters who are looking to fill open positions.
This is a great way to validate your thoughts. It will either be everything you expected and want or it could be something that you totally can’t stand. Remember, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. You may end up hating your new job and scrambling to get back to your former job and/or industry.
Consider taking on freelance or volunteer projects in your potential industries to get a feel for the work. This will give you hands-on experience and help you determine if it's something you would enjoy long-term. Plus, it’s a fantastic resume builder that can help you get considered by recruiters who are looking to fill open positions.
This is a great way to validate your thoughts. It will either be everything you expected and want or it could be something that you totally can’t stand. Remember, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. You may end up hating your new job and scrambling to get back to your former job and/or industry.
Trust Your Gut
Sometimes, despite all the research and advice, your gut feeling can be the most reliable indicator. Think of all the times in your past when you just had that gut feeling about something - like when that backstabber at work was trying to throw you under the bus. In most cases, your gut was right.
If something feels off, listen to your intuition. It just might save your ass. On the other hand, if something excites you, don't be afraid to take a calculated and planned leap of faith. Just remember that it’s not always guaranteed to be a successful outcome but the odds are definitely more in your favor than not.
If something feels off, listen to your intuition. It just might save your ass. On the other hand, if something excites you, don't be afraid to take a calculated and planned leap of faith. Just remember that it’s not always guaranteed to be a successful outcome but the odds are definitely more in your favor than not.
Take Care Of Yourself
Lastly, you can’t forget to take care of yourself during these complicated times. Life has a way of throwing curveballs and surprises all the time. This can often lead to constant anxiety and worry about what the future holds for you. This isn’t good for your mental health.
You gotta unwind your mind so that you can relax, recover and prepare for the next day. Be sure to take mini one-minute meditations between tasks throughout the day. Or at the very least, get in the routine of doing one of these five must-do midday habits to unplug and recharge. Any of these methods is an effective way to scrub off the daily build-up of stress.
You gotta unwind your mind so that you can relax, recover and prepare for the next day. Be sure to take mini one-minute meditations between tasks throughout the day. Or at the very least, get in the routine of doing one of these five must-do midday habits to unplug and recharge. Any of these methods is an effective way to scrub off the daily build-up of stress.
Make The Right Change For The Right Reasons
Making a change in your professional life can be both exciting and overwhelming. You may feel torn about what you should do for the next chapter in your career. This is normal. Lots of people go through this.
Life is too damn short to stay in a shitty job or career that doesn't fulfill you. So get in the zone, do the homework and weigh your options carefully.
Don’t take any chances. You don’t want to fuck this up and put yourself in a worse situation. You gotta do the grunt work and plan things out. This will increase your chances of making the right move in the right direction and for the right reasons.
And lastly, it’s important to manage work stress and not get yourself all stressed out about your current situation. Things will play out in their due course. Don’t overly force things but do keep the momentum going when things start to slow down or stall.
Whatever happens, just know that the universe has a weird way of working things out. It always does. It may not seem obvious when it happens or when you’re going through it. However, years from now, when you look back at this stage of your life, you’ll see why things worked out the way they did and that it was meant to be.
Feel Better,
[Cubicle|Therapy]
Life is too damn short to stay in a shitty job or career that doesn't fulfill you. So get in the zone, do the homework and weigh your options carefully.
Don’t take any chances. You don’t want to fuck this up and put yourself in a worse situation. You gotta do the grunt work and plan things out. This will increase your chances of making the right move in the right direction and for the right reasons.
And lastly, it’s important to manage work stress and not get yourself all stressed out about your current situation. Things will play out in their due course. Don’t overly force things but do keep the momentum going when things start to slow down or stall.
Whatever happens, just know that the universe has a weird way of working things out. It always does. It may not seem obvious when it happens or when you’re going through it. However, years from now, when you look back at this stage of your life, you’ll see why things worked out the way they did and that it was meant to be.
Feel Better,
[Cubicle|Therapy]