Top 10 Reasons You Know It Is Time For A Career Change

Did you know that the average American will change jobs and/or careers up to ten times over the course of their lifetime? While this statistic might surprise you at first, when you stop to think about it for a moment it really begins to makes sense. The biggest question most people face, though, is knowing when the time is right for making a career change.

Here are the top ten reasons you know it is time for a career change:

1. You feel burned out. Getting up to go to work each day has become more than just a chore, and you’re finding it extremely difficult to generate the motivation and enthusiasm you need to do your job well.

2. You feel unfulfilled. Most people want to feel as if they’re making career counselor a difference in the world around them each day; if you don’t feel this way about your career, it may be time for a change.

3. You don’t fit in with your peers. This can show up as differences in work values, temperament, ethics, or even discomfort during conversations with others in your work environment.

4. Your work is no longer challenging. Perhaps you’ve become bored with what you’re doing, or the tasks that are part of your job simply don’t challenge or excite you anymore.

5. Your passion lies elsewhere. Many people think their life’s passions and their career have to be two different things, but that’s not necessarily the case. Where does your passion lie, and what opportunities does that create for a rewarding and fulfilling career?

6. You are having physical symptoms and illnesses. Common physical signs that it’s time to change careers include ulcers, upset stomach, difficulty sleeping at night, sleepiness during the day, headaches, body aches, and frequent minor illnesses.

7. You don’t have as much time with your family as you would like. There are plenty of reasons why you might occasionally have to put work first and family second, but when it becomes a regular thing that’s a problem. If you are consistently spending long hours at work and putting in extra time on the weekends, it may be time to consider a different career.

8. You feel out of balance. This is a somewhat difficult one to define; most people will tell you they just “know it” when their life is out of balance in some way even if they can’t say specifically what it is that’s not quite right. Feeling out of balance usually shows up as stress, physical discomfort, emotional discomfort, or simply never having enough time to do the things you really love.

9. You’ve been laid off from your job. In this tough economy layoffs are extremely common, and although it’s painful and scary to be laid off for many people it’s just the opportunity they’ve needed to re-examine their career choice and make the change to something different. Working with an outplacement or career counselor can be a real help during this process.

10. Your current field is no longer in demand. Times change, economies change, and the demand for different career fields can change as well. Do some research into the outlook for your particular career to determine if it will continue to be in demand for the coming years; if not, then it’s time to consider a change to a career that is forecast to be in demand.