Before making a career change, reflect on what鈥檚 missing, what you truly want, and how your past … More experiences can guide your next step.
Thinking about making a career change? You鈥檙e not the only one. A study by Glassdoor revealed that around half of U.S. workers are considering it, and nearly 6 in 10 are already on the hunt for something new.
Making a smart career move takes more than just a hunch. It calls for honest reflection, focused thinking, and a little planning. When work gets hard or something shiny pops up, it鈥檚 easy to feel tempted to jump ship. But how do you know if a career change is really the right call, or just a distraction? Start by asking yourself these five questions.
Am I Happy With My Current Career?
Pause and look at what you’re doing now. Is your current role taking you in a direction you’re actually interested in? If you鈥檙e even considering a career change, the answer is probably no, which is something worth looking into.
Let鈥檚 be real: work isn鈥檛 always rainbows and perfectly brewed coffee. But considering we spend about 90,000 hours (yep, about a third of our lives) at work, it better count for something. That鈥檚 exactly why your job should make you happy. You deserve to feel respected, challenged, and paid fairly. If those things are consistently missing, it might be time to consider a change.
That said, if you鈥檙e generally happy with your job, and while not every single day is perfect, you feel engaged and valued most of the time, it might be worth sticking around. Job satisfaction can鈥檛 be bought, and more money won鈥檛 magically make you enjoy a job you already can鈥檛 stand.
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What Do I Not Want In My Next Role?
Sometimes, it helps to start with what you don鈥檛 want. Think back to the roles, tasks, or work environments that left you feeling tired or uninspired. Knowing your deal-breakers can help you narrow things down when exploring your next move.
Your career affects more than your schedule. It touches your physical, mental, and emotional health, too. When you’re in the wrong role, it takes a toll. According to a 2022 Gallup poll, 19% of employees are miserable at work, and 60% feel emotionally detached. It’s easy to settle into a job that isn鈥檛 right for you without realizing it.
So take a moment to be honest with yourself. If you’re thinking about a career change, dig into what didn鈥檛 feel right in your last role or industry. Was it the type of work you were doing, the pace, the values, or how success was defined? The clearer you are about what to avoid, the easier it becomes to move toward something better.
What Do I Actually Want To Do?
Now鈥檚 the time to look around. What industries or roles naturally draw your attention? What kind of work feels aligned with your values or just sparks your curiosity? Follow that interest.
If it鈥檚 not just your job but the nature of the work itself that feels draining, then the question runs deeper: What sort of work feels meaningful to you? And how close are you to that right now? Consider your life goals, because changing careers often comes with a shift in lifestyle too: how you spend your time, who you surround yourself with, what types of problems you want to solve, and what kind of workday actually feels meaningful to you.
Friends, family, and coworkers will likely have opinions. And while it鈥檚 fine to listen, remember that no one knows what feels right for you better than you do. Once you’re clear on what you鈥檙e good at and what areas you鈥檇 like to grow in, the next step becomes a lot easier to figure out.
What Past Skills, Experiences, Or Projects Have I Genuinely Enjoyed?
Think back on your work. Jot down the moments that made you feel proud, energized, or even just genuinely satisfied. What were you doing, and why did it feel meaningful? These moments reveal the kind of work that feels rewarding, the skills you enjoy using, and the values that matter to you. They also point to the environments where you thrive: whether that鈥檚 fast-paced, collaborative, creative, or something else entirely.
Your career interests go beyond just tasks. They also cover how you like to work, who you work with, and what type of challenges keep you engaged. When you understand these preferences, it鈥檚 easier to make clear, confident decisions about your next move. And since interests shift over time, it鈥檚 a good idea to check in with yourself regularly. You might rediscover something you鈥檝e been putting off or uncover a direction you hadn鈥檛 considered before.
Who Can I Talk To For Support And Insight?
You don鈥檛 have to figure this out alone. Start reaching out to people in roles that interest you. Ask what their day-to-day looks like, what they enjoy most, what鈥檚 challenging, and what advice they鈥檇 give to someone exploring a similar path.
Having someone to lean on makes a career change feel a lot less overwhelming. Whether you’re sharing ideas, facing fears, or learning what鈥檚 possible, connection plays a big role in moving forward.
There will be moments when doubt creeps in. That鈥檚 normal. But having a support system can make all the difference. It could be a trusted colleague, a mentor, a friend, or someone new you meet along the way. Most likely, someone in your circle is ready to help鈥攜ou just need to ask.
Remember: finding the right path isn鈥檛 about chasing the 鈥減erfect鈥 job. It鈥檚 about building a career that reflects your strengths, values, and the kind of life you want to lead. Keep checking in with yourself, stay curious, and don鈥檛 be afraid to pivot. You鈥檝e got this!
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