As the year draws to a close, now is the perfect time to think about where you want to take your career over the next 12 months and beyond. If you’re currently working in a job you’re not finding rewarding (financially or mentally), fulfilling, challenging or just plain interesting, you can start planning ways to make a change.
However, millions of people all around the globe end up staying in a job they don’t like because there are many things holding them back. It can seem too daunting to make a change, or even too risky. These limitations can regularly just be in the mind though, rather than a reality. If you’re putting off a career change right now, read on for some of the key reasons that might be holding you back, and how you can take steps to do something differently in the coming year.
Worrying about Money
Financial worries tend to be first on the list of the most common reasons people put off looking for a new type of job. After all, it can be daunting wondering how to afford to make a change when your family and lifestyle depend on your income, especially when it is likely that you may have to retrain first, and then work your way up from a lower position in your new industry.
There are things you can do, though, to handle this concern and still move forward. If you have money worries, start by researching the new job you’d love to get, and find out exactly how much you’re likely to be paid in the position. Oftentimes it will end up being a higher figure than you expected.
Something else to look into is whether or not your current employer is willing to pay for all or some of the training you need to do to switch roles. They might be looking for someone to take on a role in a different area, and love the idea of retaining one of their best staff members who already happens to understand how the company works and the products or services it sells.
Another option is to keep working part-time in your current position while you complete your studies or begin to work in the different industry. This will allow you to still keep some money coming in while you make the change. In addition, if you put a strict budget in place for 12 months or so and stick to it, you can quite comfortably save up the money you need to transition over to a new career, without having to put yourself in a precarious financial position.
Lack of Confidence
A lack of confidence is another common feeling that holds people back from a career change. Many people stay in jobs they don’t like because they worry they don’t have the necessary knowledge, skills, intellect, social nous, personal traits, network, looks or other factor to make a go of it in their preferred area of work.
If you’re feeling like this, don’t just put your dreams on hold. There are steps you can take to increase your self-esteem to the point where you have enough confidence to go after the job you really want. For example, you can be proactive and find a mentor to teach you; do some volunteer work to build up experience; do some networking online (e.g. via social media sites) or in person to develop your number of contacts; join a Toastmasters group or take public-speaking training; get help with your presentation by hiring a stylist or getting a new haircut and/or color; join a gym; or see a counselor who can help you build your confidence and come up with strategies to deal with a fear of failure or the fear of the unknown.
Alternatively, if your low career self-esteem stems from applying for many jobs over the years but never progressing onto interview stage or making it further, you might simply need to utilize a resume writer or interview coach. They can assist you with your resume and cover letter, as well as prepare you for likely interview questions.
Not Being Qualified
Lastly, you might simply not be currently qualified for the type of role you’d like to work in. If this is the case, remind yourself that it’s easier than ever these days to complete training that will provide you with the qualification you need to succeed.
Online learning is booming, and there are many options you can choose from that will enable you to fit your studies in around your current job or your family commitments. Online education is also perfect if you need to get a qualification in a topic that isn’t yet addressed by a local education facility.
For example, if you’d like to get into a management role or start your own business, you can find AACSB-accredited online MBA programs online, as well as specific training on topics such as leadership, e-commerce, sales, marketing, accounting, and much more.
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