Rethinking Your Career

Rethinking Your Career

Has working from home caused you to gain a new perspective on your career path? While there may be a few extra obstacles to navigate if you want to change jobs during the pandemic, the shifting business landscape has also created new opportunities. But before you take any steps, make sure you’re clear on your personal, professional, and financial goals.

Answering these four questions will help you determine how a career change could impact your life.

1. Why? Why? And … Why?

Easy answers rarely address core problems. One way to dig a little deeper and arrive at a more proactive solution is to keep asking yourself, “Why?” For example:

• “Why are you rethinking your career?” “Because I don’t like my job.”
• “Why don’t you like your job?” “Because I can’t do what I’m best at.”
• “Why can’t you do what you’re best at?” “Because I should be working in a completely different role.”

Without doing some self-reflection, you might have started applying for similar jobs at different companies that would have left you similarly unfulfilled. Now that you realize you want to use your top skills more, you have more options. Maybe it’s time to apply for a dream job at a new firm. Maybe you can talk to your supervisor about a different position at your current employer. Or, maybe you’re ready to start your own company where you can create the role you desire.

2. What do I need to improve?

You’ve probably picked up some valuable new skills during lockdown. Take a moment to assess other professional skills that could help you achieve a career change. Have you enjoyed providing  back-up tech support during your company’s digital pivot? Take web design or IT security classes. Would you like to focus on marketing now that so many companies are trying to reintroduce themselves to customers online? Get SEO certification or start a blog or newsletter that will sharpen your writing skills. Once you know what you want to do and assess your current skillset, you can start taking the steps toward your future.

3. What will the short and long-term effects be?

Weighing the financial positives and negatives of a career change can get tricky once you move beyond salaries and start comparing benefits packages. But the pandemic environment has created a whole other group of factors for you to consider. Will you be able to work from home or will you have to work from a socially distanced office? Will your hours be flexible? Can you accomplish key tasks within your current home office setup? Will you need to invest in new technology, or even a larger home with a dedicated office?

Your “whys” should also be part of this thought process. For example, you might be willing to make a horizontal job move to fulfill a career goal or to make a bigger impact on your community.

4. Who can help me get where I want to go?

Lockdowns and social distancing may have interrupted your ability to network. Re-establish those key connections with a video chat, an invitation to your company’s next virtual event, or a good old-fashioned phone call or email. Getting some new perspectives on what’s going on in your industry (or a new one) can provide vital intel that will help you determine your next move. You’ll also be top  of mind if your contacts hear about any interesting job openings.

A loved one like your spouse, partner or best friend might be your most critical resource as you contemplate this change. No one knows you better, and no one can provide better feedback as you work through the questions on this list.

Finally, consider speaking with a professional coach. Our team offers many services that can help you navigate this important transition. Make an appointment and we’ll crunch some numbers, re-examine your financial plan, and discuss the impacts of taking that next step.  

Information in this article is from sources believed to be reliable; however, we cannot represent that it is accurate or complete.  It is provided as a general source of information and should not be considered personal investment advice or solicitation to buy or sell securities.  The views are those of the author, Mark Shimkovitz, and not necessarily those of Raymond James Ltd.  Investors considering any investment should consult with their Investment Advisor to ensure that it is suitable for the investor’s circumstances and risk tolerance before making any investment decision.  Raymond James Ltd. is a Member - Canadian Investor Protection Fund.