Here's how you can recognize when it's time for a career change.

As a career education professional, I have coached thousands of students, young and mid-career professionals. The thing that makes me most intrigued is when people ask questions about changing careers or majors. The common advice is to change if you’re not feeling passionate or not doing well. But I believe that offers simple answer without context. If you’re asking the question you probably are in need of a change. However, if you have not started asking but discontent is present that’s worth exploring. Passion is a weak indicator alone anyone can lose passion. But it doesn’t mean that you’re in need of a career change. Before you decide to move get a professional coach who can help you unpack your thoughts and feelings objectively.

One interesting piece of research on career decisions is the kaleidoscope career model based on data from over 3,000 people in the US. The research found 3 main themes on how people make career decisions, with the weighting of importance shifting between the desire for a challenge, balance or greater authenticity at work. Getting deep on which of the Kaleidoscope factors are most important for you now, can take you to the heart of the matter. Challenge: Will I be sufficiently challenged if I take this role? Balance: If I make this career decision, can I balance the other parts of my life? Authenticity: If I make this career decision, can I be my authentic self? Does this job opportunity or company line up with my true beliefs and values.

I simplified the model… I’ve always approached my career as a three-legged stool. Leg 1: Am I challenged?(Drive) Leg 2: Am I learning? (Curiosity) Leg 3: Am I being compensated fairly for my work/effort? (Comp) 3 legs - 3 yeses, Happy! Any 2 legs - 2 yeses, I’m okay. No need to panic, but be vigilant. 1 leg remaining, or one yes, it’s time to move on.

No room for development....... I do not believe that exists, there is always room and sometimes learning something completely different to what we do today, can help us decide the next journey we take. Sometimes, we can stay in a current role and learn something else, not related to that role, which could bring you to next role, also maybe within the same company. I also believe that doing a side step can support future growth, so sometimes we should look for more experience in the same thing, rather than the next step up. Taking a career coach can help you reflect on your strengths and what you need to improve, which could help you understand what you should develop next and how.

✅ Some key signs that suggest it might be time for a career switch include: ✅ Losing interest ✅ Tasks that previously were easy become mundane ✅ Lack of fulfillment ✅ Feeling trapped with limited room for advancement ✅ A toxic work environment that causes stress ✅ Your personal values no longer match those of the organization ✅ Experiencing negative effects on your physical or mental health due to a stressful workplace ✅ These indicators underscore the significance of discovering passion, purpose, alignment, growth, and well-being in one’s profession, for lasting career contentment.

If you get the S'Monday feelings that are beginning earlier and earlier on a Sunday then it's time to consider a change. If you're feeling uninspired and disconnected - ask yourself 'Why?' with each answer go deeper. So you're not feeling fulfilled? 'Why?'. Because you don't get feedback? 'Why?' Because you have a new boss that you haven't connected with. 'Why?' Because you don't want to be a burden. Keep asking 'WHY?' until you get clarity. Maybe it's unfulfilled passion and time for change or maybe it's time for you to change something?

¿Te sientes abrumado por la idea del lunes? ¿Tu trabajo actual ya no te apasiona ni te motiva? ¡Estas son señales claras de que necesitas un cambio! Un trabajo que te desmoraliza y no te permite crecer profesionalmente puede afectar negativamente tu salud mental y bienestar general. Es hora de escuchar a tu intuición y tomar las riendas de tu futuro.

Sentir paixão pelo o que fazemos é essencial para continuarmos motivados. Mas assim como em longas relações, muitas vezes nossa motivação no trabalho sofre altos e baixos. Nos momentos de alta, identifique o que te gera prazer no trabalho. São os novos desafios? É o sentimento de ser útil? É perceber que o trabalho está alinhados com o seu propósito e valores? É a autonomia que a empresa te dá para fazer as coisas do seu jeito? Nos momentos de baixa, reflita o que está faltando e se é possível redirecionar a sua forma de atuação na empresa. Se não, pode ser o momento de mudar. Para entender o que desperta sua paixão no trabalho, o mais importante é se conhecer!

If you are no longer passionate about what you do, think about the "why's" and there could be many, and then reflect and start the change process. Its not always easy, we all have responsibilities, but Rome wasn't built in a day, step by step, in manageable bite size pieces. Life is too short to be unhappy!

Work life balance is not only need, it is a necessity. A career that consistently demands your time and attention robs you out of your personal life. There are few indicators that work life balance is missing - Long working hours, last minute meetings, frequent overtimes, work spilling over weekends, multiple adhoc requests, absence of backup resource. If work dominates your daily schedule, talk to your manager and check if adjustments can be made. Setting boundaries, delegating tasks, and prioritizing self-care can be helpful. However, if it is the company culture and it's impacting your well-being, it may be time to consider career options that offer better alignment, and can lead to a more fulfilling and sustainable professional life.

Por mais que o trabalho seja o que trás o dinheiro para o nosso sustento, ele não é o único pilar da nossa vida, existem outros pilares que sustentam a vida como um todo. Se não estivermos insatisfeitos ou infelizes com o que fazemos no trabalho, podemos adoecer e isso com certeza impactará todo o resto. Algo que considero essencial é balancear e avaliar como estamos nos outros pilares da vida (saúde, família, hobbies, espiritualidade, psicológico) e nos questionarmos o que é mais importante para nós?, o que nos sustenta quando o trabalho não vai bem?.

A falta de equilíbrio entre a vida pessoal e profissional impacta diretamente a nossa saúde mental. O Brasil tem o 3º pior índice de saúde mental e é considerado o país mais ansioso do mundo de acordo com a Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS). Não é uma surpresa que o burnout passou a ser reconhecido pela OMS em 2022 como uma doença ocupacional. Essa condição, que leva os profissionais a um esgotamento físico e mental em função de condições desgastantes de trabalho, poderia ser facilmente evitada com investimento por parte da empresa para garantir este equilíbrio. Auxiliar os colaboradores a lidar com as pressões do dia a dia, oferecer suporte psicológico e incentivar a atividade física, são algumas formas de contribuir com essa causa.

Recognising work-life imbalance is crucial for maintaining overall well-being and productivity. Signs include consistently working long hours, feeling constantly stressed or overwhelmed, and neglecting personal relationships or hobbies. If work consistently dominates your time and energy, impacting your health and happiness, it may be time to reassess priorities and make adjustments. Setting boundaries, delegating tasks, and prioritising self-care are essential steps to regain balance. Evaluating whether your current job supports a healthy work-life integration or considering career options that offer better alignment can lead to a more fulfilling and sustainable professional life.

Work-Life Balance, so important, especially if you are working for a company that doesn't give you the good balance. No job is worth sacrificing your well-being, however there could be ways to increase productivity, while at the same time reducing your working time, sometimes taking a coach / or an external person to work with you, can help you to see things in a different perspective and add some reflections that you hadn't thought about.

In technology things are always changing and understanding the direction that your particular domain is going is important. If your role is being driven by a particular regulatory outcome, then once it has been achieved you will not be needed so planning your next step is important. Changing roles every 2-3 years will enable you to keep current and keep you fresh and interested. But there is always a demand for engineers for older technologies and it can be very lucrative, but time bound saying that i saw a role for a COBOL engineer a couple of weeks ago.

Como mentora de carreira, eu vejo constantemente em minha atuação, profissionais buscando entrar em mercados de trabalho que estejam aquecidos ou que vão garantir que eles tenham uma carreira com longevidade. A habilidade de adaptação e de aprender novas competências em um mindset de crescimento entre em jogo como um forte aliado nesse cenário! Muitas empresas oferecem cursos até mesmo gratuitos para formação de novos talentos em mercados emergentes, como é o caso da área de dados, por exemplo. Então se a sua carreira anda estagnada, pode ser a hora de olhar para o mercado.

Trabajar solo por un sueldo puede ser desalentador y poco inspirador a largo plazo. Encontrar una carrera que se alinee con tus valores y te permita tener un impacto positivo puede ser la clave para la realización profesional. Aquí te dejo algunas ideas para empezar: Identifica las causas que te apasionan: ¿Qué problemas te gustaría ayudar a resolver? ¿Qué te motiva a actuar? Investiga organizaciones y empresas que trabajan en esas áreas: Busca oportunidades para contribuir con tus habilidades y experiencia. Explora diferentes roles y sectores: ¡Hay muchas posibilidades por descubrir! Desarrolla las habilidades necesarias: Toma cursos, asiste a talleres o realiza voluntariado para adquirir nuevas competencias.

As a college student, if you're feeling the urge to make a more meaningful impact in your career, it might be time to consider shifting your focus. Feeling like just another face in the crowd can be discouraging and uninspiring. I highly recommend looking for opportunities that align with your desire to contribute in a significant way. Pursuing a career where you can make a positive difference can reignite your passion and give you a greater sense of achievement and satisfaction.

Procurar um impacto significativo no trabalho pode ser um indicativo de que uma mudança de carreira é necessária. Sentir-se apenas como mais uma peça na associação corporativa pode minar a motivação e a criatividade. Em vez de se acomodar, é essencial explorar oportunidades que estejam em sintonia com o seu desejo de contribuir de forma relevante e positiva. Uma carreira que valoriza e permite esse tipo de contribuição não só eleva o sentido de realização pessoal, mas também pode levar a um engajamento mais profundo e a uma satisfação que transcende o aspecto financeiro, beneficiando tanto o indivíduo quanto a sociedade.

Financial motivation refers to the drive and incentive individuals have to achieve their goals, often tied to financial rewards or incentives. It plays a significant role in influencing behaviours, productivity, and decision-making in the workplace. Employees motivated by financial factors may strive for higher salaries, bonuses, or commissions, viewing these rewards as recognition for their efforts. For entrepreneurs, financial motivation can be linked to business profitability and achieving financial independence. However, while financial incentives are important, intrinsic motivations such as job satisfaction, personal growth, and a sense of purpose also play a crucial role in sustaining long-term motivation and engagement.

Experiencing a misalignment between your personal values and your work environment can be a significant indicator that it's time for a career change. This misalignment occurs when your core beliefs and ethical standards conflict with those of your workplace, leading to discomfort, stress, and dissatisfaction. Examples include valuing work-life balance but facing constant demands, or prioritizing ethical behavior while being expected to engage in deceptive practices. Recognizing and addressing this misalignment is crucial for long-term career fulfillment and overall well-being.

We spend so much time at work, we owe it to ourselves to ensure its work we love to do and we are generally happy to do it most fo the tome (we all have off days!) If you are dreading work, or feel bored or feeling anything other than pleased to be working, then really sitting down and reflecting on what is making you feel like that is super helful.. as yourself 'why am i feeling like that?' and keep asking 'why' until you have no answers left. that will give you the reasons for change.