W. C.
What is the toughest part in changing a job?
hi! I want to know about what hinder you in changing your profession into a new one? Do you change your job just because of your own preference or high salary? What is the greatest challenge when changing a new job/new profession? #job #financial-planning
9 answers
Charlie Forbes
Charlie’s Answer
Changing a job is all about the first word. Change. Change is hard for many. To pickup and many times and leave a sure thing for something you hope is better. Reasons why to change?
Money - money is no doubt important. But don't pick a job for what it pays. Pick it because you love it and would do it for free if you could. Doing it for the money can lead to you feeling empty inside. The caveat to this though is the long term goal. Let's say your long term goal was to go sail the world. Well that takes money, so working a very lucrative job like a dog for a few years so you can enjoy your later years maybe worthwhile.
Location - many change jobs because they want to work up to working someplace specific. Perhaps that's being at the top of the field in New York or LA, or just enjoying the perks certain areas offer.
Advancement- many are set on becoming the best at what they do or reaching some goal. This many times means working someplace for a year or two and then moving up to somewhere else where they have new challenges and opportunities to learn more skills, and gain more experience.
Necessity- sometimes people change out of necessity. Perhaps they were downsized. Maybe their parent(s) need care and they move closer to home. Perhaps to be closer to kids?
The reasons can vary for many. My advice is to never change into a job that pays less. Never intentionally go unemployed to find another job. Always be willing to accept new responsibilities and go into jobs where you can expand your skill sets. This is where opportunity lies. Just because it might pay well, don't sell your integrity or do something solely for the money. Work because you love it. If you love it, you will have passion for it. Passion breeds excellence. Excellence brings rewards from your customers and your peers.
Michael Reyes
Michael’s Answer
This is a tough question to answer since the reason to change jobs vary so much. If it's just changing jobs, but you are basically doing the same type of work, I would say it isn't as difficult as changing professions all together. Changing jobs requires experience and developing skills. People typically work for a few years before switching companies to a new job, but doing the same type of tasks. Usually this is for career progression to take on a larger role, potentially to become a manager, or for higher salary.
If you are planning on changing professions, as in doing something entirely new, it tends to be more difficult because no company wants to train someone who has no experience in the particular job. People usually do this because they are unhappy with what they do currently, looking for more career progression, they want more challenge, or they want a better salary.
In either case, changing your job or your profession is difficult because you already established yourself with your current company. Entering into a new company requires that you learn how they do things, adjusting to company culture, knowing where boundaries are and how to deal with new managers, etc. It might also mean that you have to move to different cities, which can add on stress. However, making the change is, of course, up to the person. They need to decide on whether the new job or profession is worth the adjustments in the first place and if she or he is willing to put in the effort to succeed at the new job.
Andria Frederickson
Andria’s Answer
I think change is hard for people in general and when you go from a job you know and like to a job of unknown is a huge challenge. I have changed jobs many times within the same company. mainly for career advancement and that has always meant more money. I think the hardest part is going to a job your super excited about because you just got a big raise but then you get into the job and you dont like it and you feel your not cut out for it. now how do you move to something else that will make you happier, pay cut? Or be miserable? I think asking a lot of questions about the new position and finding out as much as you can about it before jumping in is the best. Ask to job shadow wiht someone in the position and see what they do. this will help you make a good decision on moving forward or going a different direction.
Ed Prieto MBA
Ed’s Answer
Ed recommends the following next steps:
Adam Pridgen
Adam’s Answer
When changing professions having outlined goals and a game plan is imperative as it's an even bigger leap into the unknown. However, there are always applicable skills learned in a current setting that can be used in a new arena. Many people give up their standard 9-5's to start a business or switch from corporate roles into academia as teachers/professors. There isn't a distinct right path to take in changing professions but it takes more preparation, planning, and confidence in yourself to make the switch effectively as possible. We're all habitual creatures and it is hard to step outside the box but staying invigorated and excited about our career growth takes some gymnastics more often than not.
Here are some tips to assessing when to entertain other opportunities outside of circumstances like family related moves, downsizing/layoffs, etc.
1) Organization structure not aligned with personal career goals
2) Toxic work culture (usually stemming from bad managers/management/hostile environment)
3) Disjointed work flows/expectations that stifle project progress
4) Lack of role progression or advancement to higher ranks after certain tenure/achievements
5) Feeling bored or unchallenged by tasks and responsibilities
6) Lack of emphasis on skill development
7) Lack of transparency, vision, mission, plans with company goals. Feeling like you don't matter.
8) Lack of autonomy and independence
9) Lack of recognition of efforts, achievements, application success, etc.
Rebecca Tang
Rebecca’s Answer
When you are young and before having a family, I would encourage you to find out what you really interested on and the career you would like to pursue. There may be failure or it is not really something you want to do. But, you have the time and does not any financial burden to hinder you from making the change.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
Angela M. Janko, PMP, CSM, RTE
Angela M.’s Answer
1. Talk with your manager and let them know you would like to grow more in your current role, grow more in a new role within the same team or grow more outside of your team but within the same company.
2. There it appears there are not any new growth opportunities, see if you can "re-create" your current job/role by adding some new project or initiative which will showcase your strengths, especially in the areas you are interested in.
3. Make sure to keep an active network (LinkedIn is a good initial space to try) and keep up to date on current job openings, salaries so you get an understanding of what the market is like.
4. Take online classes - there are a lot of free ones - in the area you are interested in.
5. Keep your resume updated at least 2x/year. Interview at least 2x/year.
6. Get a new role before you leave your old role, and
7. Last but not least, it's just as important how you leave your job as how you start one!
Good luck and go get it!!!!
Sylvia Patalano Stenson
Sylvia’s Answer
I have found the hardest part in changing any job is that in doing so you sometimes leave your comfort zone, the people you have worked with for possibly a long time and charting new territory. This can be daunting to most people and is why they settle and remain in jobs that do not satisfy them.
I would dig deep and do a cost-benefit analysis of what you love about the job you are in, what you dont like about your job and whether changing a career would satisfy you more.
Money is obviously a factor. But that should not be the deciding factor. As you experience more and more in life you may find that job satifaction and liking/loving what you do is far more important than money. I have taken lower salaries to do pursue jobs that satisfy me more. And that shoukd really be your ultimate goal. Because I know many unhappy people and its mainly from lack of personal satifaction but the pursuit of money.
Don OHair