Defined by a feeling of discontentment, lack of enthusiasm for your profession or awareness that your job leads to nowhere, career ruts happen to most of us. Now that we are likely to work for 40 years or more, they may happen multiple times in our careers. If you know one is coming (or if it has already), what can you do when you are stuck in a rut?
A recent Harris Poll/University of Phoenix survey found that 58 percent of working adults are at least somewhat interested in changing careers. Although the majority of working adults want a change, 81 percent reported they aren’t likely to make a change due to the costs, uncertainty regarding career options or lack of education or experience. That is a whole lot of discontentment with no action.
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Your first rut-busting move is to be one of the 19 percent looking to make a change. Being on autopilot, professionally speaking, is one of the main reasons why work gets stale. Savvy professionals know they must continue to challenge themselves — not wait for an employer to shake things up for them. A commitment to taking action is a great way to start the process.
Next, examine your priorities. How we measure satisfaction and success in work changes over time — but most professionals neglect the process of identifying (or updating) their professional priorities. Maybe your goals are to make good money, receive recognition or to feel like you are the best at what you do. Others may want to work close to home in a role that is not too stressful and has defined lunch hours every day. There is no right or wrong answer, but it is critical that your wish list is realistic. Trying to measure satisfaction against an unrealistic or unobtainable list is a waste of time. It is like being disappointed in Florida because of the lack of snow days.
Now that you have your unique goals, evaluate your current role. You might be surprised to find that it actually lines up better than expected. For some, the perceived rut is just that — a perception that lessens in significance when measured against more realistic expectations. But, if you are ready to make a change, this evaluation can lead to the next step: education.
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Nearly 25 percent of the sample group in the Harris Poll/University of Phoenix survey stated they weren’t likely to make a career change because they simply did not know which career to change to. It can be scary and overwhelming to make a change — but that doesn’t have to paralyze you. Consider this: The average worker will have more than 10 different positions before they retire. Why not have a strategy and proactively plan these transitions? Waiting for a position elimination or a change in required skills to force you into the market is not ideal. Yet, most working professionals do just that — they wait for the market to force change on them.
Educate yourself on the latest trends and options in your career, profession and industry. There are many ways to get this information — attend an industry conference, follow a podcast, read a trade journal or follow influencers on LinkedIn or Twitter. You can even use career development as a reason to grab drinks with other contacts in your profession. At the very least, explore your company’s organizational chart to see what options you have in-house.
Map out the skills and qualifications required to be a competitive candidate for your desired next roles. If you are a 75 percent match already, an updated resume and LinkedIn profile may be all you need to start applying. If you are lacking some key requirements, consider taking a class, seminar or workshop to develop your skills. One of the primary reasons employers are attracted to younger workers is their ease with learning new things. It is not just their technical fluency — it is a comfort to adapting to new processes, feedback and working arrangements
[See: Tips for Surviving a Career Transition.]
This ability requires practice. Continuing education, on any subject, stretches your brain, improves mental flexibility and increases your confidence. Maintaining your ability to learn translates into increased marketability, improved career options and higher salaries. And, accessing new knowledge has never been easier. Whether it is a webinar, an online course or attending a seminar at a local community college, you can update your skills more easily than ever before.
In short, whether you are in a rut or soon to face one, commit to being your own agent of change. Challenge yourself to learn what paths and options are around you and then act. The more experienced a professional, the longer it takes to land a new role. Like pursing a four-year degree, career development takes time — so plan appropriately. If broken into smaller steps, the benefits of taking a proactive approach can make a significant impact immediately and for the long term.
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Stuck in a Career Rut? Here’s How to Make Your Next Move originally appeared on usnews.com
