We hope you had a great summer vacation. How do you feel about your career now that you are back? Do you dread going back to work? You may need a career course correction. The conditions of our jobs and industries change as time passes, as well as our values, so it’s only natural that we may find ourselves off of our career trajectory from time to time.
Finding yourself off course doesn’t mean that you are a failure. You simply need to get back on track. Keep in mind that making a course correction doesn’t always have to be dramatic. Sometimes just a small correction at your current job is needed. We help professionals every day with their career course corrections because we truly care. Here are a few ideas that could make all the difference:
Ask for more flex time. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light the importance of work-life balance. Do you feel that you have a healthy work-life balance in your current job? If not, talk to your manager about this issue. We are still on the heels of the Great Resignation, so many employers are still attentive to their employees’ needs. Ask for more flex time or negotiate a day that you can work from home during the week. This slight correction may help you feel better about your current job.
Consider a different position in your current organization. Sometimes a different job description at the same organization is all a professional needs to make a career course correction. Do the values and mission of your current organization resonate with you? Do you enjoy the company culture? If you love everything about the organization you work for except for your job description, perhaps you simply need to shift into a new position. Talk to your superiors about job openings at the organization you work for. You may even be able to negotiate aspects of your current job description to make it more fulfilling for you.
Consider taking the same position at a different organization. If you love your job description but do not feel connected to the organization you work for, taking the same job at a different organization can be the course correction you need to feel excited about your job again. We recommend researching the organizations you are interested in working for. What is their mission statement? What are their values? Can you schedule an informational interview with someone who works there to find out more about the company culture? All of this will go a long way to helping you make a well-informed decision.
If you are worried about a possible recession, start by making changes in your current organization. If that doesn’t work, remember that it’s easier to job search while you have a job. You will be able to make a better decision without feeling the pressure of needing to take whatever you can find to pay the bills.
We are here for you! Find out how we can help you with your career direction. Schedule a free consult today.
