8 signs it’s time for a career change
Occupational burnout isn’t a new thing, but it’s been talked about a lot in recent years. In fact, the World Health Organization now recognizes it as a syndrome and calls it an “occupational phenomenon.” Everyone experiences burnout sometimes, but how can you tell if your job dissatisfaction is more than a phase? Read the list to find out.
1. You dread Mondays.
In general, it’s certainly not out of the norm to dislike Mondays. But if you spend a large portion of every Sunday thinking about how you don’t want to go back to work the next morning, something is wrong.
2. You’re disengaged during meetings, in brainstorming sessions, and with new projects.
Have you been finding yourself with nothing to contribute in meetings for your department or team? Do you spend meetings doodling or daydreaming instead of participating in conversations? Take some time to consider why that may be.
3. You haven’t advanced in your job in a while.
If it’s been years since your last promotion, or if your performance reviews haven’t been as positive lately, it may be because your managers have already noticed that you’re not as invested in your job.
4. Or, you don’t want to advance to the next level in your career.
Does the prospect of moving up the ladder in your career make you feel depressed, bored or frustrated? Do you dread the thought of having your boss’ job one day? If so, you may want to reconsider your career path.
5. You’re always counting the minutes until the workday is over.
Do you often find yourself watching the clock, impatiently waiting for the moment you can pack up and go home at the end of your workday? If you’re doing it more days than not, think about why that is. Sometimes a busy after-work schedule can make this a habit, but if you’re seeing this behavior in combination with others on this list, you should consider if there’s a deeper reason.
6. You complain about work—a lot.
If you’ve noticed that people don’t ask you how your job is going as much anymore—or they interject with career advice—that’s probably a sign that something’s amiss. Now, no job is perfect; it’s normal to complain about your job sometimes. But if you never feel like you have anything positive to share about your work, that’s a bad sign.
7. You daydream about quitting or retiring early—or changing your career.
This is a pretty obvious one: if you spend all your time dreaming about a future in which you’ve left your job, then clearly you don’t enjoy what you do.
However, if you’re nearing retirement and making legitimate plans, you probably wouldn’t classify this as a warning sign—you’re simply planning for the next stage of life. But if you’re early- or mid-career and you’re already thinking about a change, you need to take a serious look at your situation and consider the alternatives.
8. You’re tense and stressed out all the time, and it’s taking a toll on your body.
This is the most important one. If your job is the reason you’re developing illnesses, gaining weight, having trouble sleeping, experiencing new or worsening depression or anxiety, or developing unhealthy stress-related habits (think smoking/vaping, stress eating and excessive drinking), you need to make some changes in your career right away. There's nothing more important than your mental and physical health.
If this sounds like you, it’s time to consider a new career.
Not sure where to start? BGS teamed up with the career change experts at Mission Collaborative to develop the Alumni Career Design Program, a 30-day online program just for high-achieving Beta Gamma Sigma members like you! No matter where you are in your career, this new program will give you the clarity and structure you need to find a career that works for your life.