So you want to change careers? This idea was unheard of and would definitely seem foolhardy a few decades back. Ask your Grandpa or Grandma, and for sure they would tell you the chances of them changing careers back then was almost ridiculous. The older generation takes pride in staying in one job throughout their life because they believed in the importance of loyalty, which was perhaps a mistaken notion.
The landscape has changed. The drive for company loyalty today isn’t as it was in the past. Employees are changing the rules even if their employers still pine for the old days where loyalty and stickability to one job was essential. This may seem cynical, but the digitized age offers a wide array of career opportunities, and it would be downright criminal for you to stay put in one job and get left behind.
A survey from Indeed.com shows what motivates employees to change careers.
What’s not shown in this graph is that nearly 6 in 10 of those surveyed were willing to take a pay cut for a change in scenery.
Yet, there may still be a sting of guilt associated with job shifting. Here are some statistics that should take your guilt away if you so decide to change careers:
- The median age for a person shifting careers is 39.
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that workers stay in one job for about 4.6 years.
- A woman’s peak pay growth is 40 years old; in contrast, a man can still expect a wage increase at 49.
- Nearly 9 in 10 workers surveyed by Indeed.com revealed that they were happier that they made the shift.
Why Do People Shift Careers?
While a higher salary seems to be the overriding reason to find a new job, it’s not the only one. According to the survey, people look to jump ship because they:
- don’t feel valued in their current jobs;
- don’t feel like they are growing professionally;
- don’t see any opportunities to acquire new knowledge and skills;
- believe the environment has become toxic;
- feel targeted by their supervisors or colleagues;
- want more flexibility with their time, including working from home;
- feel that the management is incompetent
- are no longer on board with the company’s philosophy.
One way or the other, you will relate to any of the reasons stated above.
Age is not a factor
Age should not be a factor when changing jobs. In fact, there’s a high demand for seniors right now. For instance, 20% of retirees were asked to return to work due to a shortage of skilled workers. Meanwhile, 34% of seniors who have already retired are considering taking advantage of the hot job market.
Benefits of Changing Jobs
Still wanting to get more motivation to shift careers? Here are some reasons that may compel you:
- Room for improvement — If you feel that you have already hit a wall professionally, it’s time to change. Historically, those who changed jobs are happier after making the big jump. You can find more opportunities to upgrade your skills or advance your career when you move elsewhere. You can also keep pace with innovations, especially since technology today shuffles rapidly. You won’t have that luxury of growing if you are boxed in your current position.
- Peace of mind — As they say, you can’t place a value on happiness. The money might be nice in your current position, but the additional stress from a toxic workplace is not worth it. Even if you are a high-earner, you must consider the associated cost of work-related stress. A 2020 Gallup poll revealed that work-related stress jumped to 43% in 2020 from 38% in 2019. The American Institute of Stress has an even worrying statistic: 14% of workers felt like assaulting their colleagues.
The average person typically spends a third of their life at work. So, if you are unhappy with your current environment, it makes no sense to hold on to it if you have a choice to move elsewhere. No argument for changing jobs is more compelling when you already have violent thoughts against your coworker.
- Broaden your knowledge — Expanding your resume will open new opportunities to earn a higher salary or land your dream job. Working for several companies allows you to acquire new knowledge, experience, and competencies. You can use these newfound abilities to apply for a job that suits your talents and proficiency. Besides, the journey is as enriching as your final destination sometimes.
- Pad your resume — Some say that applying for a job is a lot like your first day at work—you need to make an excellent first impression. However, this may no longer be true today. There’s hardly any secret these days that headhunters cannot dig up online. Even before your first interview, employers would have already seen your CV, social media activities, or any article about you. In addition, having multiple jobs with diverse responsibilities would show that you are willing to learn and thrive in new environments.
- Increase your earning potential — Everyone is anxious about change, especially if they have already established their comfort zones. However, statistics prove that those who changed jobs were able to increase their take-home pay. Therefore, if you are recruited, you are better positioned to bargain for a higher salary than when in your last job. Unfortunately, loyalty does not put food on the table. And you will also find that your employer does not value loyalty as you do since a business’ primary consideration is always profit.
- Greater flexibility — Moving to a new job that offers more flexible work schemes will allow you to invest in your personal life more. Employees are spending most of their waking hours at work. As the pandemic changed the world’s business landscape, people were forced to switch priorities after realizing they had overlooked their families. According to McKinsey, more Americans demand more remote work arrangements after businesses shut down worldwide due to Covid-19. The change to work-from-home arrangements also made people realize that they can be more productive outside the office than being stuck at their desks. If you feel trapped in your small office corner, a change in environment is just what the doctor ordered. You can spend more precious hours with your family and take them on vacations while working on tasks at your own pace.
Changing one’s career has its benefits. Gone are the days when loyalty to one employer was all that mattered. Remove that feeling of guilt when looking for a new job especially if it would result to personal improvement, peace of mind, or better pay. Forget about weighing the pros and cons for a moment and ask yourself this question: Are you happy with your job or not? It seems like an oversimplification, but your decision to move will eventually boil down to this argument.
