Getting the best career path or job for you can be difficult at times. You need to explore and experiment for it.
And for this you need to be good at understanding whether your current job or career path is wrong for you, as soon as you can!
Think carefully. It is super difficult to come up with a fixed timeline or formula for this. Frankly, It depends on you! You are the best judge of it.
Just the meaning of the word “long” can be different for different individuals! For some of us its a matter of days and for others it can be a matter of years.
So, in other words, what you are trying to find is – How soon can I understand that my current job or career path is wrong? If you think this through, you will need to consider various factors and conditions as you dig deeper.
Major decisions like changing careers or jobs can be complex. They involve significant emotional, financial, and logistical considerations. You cannot take them lightly.
You will need to carefully consider your career aspirations as well as the potential outcomes of such a decision.
You are thinking about it now because you’re feeling unsure about your current occupation. Something just doesn’t feel right. There must be a few things that are making you stick to it. And then there are situations that are making you uncomfortable.
Let us see how we can go about uncovering your concern here …
6 Factors to consider when thinking about how long to stick with a career or job
All of these parameters are of different importance to different individuals. But each one of them is important when you are thinking of your time left in current job or career.
1. Personal Goals are a starting point
Consider your short-term and long-term goals, both personally and professionally. In fact, this is why interviewers ask you, “What are your career goals?“
Ask yourself –
Are you making progress toward these goals in your current career or lifestyle? If not, how long do you think it will take to make the progress you want?
If you feel that you’re not making progress toward your personal or professional goals after a reasonable amount of time, such as a year or two, it may be time to reassess your career or lifestyle path.
2. Learning Curve is an important factor
One of the key reasons you choose any career path or job is to bring more learning and experience into your life.
So ask –
Do you see any room for growth and development in your current career or job?
It’s important to give yourself enough time to learn and grow in any field. But if you feel like you’ve hit a plateau and there’s no room for further growth, it might be time to consider a change.
Depending on the complexity of the field, it can take several months to several years to master the skills and knowledge required to succeed in a job or career.
So, as a thumb rule, you want to first access the time you have already spent in your job or career path. And then carefully measure your growth in it.
3. Your Passion Matters
The engine of your growth in your job or career is your natural passion or your areas of interest!
Ideally, even before taking up any job, it is good to ask yourself, “What are my strengths?“. Then consider your hobbies. They give you some insights about what drives you. Your biggest achievements in your career or life are one more important indicator here!
But let’s say, you are past that point and wondering if you want to stick to your current job or career path, ask –
Am I passionate about what I am doing? It’s easier for you to stick with a career or job if you genuinely enjoy it.
Ponder if feel excited about it in general. If you’re feeling bored or unfulfilled, that may be a sign that it’s time to explore other options.
Remember, your level of passion for your work or job can change over time. But if you consistently feel disengaged after a year or more, it may be time to explore other options.
4. Think about Work-Life Balance
Work-life balance means different things to different individuals. The essence of it is simple. You want to ask yourself, “Do I feel that my work as well as my life is getting the right amount of attention that it needs?”
So think –
How well does your current career or job giving enough time for other areas of your life, such as family, friends, and personal interests? It’s important to have a healthy work-life balance to avoid burnout and maintain your overall well-being.
If your work or lifestyle is significantly impacting your overall well-being and you’ve tried to make adjustments to improve the balance without success after several months to a year, it may be time to reassess your path.
Take as much time as you need to think it through. But it should not take more than a few months for you!
5. There are Financial Considerations
One of the biggest reasons for you to take up any job is your financial independence! You want to be able to sustain and enjoy your life the way you want. And the money you earn from your job is the enabler!
So you want to carefully think …
How stable and secure is your current job or career financially?
Can you achieve a good work-life balance and your financial as well as other goals in the long run with your current occupation?
If your current career or job is not meeting your financial needs, it may be time to consider a change. This generally will take a few months to a couple of years max for you to decide.
6. Your Network comes into play
Let’s say, you are almost sure that you want to change your current job or career path. What next?
Generally, for your next job or career move your network comes into play. Because it is there that you can find the opportunities that you can trust. It also can play a big role in your success in your current or next career move.
So think about this …
How strong is your network in your current career or job? How easy or difficult would it be to transition into a new field or endeavor? Your network can be a valuable resource for finding new opportunities.
It can take time to build a strong network that actually works for you!
If you’ve tried to leverage your network to find new opportunities without success after a year or more, it may be time to explore other options.
Can you decide precisely, how long to stick in your current job or career before you know it’s not for you?
Our bet is – Yes! You can come to the almost exact timeline for this.
Think of giving some kind of points for each of the factors mentioned above. Then add them up and calculate the overall score. The lower your score is, the faster you need to move on to your next job or career!
But in general, even if you are just pondering if your current profession or role is right for you, it is a big signal!
Mostly, you will make a move within next 6 months if not an year!
It’s helpful to reflect on your reasons for choosing it in the first place. You also want to think what you hope to gain from it in the future.
It can also be useful to seek advice from trusted friends, family members, or professionals who may be able to offer a different perspective.
It’s important to keep in mind that these parameters are just a starting point, and the decision to stay in or leave a career or lifestyle is a highly personal one that can be influenced by many factors.
Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide what’s right for you and your unique situation.
Preparing for your next job? – Use our “Interview Questions and Answers” section to your advantage!