Changing careers is the norm for most people. The older you get, the more you learn about the world and its opportunities available. Perhaps you’ve gotten to the point where you feel like your career is stagnating, or the responsibilities of your job are becoming “too easy” and you’re not feeling challenged enough. This may be a sign you’ve become too comfortable in your job and you’re worried you’re not making use of your full potential.
How often do Australians change jobs?
According to a
media release created by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, it’s been found that
more than 1 million Australians have changed employers or their business within 12 months since February 2018. This is an interesting statistic, considering how
millennials are growing in numbers within the workplace.
So, why do people change jobs? Here are some of the most popular reasons why more people are on the hunt for a new job, according to
Business Insider Australia:
- Better salary: staying in the same job for a couple of years can be a detriment to your career if what you’re after is a good salary. While asking for a pay rise during your yearly performance review may be a key factor in increasing your wage, the best way to earn your desired figure is to switch jobs. When a job offer is made, you will have room to negotiate higher, especially if it’s more a senior role.
- Job satisfaction: you may be happy with where you are but you feel like you could be doing more with your career. Job satisfaction is important in any role because it keeps us motivated and engaged with our current responsibilities. There needs to be a “care factor” when it comes to your role. Another job opportunity may have a couple of incentives that will help increase your job satisfaction such as the option of working from home, extended holidays or training opportunities.
- Career progression: if you want to progress further but you’ve hit a dead-end when it comes to growing within the company, career progression may be one of the reasons why you’ll search for a new job. Not only is it important to move up the ranks but it can help boost your credentials when seeking jobs in the future.
- Happiness: if you’re unhappy with your current role and can’t combat those “Monday blues”, having increased happiness may be important to you and the only way to do that is to seek out other career opportunities. After all, we spend most of our time at work - may as well take up a position we enjoy rather than do it for the sake of paying the bills.
If you’re not sure whether or not you’ve become “too comfortable” in your position, here are some
telltale signs that may indicate you are:
1. Change frightens you.
We’re all afraid of change and it’s known to us that we get comfortable once a routine has been placed. The opportunity to change your current responsibilities may frighten you because it’s all you’ve ever known and undertaking something new may set you up for
failure.
You may have questions on whether or not you’ll pass
probation period, or if you’ll impress your new colleagues when it comes to your skills and talents. This is a clear sign that you may be afraid to shake up your routine and have become too comfortable in your job.
2. You stop contributing your ideas.
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When you have an apathetic attitude towards your role, you stop becoming the “yes” person who normally shares amazing ideas that help improve the delivery of current projects in the pipeline.
If you’ve stopped motivating yourself to contribute fresh ideas, the care factor in your role may have gone from 100 to 0. When you stop finding new ways to do things in your current position or you feel like you have nothing to add when it comes to team
meetings or discussions, this is where you should consider looking at options to change jobs or careers.
3. New opportunities within the company do not interest you.
After your performance review, your manager has probably filled you in about the potential of
promoting you into another role within the company, and with that offer comes attractive work benefits. While it may be enticing, the idea of staying in the same workplace does not interest you.
Perhaps you already believe that it’s time to close the chapter at the company you’re working for because you’ve exhausted all your options there. It can be other factors such as a toxic company culture,
a micromanaging boss or unresolved workplace problems that are also not encouraging you to stay.
4. You’re doing the bare minimum.
A job well done is feeling accomplished and wanting to do that “extra” bit when it comes to your role. However, you may have reached the point where clocking in and clocking off is what you do most days at work.
You have no desire to “do more” with your role and have gotten used to the routine where you just accomplish the tasks you need to do as part of your position. If you don’t engage with your role at all, doing the “bare minimum” may be all that you’re willing to offer.
What options are available if I get too comfortable in my job?
- Study a VET course.
- Speak to your manager about your career goals.
- Change jobs.
- Consider changing careers.
Getting too comfortable in your job may hurt your career. Not only will you miss out on a better salary and other training opportunities, you could set yourself up for
job burnout. If you’ve gotten to the point where you’ve outgrown your current position, here are some other options to consider that may help you find direction when it comes to your career.
1. Study a VET course.
Studying a
VET course is a viable option for most career changers. Not only do they take less time to complete than a Bachelor’s degree, in most cases, you have the option of completing a course in a flexible way. Upskilled has
over 80 courses which are Nationally Recognised in Australia and most qualifications can be attained within 12 months.
Due to their online delivery, you have the opportunity to study at your own pace, meaning you can balance work and other personal commitments without travelling to and from a physical campus.
2. Speak to your manager about your career goals.
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Speaking to your
manager about what you want to do career-wise is an important step to take, especially if you’re unhappy with your current role. If you’re lucky, they may be your mentor as well - someone you can seek career advice from when you’re feeling lost or confused. An opportune time to speak with your manager about your career goals is during your performance review.
Here, you can talk about your strengths and what you desire in your future career. It also gives you time to chat about possible training opportunities that will help you be closer to your dream role. If you’ve established a good working relationship with your manager already, don’t hesitate to book a one-on-one meeting with them to discuss your career goals.
3. Change jobs.
As discussed earlier, many people
change jobs either to increase their job satisfaction or for a better salary. Changing jobs not only gives you the opportunity to experience change but it also expands your professional network, develops your skills and have more work perks offered as well. Not only does this shake up your routine but it gives you a chance to engage in a different role with new responsibilities, learning different processes and/or applications along the way.
4. Consider changing careers.
The idea of looking for another job in the same industry may not sound exciting to you, and you’ve considered changing careers because you don’t enjoy what you’re currently doing now.
You may be in your
30s,40s or 50s struggling to fall in love with the idea of changing careers since you don’t have the time or money to do so. Luckily, you have options to consider such as studying with Upskilled, a leading RTO offering online courses in some of Australia’s in-demand industries.
By studying a course, you have the option to expand your skills and show future employers that you’re highly-skilled. Undertaking study could open up other career avenues you may not have considered.
Are you ready to leave your comfort zone?
Whether you’re looking to change careers or simply want to receive a promotion so your role doesn’t feel so Groundhog Day,
studying a course with Upskilled could help you get there.
In 12 months, you could receive a
qualification that is Nationally Recognised in either marketing, events, community services or information technology that will allow you to expand your current skill set and move on to job opportunities that offer rewarding work or pay.
Get in touch by contacting one of Upskilled’s education consultants and make moves with your career today.