Top 10 Signs It’s Time for a Career Change

TL;DR

As a leadership coach and career strategist, I’ve seen countless professionals grapple with the decision to change careers. It’s a choice that can be both exhilarating and terrifying, often accompanied by self-doubt and uncertainty. But sometimes, a career change isn’t just a want—it’s a need. Today, we’ll explore the top 10 signs that it might be time for you to consider a career change, and how to approach this transition from a leadership mindset.

1. You’re Constantly Stressed and Unhappy

Let’s start with the most obvious sign: persistent unhappiness. We all have bad days at work, but if you find yourself consistently stressed, anxious, or unhappy, it’s a clear red flag.

Leadership Insight: As leaders, we often push ourselves to extremes, believing that stress and sacrifice are part of the job. However, true leadership is about sustainability—not just for our teams, but for ourselves. If your current career is causing chronic stress, it’s not just affecting you; it’s impacting your ability to lead effectively.

Action Steps:

• Keep a mood journal for a month, tracking your emotions related to work.
• Identify specific triggers for your stress or unhappiness.
• Assess whether these issues are role-specific or industry-wide.

Remember, a career that constantly drains you isn’t sustainable in the long run. Your mental health and well-being should always be a priority.

2. You’re No Longer Growing or Learning

Growth is a fundamental human need, especially for leaders. If you feel like you’ve plateaued in your current role or industry, it might be time for a change.

Leadership Insight: The best leaders are lifelong learners. They constantly seek new challenges and opportunities to expand their skills. If you’re no longer growing, you’re not just stagnating—you’re falling behind.

Action Steps:

• Reflect on the last time you learned a new skill at work.
• Consider whether your current role aligns with your long-term growth goals.
• Explore learning opportunities outside your current field.

A career change can reignite your passion for learning and provide fresh challenges to tackle.

3. Your Values No Longer Align with Your Work

Our values are the compass that guides our decisions and actions. When our work conflicts with our core values, it can lead to inner turmoil and dissatisfaction.

Leadership Insight: Authentic leadership stems from a strong alignment between personal values and professional actions. When these are out of sync, it becomes increasingly difficult to lead with integrity and purpose.

Action Steps:

• List your top 5 personal values.
• Evaluate how well your current career aligns with these values.
• Research industries or roles that better match your values.

Remember, true fulfillment comes when our work is an expression of our values, not a compromise of them.

4. You’re Only Staying for the Money

Financial stability is important, but if it’s the only thing keeping you in your current career, it’s time to reassess.

Leadership Insight: Great leaders understand that motivation goes beyond monetary compensation. They know that purpose, passion, and personal fulfillment are crucial for long-term success and satisfaction.

Action Steps:

• Calculate your “enough” number—the amount you need to live comfortably.
• Explore careers that interest you and their potential earning power.
• Consider how you might adjust your lifestyle to accommodate a career change.

While financial considerations are important, they shouldn’t be the sole factor in your career decisions.

5. You Dread Monday Mornings

The “Sunday Scaries” or a persistent feeling of dread about the workweek is a clear sign that something needs to change.

Leadership Insight: Effective leaders bring energy and enthusiasm to their work. If you’re constantly dreading your job, it’s nearly impossible to inspire and motivate others.

Action Steps:

• Identify specific aspects of your job that you dread.
• Consider whether these aspects are unique to your current role or common across your industry.
• Explore careers that energize you and align with your passions.

Life is too short to spend it dreading a significant portion of your week. A career change could transform your Mondays from a source of anxiety to a source of excitement.

6. Your Industry is Declining or Changing Rapidly

Sometimes, external factors necessitate a career change. If your industry is shrinking or undergoing massive disruption, it might be time to pivot.

Leadership Insight: Forward-thinking leaders stay ahead of industry trends. They’re not just reactive to change; they anticipate it and position themselves accordingly.

Action Steps:

• Research the projected growth (or decline) of your current industry.
• Identify transferable skills you’ve developed in your current career.
• Explore emerging industries that interest you and align with your skillset.

Remember, changing careers due to industry shifts isn’t admitting defeat—it’s a strategic move to ensure long-term career success.

7. You’re Consistently Underperforming

If you find yourself consistently struggling to meet expectations or feeling out of your depth, it might be a sign that you’re in the wrong career.

Leadership Insight: Strong leaders play to their strengths. They understand that true excellence comes from aligning our work with our natural talents and acquired skills.

Action Steps:

• Honestly assess your performance in your current role.
• Identify areas where you naturally excel.
• Consider careers that would allow you to leverage your strengths more fully.

Underperformance doesn’t mean you’re a failure—it might just mean you haven’t found the right fit yet.

8. You’re Envious of Other People’s Careers

Do you find yourself constantly wishing you had someone else’s job? This could be a sign that you’re ready for a change.

Leadership Insight: While it’s natural to occasionally wonder “what if,” persistent envy of others’ careers suggests a deeper dissatisfaction with your own path. Great leaders channel this energy into positive change rather than unproductive comparison.

Action Steps:

• Identify specific aspects of others’ careers that appeal to you.
• Reflect on whether these elements could be incorporated into your current career or if they require a more significant change.
• Reach out to people in careers you admire for informational interviews.

Use your envy as a guide to what you truly want, not as a source of discouragement.

9. You’ve Achieved Your Career Goals (or Realize They No Longer Matter)

Sometimes, we reach the top of the mountain only to realize it’s not the view we wanted. If you’ve achieved your career goals and feel unfulfilled, or if your goals no longer excite you, it might be time for a change.

Leadership Insight: Visionary leaders understand the importance of setting and working towards meaningful goals. But they also know when it’s time to set new targets or change direction entirely.

Action Steps:

• Reflect on your original career goals and how you feel about them now.
• Brainstorm new, exciting goals—both within and outside your current field.
• Consider what a fulfilling “next chapter” in your career might look like.

Remember, changing your goals isn’t a sign of failure—it’s a sign of growth and self-awareness.

10. You Daydream About a Different Career

If you find yourself consistently fantasizing about a different career, it’s worth paying attention to these thoughts.

Leadership Insight: Effective leaders trust their intuition. While daydreams shouldn’t be the sole basis for major decisions, they often point to deeper desires and values that shouldn’t be ignored.

Action Steps:

• Start journaling about your career daydreams.
• Identify common themes or elements in these fantasies.
• Research careers that align with these themes.

Your daydreams might be your subconscious pointing you toward a more fulfilling path.

Making the Leap: Approaching Career Change with a Leadership Mindset

If you’ve recognized several of these signs in your own life, you might be ready for a career change. But how do you approach this transition with a leadership mindset? Here are some strategies:

1. Embrace the Growth Mindset – View your career change not as a setback, but as an opportunity for growth and learning. Leaders understand that every challenge is a chance to develop new skills and perspectives.
2. Conduct a Personal SWOT Analysis – Just as leaders analyze their organizations, conduct a personal Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis. This will help you identify your unique value proposition and areas for development.
3. Network Strategically – Leaders understand the power of relationships. Reach out to professionals in fields you’re interested in. Attend industry events, join relevant online communities, and don’t be afraid to ask for informational interviews.
4. Develop a Transition Plan – Approach your career change with the same strategic planning you’d apply to a major project. Set clear goals, establish timelines, and identify the resources you’ll need.
5. Leverage Your Transferable Skills – As a leader, you’ve developed valuable skills like communication, problem-solving, and strategic thinking. Identify how these skills can apply to your new career path.
6. Be Prepared for Setbacks – Change is rarely smooth. Approach obstacles with the resilience and problem-solving mindset of a leader. Each setback is an opportunity to learn and adjust your strategy.
7. Stay Open to Opportunities – Sometimes, the perfect career isn’t what we initially envisioned. Stay open to unexpected opportunities that align with your values and goals.
8. Invest in Continuous Learning – Leaders are lifelong learners. Invest in developing the skills and knowledge you’ll need for your new career. This might involve formal education, online courses, or self-directed learning.
9. Practice Self-Compassion – Changing careers can be emotionally challenging. Practice self-compassion and remember that it’s okay to feel uncertain or afraid. Great leaders understand the importance of emotional intelligence, starting with self-awareness and self-management.
10. Inspire Others Through Your Journey – Your career change journey can be an inspiration to others. Share your experiences, the lessons you learn, and the growth you achieve. This is an opportunity to lead by example, showing others that it’s never too late to pursue a more fulfilling path.

Conclusion: Embracing Change with Courage and Vision

Deciding to change careers is never easy, especially when you’ve invested years in building your current path. But as a leader, you understand that growth often requires stepping out of your comfort zone. Remember, a career change isn’t about starting over—it’s about leveraging your experiences, skills, and insights in a new context. It’s about aligning your work with your values, passions, and strengths. It’s about leading yourself towards a more fulfilling and impactful professional life. If you’ve recognized several of the signs we’ve discussed, take it as an invitation to explore new possibilities. Approach your career change with the same strategic thinking, courage, and vision that you bring to your leadership roles. The path may not always be clear, but with persistence, self-reflection, and a willingness to learn, you can navigate your way to a career that truly resonates with who you are and who you want to become. Your next great leadership challenge might not be in leading others, but in leading yourself towards a more authentic and fulfilling career. Embrace the journey, trust the process, and remember—the best leaders are those who have the courage to rewrite their own stories. Are you ready to take the leap?

Resources

Here is a list of books on career transitions!