With technology innovation, especially around AI advancements, there is a constant narrative about job losses and the need for reskilling. So it’s no surprise that many workers are considering a career reboot. Whether people feel burnt out, have been forced out, or are simply ready to forge a new path to reinvigorate their professional curiosity, a career reboot can be just the answer.
With just 31% of employees engaged at work and more than half of employees actively looking for a new job, according to the latest Gallup results, employee engagement has stagnated. When employees are languishing in their careers, the subtle issues they have swept aside start to come to the surface.
A recent article from Korn Ferry highlights some of the career red flags people should pay attention to. If you’re considering a career reboot, they suggest that once you’ve decided on a shift, you take action quickly.
Per Marnix Boorsma, senior client partner at Korn Ferry, “Careers compound. Stay too long, and erosion sets in.” Your market value depletes, or you fall victim to internal erosion, an insidious process in which your self-belief and your mental sharpness degrade. Rather than wait for things to fall apart truly, experts advise a reroute. “It’s not about quitting,” says Wolf. “It’s about finding a path back to the peak.”
Not sure if you’re ready to make a change. Below are some things to consider that might help you figure out if it’s time:
Your peers have been promoted… but not you.
The higher you go in an organization, the fewer roles there are. Are you ready for the next level, but getting overlooked? Are you getting assignments that contribute to the strategic direction of the company? Have you discussed your career ambitions with your supervisor to get feedback?
You let emails go unanswered.
Do you dread looking at your email inbox or put off listening to voicemails? Do the day-to-day tasks of your job feel like you’re wasting your time or unfair? “These are sure signs that you’re in a rut,” says David Vied, global sector leader for medical devices and diagnostics at Korn Ferry. He notes that these are normal reactions to work that lacks challenge and variety.
Your field is stagnating.
If your field is not growing and you feel like you’re not learning anything new, even though everything is, well, fine, it may be difficult to find satisfaction, and opportunities will be few and far between.
You’re constantly feeling friction.
If you dread going to work every day and are no longer excited about the work output, you may have outgrown the career path you’ve been on. It’s not the end of the world; it just means that you’re out of alignment with what motivates you.
You’ve got ‘the feeling.’
As far as wisdom goes, we shouldn’t doubt our gut instinct. When the restlessness and doubt are more consistent, it’s our conscience letting us know it’s time for a change. Instead of ignoring these quiet signals, embrace them and start exploring what makes you happy.
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