When you get up in the morning for work do you think to yourself, “Oh no, not again?” Are you bored at your job; thinking of getting a new job or changing your career entirely? Don’t be alarmed, it happens to us all at some point in our careers. Perhaps the time has come to revamp your career and get out of the professional stagnation that you have found yourself in. Let’s look at how you can go about achieving this.
Engage in Intentional Personal Reflection
Looking inward first helps you to identify why you feel bored or stuck in your career. This act of personal reflection should start with you asking a critical question: What do you really want? Oftentimes were clear on what we don’t want and not necessarily on what we do. The answer to this question could be found in the process of understanding yourself better either in the process of taking personality tests, journaling, participating in self-discovery activities, etc. that let you deepen your knowledge of yourself as you are. As you get more clarity, create a list of things you want in a career that speak to your strengths, goals and aspirations. Do the same for things that are a no for you so you have a balanced picture.
Learn Some New Skills
Figuring out what you like and dislike about your job allows you to know what you should learn to level up in your job or switch careers entirely. If switching jobs/careers isn’t in the table right now, then find ways to improve your current role. Imagine you’re starting your job fo the first time, what things would you do differently and how? Learning something new also gives you a renewed passion for your personal development. Look at where your current role is going in terms of future skill requirements and develop yourself as necessary. Likewise if you’re switching, don’t look at where the your desired career path is right now, but where it’ll be in the future so you’re acquiring the necessary skills and not things that will soon be obsolete.
Expand Your Network
Be intentional about creating professional and social connections because the truth is most opportunities are sourced informally. Use your network to find out if there are positions available in your field in other companies that you may be interested in. Reach out to your network base regularly, not only when you need something. Offer professional assistance to your network when you have the opportunity and capacity to do so. Foster relationships with people in other career paths in your place of work so you broaden your understanding of organisations as a whole. Be deliberate about attending the conferences and trade-shows that will impact your career and when you’re there network with a purpose.
Improve Your Online Presence
Update your profile pictures with more professional-looking photos of yourself. Update your online CV with all the new skills you are acquiring. Increase your LinkedIn activity by writing articles and frequent posts, as well as commenting on other people’s posts and taking part in discussions. Refresh your Twitter and Facebook by reaching out to people in your field, managers, and companies. Social media is a tool that is useful in a professional capacity, so use it well.
Start Moonlighting
If you are thinking of leaving your job, plan your exit strategically. Instead of quitting altogether, start the process by creating a job out of what you want to do. This is a way of testing the waters before you fully commit to that job, and it will also allow you to gain firsthand experience as to whether you should stick with your existing career or go into the alternative you’re considering. You shouldn’t allow yourself to get sloppy at your current job, so be ready to give up evenings, weekends and vacation time to drive your second career.
Become a Volunteer
If you have the time to spare and the opportunity exists, volunteer at a different organization from where you work – ideally where there won’t be any conflict of interest. This will help you to improve on those skills you are learning, make new connections, and gain experiences that can bring you new opportunities. Also volunteer for cross-functional team projects at your current place of work. In addition to learning new skills, it exposes you to other parts of your organisation and improves your visibility.
Think about what you want to accomplish, set things in motion and give yourself tangible deadlines to review milestones (e.g. a timeline to have concluded a training program, updated your CV, etc.). Acknowledge your strengths and limitations, wins and losses. Keep in mind that revamping your career will take time and commitment, but ultimately you’ll be better off for it.
