Have you ever wondered whether you are on the right career path that will help you with your goals? If that is a yes, you are not alone because most of us occasionally stray into this topic when our current career seems to be at a lull point or when our boss or team is overbearing. The thought can also happen at any time, even after we have settled into our position.
Sticking to a job we do not enjoy for the rest of our lives is not appealing. It also does not sound appealing to regret staying in the wrong career, especially if you have been at it for a while.
But how can we say if we are in the wrong career? Here are 13 signs you should look for. Understanding these signs is crucial for making informed decisions about your career path.
You Hate Your Job
While it is ok to have sentiments of hating your job once in a while, it is a sign you should reconsider your career options if that hate is too much and you can’t find any good reason to keep going to work.
You Get Sick A Lot
You can never tell when you will get sick during a work week. But if you feel bothered when stressed because of work, you are more at risk of sickness and can’t achieve a work-life balance.
Your Mental Health Needs To Be Treated
Another sign you may be in the wrong career is if your mental health is at its lowest and there seems to be no sign of it improving. Burnouts and constant anxiety are also quite common.
Complains Seem To Be A Part Of Your Day
Complaining about work is not uncommon. But if you always complain and your work situation does not improve, consider other career options.
Performance Levels Are Deficient
Your performance will be the most significant indicator of whether you are in the wrong career. When you are unhappy with your job and wish to do something else, you don’t put effort into your work.
There’s No Challenge
Careers are meant to help us push forward and help us find other ways to improve ourselves. But, if you are on the wrong career path, you don’t find work challenging and need help finding ways to grow. Sometimes, you even need more time to take on new ways to learn about your current job.
You Feel Like You Are Out Of Place
You are also in the wrong career if you feel like you are not a part of the team. You can’t relate to the rest of the team, and you often zone out during discussions or meetings. This feeling of being out of place is a common experience for many who are in the wrong career.
Boredom Happens At All Times
If you find the job boring and feel like it’s getting too much, it is a clear sign that you are in the wrong field. Staying will only cause you to become frustrated.
You Want To Be Somewhere Else
While there are times that we would prefer to be somewhere else while we are working, the feeling always returns to you if you genuinely want to avoid work when you are in the wrong career. You also try to put off your tasks at the last minute.
You Feel Like You Are Not Valued
When you work in the wrong career, you would always feel like your skills need to be appropriately utilised. Even if you are getting promotions, you feel like most of your skills need to be used, and in turn, you feel dissatisfied and unhappy.
You Constantly Get Negative Reviews
You are always given negative reviews since you are not having fun with the job and underperforming. If you are in the wrong career, you cannot meet your boss’s demands no matter what you do. It will let people know you are in the wrong career.
You Always Check New Job Opportunities
Although you may feel bad that you are checking new job opportunities while still being employed, this should only happen sometimes if you are in the right career. Can you see the benefits if you have been with the team for a while? If your boss disapproves of it, you should consider moving.
Your Passion Is Slowly Dying
It would help if you were passionate about growing and succeeding in your career. But if your passion isn’t there in your current career, it is a sign that your career isn’t the right fit for you.
Even if it is not the right career, leaving your current job can be daunting, especially if it’s your only means of income. However, if you recognise that you are a poor fit in your current career and make the move, it will not be difficult to overcome the challenges of restarting your career to the right one. Remember, taking action can affect your career’s future and your overall health.
So should you quit your job? Here’s how to make that decision:
What is the One Thing Your Company did that Made You Resign?
Writing a Resignation Letter
Mid-life Crisis: Finding Purposes in Your Work
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