In the process of growing up, all of us are asked what we want to do as a career when we reach adulthood. Whether it’s being a teacher, doctor, lawyer, police officer, or any number of other jobs, it’s clear early on that choosing the right career is important to having a happy life. However, because there are so many careers from which to choose, the decision can be difficult. Unfortunately, many people find themselves stuck in the wrong career field, but may not know the tell-tale signs. Therefore, if your job satisfaction is running very low, here are seven signs you are in the wrong career field.
If you find yourself sitting at your desk counting down the days until you can pack your bags and head off to that long-awaited paid vacation, sales conference or workshop, you could be in the wrong career field. After all, this could show that all that’s getting you through the workday is the anticipation of a fun event with your co-workers. If the actual day-to-day work is driving you crazy, you might need to make a career change.
While this sounds like a positive, it’s actually a sign of career problems. When you leave work and find yourself spending the evening complaining about your job to family and friends, it proves you’ve been very dissatisfied during the workday. For example, if you’re working in a recording studio and are trying everything you know to lay down the best vocals but are having little success, your pent-up frustration is bound to spill over when you go home. So remember, if you’re always discussing the problems you experienced on the job with those you love, finding a new career may be the answer.
While most people begin their careers planning to give it their best each and every day, that can fall by the wayside if the wrong career is chosen. When this occurs, you may start to realize that rather than putting forth your best effort each day, you’re simply doing the minimum you need to in order to please your boss. So if you can no longer give it your all on the job, it may be time to explore other options.
When you’re working at a job and thinking about other jobs you would rather be doing, chances are you are officially in the wrong career. In many of these situations, fear play a big factor in keeping you stuck in a job you dread. If you are determined to solve this problem, conquer your fear of the unknown and get out of your rut by exploring new career possibilities. So even though you are still working full-time, you’ve also got a second job that involves seeking a new career opportunity.
Somewhere along the way, the sense of purpose you had when you started your career disappeared. If you’re having trouble believing in the work you do, no longer believe in your company’s mission, and question the contribution you and your company make to creating a better world, then it’s time to ask yourself if you see yourself on a long-term career path in this field. Remember, even if your job does not seem purposeful to your family and friends, it must be purposeful to you in order to make it satisfying.
While most workers dream of getting one promotion after another, you may be doing the opposite. If getting a promotion sounds like your worst nightmare, you are definitely in the wrong career field. Even if you are a valued employee of a digital marketing agency and know you could make it the best SEO agency in the world if you were the manager, yet have no desire whatsoever to do so, it’s probably in the best interest of you and your employer for you to find a new job.
While almost all employees feel burned out at some point in their career, you might have a problem if you feel burned out after only a short period of time on the job. When this happens, you need to reexamine what made you feel inspired enough to choose this career. If after some honest assessment you feel that things won’t change, determine what new career will energize you and start the transition.
If you find yourself experiencing any of these problems, it’s a good bet your job satisfaction level is very low. Rather than continue to feel stuck in a career you no longer love, be honest with yourself and get to work finding the perfect career for you and your talents.
Often, people will think they are in the wrong career but in actuality they are just in the wrong role or field. Something clearly drew you to the profession, so if something is still keeping you there, but you feel burned out or uninspired, consider looking for those fibers of attraction in other sectors of your career. For example, if you work for one of the best digital marketing agencies as a SEO account manager, and you love to use your creativity to drive campaigns and help your clients achieve their own career goals, yet you keep watching the clock or feel bored, consider other areas of the field. Social Media marketing allows you to exercise creative freedom and help increase conversion rates, yet it is a different kind of animal. Look for opportunities to assist in cross-department projects and see if there are other areas that resonate.
