You’ve been in your job for a while and might wonder if it’s time for a change. You’re unsure whether a new role or company is the answer. Finding a new job or career can be scary because you may have to start from scratch and re-establish yourself in a new company or role.
There is an abundance of resources available on the internet that can help you figure out the next move in your career. Whether you want to hire a career counselor, take a career test, or expand your network, many tools and resources can help you clarify your career path.
1. Gain Clarity WithThe Career Test
If you’re wondering if there’s a career you’re better suited for but not sure what that might be, taking The Career Test is an excellent way to gain some clarity. The test uses your answers about your personality, background, ambitions, and interests to match you with suitable occupations using artificial intelligence.
It should only take 15 minutes to answer the 100 questions in the test. Once you complete it, a payment is required to access your results. You have three payment options, depending on how much support you need.
For $19.90, you can get your career report. If you would like to take a personality test since the test developers believe that your career type is linked to your personality and an analysis of your results, the cost is $24.90. You can get the test results and the analysis without the personality test for $19.90.
If you’re unsure if The Career Test is worth it, the site posts that the test has a 98.9% satisfaction rate. You may want to take a personality test independently to learn more about yourself. If that’s the case, you might be interested in learning aboutonline personality tests to help you know yourself better.
2. Find Networking Events onEventbrite
Regardless of the industry you’re working in, chances are good you’re able to find a networking event on Eventbrite. Attending networking events can help you meet people and make connections that lead you to your next opportunity. The events you find on Eventbrite can be in person or virtual. Some events are free, and others have a charge to attend.
Attending industry networking events can inform you about upcoming changes, so you can figure out if you need to learn a new skill to position yourself for future opportunities. You can also attend events in new industries you’re interested in to see if it’s a good enough fit to make the switch.
You can use networking events to open yourself to options you might not have considered. If you keep an open mind and are willing to share your struggles and goals with others, you may meet someone who can help point you in the right direction.
Networking is essential for career advancement. Even if you’re an introvert, you need to find a way to get comfortable with networking. You may be interested in learning somenetworking tips for career advancement.
3. Seek a Career Counselor at theNational Career Development Center
Working with a career counselor is another excellent way to help you determine the next step in your career. Career counselors are trained to guide you on the path that can give you the desired job.
Career counselors can help you develop and put into action decisions and plans related to your career goals. Your work with a counselor can include creating strategies, learning techniques, and taking assessments tailored to your needs.
Your work with a career counselor can introduce you to options you may not have considered or even knew existed. If you’re skeptical about the value of working with a professional, you might be interested in learning somereasons to hire a career counselor and where you can find one.
4. Expand Your Knowledge WithCoursera
Maybe you’re rethinking your job because you’re not feeling challenged. Whether you want to get a certification or learn new skills, you can find a course that teaches you that in Coursera.
You can take Coursera courses on your phone or laptop, leveraging your commute time if you’re not driving to work. Whether you’re looking for free classes, certifications, or a degree, you can find it on Coursera.
Upgrading your skills is a great way to direct your energy positively. Employers like to see their employees upgrading their skills, and some companies may cover some, if not all, of the costs.
If you want to upgrade your skills but don’t have a budget to invest in classes, there are other platforms where you can find courses. You may be interested in learning about thebest free online learning platforms for any subject or skill level.
5. Make Sure You Can Afford to Make a Change Financially WithMint
Changing your job or career can mean taking a pay cut or starting at an entry-level position. If you’re considering quitting your job to go back to school to upgrade your skills, you want to ensure you can afford it. You also want to be realistic about how quickly you will find a job after training. You’ll want to review your finances and see how to make it work.
Using an app like Mint can help you get a clear picture of your spending, bank balances, budget, and credit score under one roof. You may need to track your spending to reduce some debt and put money aside for savings, and Mint is an excellent tool to help you do that.
Budgeting isn’t something everyone looks forward to doing, regardless of how necessary it may be. If you’re looking for options beyond Mint, you may be interested in learning about thebest budgeting apps to get your finances in order.
6. Keep Your Mind Positive WithCalm
Feeling uneasy about your job can leave you feeling frustrated and anxious. You know you want things to change, but you’re unsure what that change should look like.
Your brain can feel like it’s going 100 miles an hour, searching for an answer to make you feel less stressed. Calm has meditation music, videos that guide you through mindful movement and gentle stretching, and audio programs taught by mindfulness experts.
Creating a positive mindset can help you shift your perspective on your current job or clarify the path you should be on instead. If you’re looking for mindset resources, you may be interested in learninghow to master the stoic mindset for self-care and happiness.
7. Do a Self-Evaluation
You may want to self-evaluate to prepare for your next performance review. Doing a self-evaluation is an excellent opportunity to be honest with yourself about your progress and performance at work and the areas you need to improve.
You can learnhow to write self-evaluations on Built Inand find templates online. You can have open-ended questions or rate yourself on various aspects of your job or a combination of the two; the vital thing is, to be honest.
When doing your self-evaluation, be sure to celebrate your wins, admit your weaknesses, and acknowledge there are areas you need to improve. Once you’ve completed your self-evaluation, you can ask a trusted friend, colleague, or family member to review it, checking for grammatical errors and typos.
If your self-evaluation indicates that your next performance review won’t be good, it’s best to be proactive. You may want to learnhow to respond to a bad performance reviewin preparation.
Consider It a Wake-Up Call
There’s a reason you’re rethinking your job. It may be that you’ve outgrown the position or the company. Maybe it’s because the industry has changed, and it no longer excites you. Whatever the reason is, your uneasiness is a call for you to do something about your situation.
It’s up to you to decide what you’re going to do. You can take assessments to see if you’re still a match for your job, or you can hire a career counselor. There are numerous ways for you to remedy your situation and find contentment in your professional life again.
