Career Change Mistakes

Posted February 9, 2021

Deciding to change careers can be both exciting and scary, however there are a few mistakes people make when considering a career change that doesn’t serve them in the long run. Here are a few common mistakes to avoid…

Leaving Due to Your Manager

If the sole reason for wanting a new role is because you are unhappy with your current manager or the work environment, it’s important to dig a bit deeper. There are no guarantees you’ll love a new boss or work environment (and even if you do at first, roles change and a new boss you’re less fond of may take charge later on). If this is the situation you find yourself in, we recommend writing a pros and cons list of your current job. Write down all of the things you do (the pros) and do not (the cons) like about your job and if the cons list is still much longer than the pros, then it may indeed be time to find a new role. However, if disliking your manager is the main negative, then perhaps it’s not time to leave your role; instead, you may need to brainstorm how to make your work environment more enjoyable and only consider leaving for a new role if it truly is something you can no longer tolerate. 

Leaving Only for Better Pay

One of the top reasons people look for new roles is for a salary bump. While a higher paying job is alluring, don’t let it be the only deciding factor for wanting a new job. Sometimes people make changes for a short-term gain and don’t think about the long-term consequences. It’s easy to picture a new job through rose colored glasses and not be realistic about the challenges you would face in this new position. Higher salaries often come with higher stress levels, longer hours, and even less vacation time, and for some, the pay off might not be worth it. Think about what is truly important for your happiness and if the potential salary increase is really worth leaving your current situation. 

Finally… Don’t Leave without a Plan

If you have evaluated the situation rationally, and decided that a new role is for you, it’s important to have an action plan to help get you there. Don’t put in your notice without a plan (and job) in place. Instead, while still at your current role, start looking on the weekends at job openings, updating your resume and LinkedIn profile, and connect with a recruiter to discuss viable options. Create a plan with actionable steps to help you land a new role and have everything in place before giving your current employer your two-week notice.