In the search for ultimate career happiness, we should never be afraid of taking risks. We get it, venturing into something new can be extremely intimidating and scary. There’s also the concern of making the wrong decisions or fearing the loss of your identity. But, would you want to be stuck in that career rut forever? If you’re itching to make that career switch, here’s a little reassurance – you really don’t have to be scared to take that leap. Here’s why:
1. Jobs are constantly evolving – Careers within the industries are always adapting and changing moving forward, and just as several jobs turn obsolete in this digital age, brand new roles are always cropping up depending on the demands of the enterprise. Often times, these new roles also allow for quicker progressive growth compared to traditional jobs.
2. Nothing is permanent – If you’ve decided to jump ship and explore a new career then realise that it’s not what you imagined it to be, you can always go back to your old job. You can return to your previous company, but you don’t necessarily have to as other employers will appreciate that you took the risk at trying something new.
3. Your experiences are an asset – Jobs aren’t so straightforward anymore. An increasing number of jobs nowadays, especially smaller companies or startups, require people who are able to wear many hats. Hence, the more experiences and skills, the better. Don’t disregard that short marketing stint you did, or the social media strategist internship you had.
4. No such thing as the “right” age – Your age should never be a factor in deciding your career path. If you don’t achieve a certain title by age 30 or 40, it doesn’t mean you’re a failure or that you’re never going to get there. Believe it or not, the majority of people only reach the peak of their careers at 50, so honey, exploring won’t do you no harm.
5. Employers like different skill sets – When a new hire comes from a different industry, he or she can offer a fresh perspective and a varied skill set that can be leveraged by the company for growth and development. Aside from that, not only can your coworkers teach you new skills, they would also be learning from you, with a common goal in mind.
6. It’s no longer frowned upon – Let’s face it, no one commits to one single career for the course of their lives in this time and age. While it used to carry a negative connotation in the past, frequent changes in jobs and moves are now often welcomed and are becoming increasingly accepted.
7. Slasher careers are on the rise – A slasher career signifies a person who has many jobs in their title and no longer are we expected to clock in 40 hours a week on a single job. It’s not easy to hustle a side gig alongside your day job, but it can be worth it. It doesn’t mean you’d be a jack of all trades and master of none as it’s the experience that counts.
8. Passion usually pays off – Got something you love doing and are very talented at? Translate that into a job and it would feel less like work. Having passion for what you do is paramount, and again, it reflects your productivity. So, always look out for what you thoroughly enjoy doing and explore from there.
9. It’s easier to position yourself – In this digital age, we’re not restricted to a full-blown 15-page resume with our entire life history any more. There are various tools that can be utilised to your advantage, such as digital portfolios, your LinkedIn profile and personal websites that can be tweaked, depending on the job you’re interested in breaking into.
10. Job satisfaction is imperative – The advantages of being happy and satisfied with your job extends beyond just that; it boosts productivity, enhances quality of work and promotes a better quality of life. You’re spending such a huge chunk of your life working, so you better damn find a job that feels less like one.
