Signs Your Career Needs a Makeover And How To Make It Happen
Does your career need a makeover? Do you feel like your professional life is at a standstill? Is it time to upskill your credentials so you can move your career forward? How do you know when to seriously consider whether you're stuck in a job and it's time for a reboot?
There might not be one red flag, though there are some indicators you can look for if you're unsure where your career is going. It could be something as simple as a feeling in your gut (and listen to it if it's there; your gut is usually right) that it's time for a change.
Warning Signs That It's Time for a Change
Besides having a sense that all is not right, some warning signs could indicate that you've reached a point in your career where you need to make a transition.
That could mean starting a job search, considering a long-term career change, or upgrading your credentials to give your career a quick-as-possible makeover to reposition yourself as a competitive employee or candidate for a new job.
If any of the following are happening to you, it may be an indicator that you need to revamp:
You're not getting promoted. Are other employees getting promoted while you're not getting considered? If you aren't in line for a promotion or are applying for new jobs within your company and not getting them, one of the reasons could be that your skills aren't current.
You're not getting raises. Does it feel like you've been getting the same pay rate almost forever? In general, pay raises aren't high, with the average increase for 2024 is 4.5%. Your employer's budget may be less, but there could be other reasons you aren't getting a raise or are only getting a small one.
You feel stuck in your job. When you feel stuck in your job, and there's no way to move up the career ladder or transfer laterally into a position that's a better fit, think about what you could do to change the dynamic. The longer you stay, the harder it will be to move on.
You hate going to work. The fact that you cringe at the thought of going to work might be a warning sign that you need a career makeover.
Your hours are getting cut. If your work schedule seems to include fewer and fewer hours, it may indicate that you lack some of the skills the employer needs to get the job done.
Job openings are hard to find. If you're spending a lot of time on job sites but not seeing many listings when you search for openings, take the time to investigate why not. Perhaps you need to switch up the keywords you're using to search, or there may not be many jobs for someone with your qualifications.
Nobody wants to hire you. You're actively applying for jobs but are having difficulty getting hired. There are many reasons why you may not have gotten the job, but one could be that other candidates are more qualified than you are.
Your skills need to be updated. If your resume or LinkedIn profile still says that you're an expert in technology that nobody uses anymore, it could hurt your chances of getting hired. Some skills should be left off your resume because they will label you as dated.
AI is replacing you. Is your job in danger of being taken over by AI? Employers rely more on artificial intelligence to do jobs that people used to do. It probably won't happen immediately, but if you are in one of those occupations, consider what you'll do when your job is gone.
You work in a shrinking career field or industry. When you're working in one of the best industries for jobs, upgrading your skills and making a change can be relatively easy. When you're working in an industry that's losing jobs, evaluate what transferable skills you have that can be used in another sector.
Tips for Making Over Your Career
One of the best ways to makeover your career is to upgrade your skill set. Depending on your career track, you may need to return to school to continue your education, or you can supplement your credentials by taking online courses, earning a certificate, participating in a boot camp, or attending professional development classes.
Check Out In-Demand Skills
Start by exploring what skills are in demand, then explore career options that match the skills that interest you the most.
Take a free career assessment or two to help you line up possible matches. Then, spend a few minutes matching your skills (or the skills you'd like to have) to potential job options.
Think Outside the Box
What would you love to do next in your career? Now is a good time to consider all possible options. Then, take some time to talk to people in your network who are working in fields of interest. What do they like best about what they are doing? What don't they like?
Figure Out the Money
If you are considering career options that require a degree, consider the potential return on investment (how much the degree will boost your wages).
When earning a new degree isn't in your budget, take classes to acquire the skills you'll need for jobs of interest.
There are many online courses that are free or low-cost. Even taking a few courses can bolster your resume and help you transition to a new position or industry.
Certificate programs and boot camps are lower-cost ways of gaining the skills you need for a career makeover.
Attend as many conferences and professional development programs as you can to learn and connect with people who can help your career.
Update Your Resume and LinkedIn Regularly
Remember to add everything new to your resume and LinkedIn profile. Also, remember that a career isn't a one- or two-step process. Your career will most likely transition over your working lifetime.
Making it a point to keep upskilling, even when you're not actively job searching, will ensure that you are well-positioned to makeover your career whenever the timing is right for a change.
Our Favorite Tips & Tools
Should You Expect to See Salary Listed in Job Postings?: If you don’t see a salary range in a job posting, it could be because the position is in a location where companies aren’t required to list it. Only nine U.S. states (and some municipalities) have active salary transparency laws, including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Maryland, Nevada, New York, Rhode Island and Washington.
CareerOneStop Training Finder: When you need to build skills and credentials to advance your career, CareerOneStop’s Training Finder will help you with every step, from learning about options to getting the skills you need to grow or change careers.
SmartAsset Federal Paycheck Calculator: When you get a job offer, it’s helpful to know the bottom line. Use SmartAsset’s free paycheck calculator to get an estimate of what your take-home pay will be.
News & Noteworthy
Taking on Twitter: How Akiva Cohen built a law team based on their really good tweets, changed a few career paths along the way, and then took on Twitter on behalf of employees who didn’t get the severance pay they expected.
From Chef to Mail Carrier: Job security, benefits, health insurance, paid holidays, and a 401(k) can all be motivators for a career change. Chef Jose Arteche, co-founder of Shogun Sushi & Sake Bar, reset his career and sold the restaurant to become a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service. He's happy that he did.
Challenges for Grads: KSLTV reports that the biggest challenges for new college graduates include AI and finances. Whether it's integrating AI into your job search or figuring out how to pay the bills, there are strategies that will help.
Sponsored By Remotive
When you’re looking for a 100% remote job, Remotive can expedite your search, and the basic version (2000+ jobs) is free. Learn more about how Remotive can accelerate your job search, and sign up for the Remotive Accelerator to access over 30,000 listings and the Slack community for a one-time fee.
Note: We may receive a small commission if you sign up using this link.