Looking to take the next step in your career but afraid of making the wrong choice? The thought of changing careers can be overwhelming, especially if you’ve worked at the same place for a long period of time. However, despite the pressure to make the right decision, staying in the wrong job through fear of change can be just as risky as making a move.
Sometimes, a career move can be the best thing for you and will open doors to new opportunities and relationships. A study by St James’s Place found that 33% of UK workers are looking to switch careers in the next 12 months, demonstrating that despite the fear of making the wrong choice, there are plenty of people still open to exploring new avenues.
If you’re ready for a new challenge but nervous about the steps needed, this blog explores how to evaluate a career move and move forward with confidence and clarity!
How to recognise when it is time for a career move
Recognising when it is time for a career move is important to prevent burnout and ensure you are happy and fulfilled at work. However, knowing when you are truly ready for a change can be challenging.
If you are considering a career move, your feelings are important to acknowledge. Having such thoughts might mean that your current career choice is no longer fulfilling your expertise and it’s time for change. Recognising when to make a career move doesn’t mean you have to hand in your notice and quit tomorrow, but it should open your eyes to reevaluate your options.
According to Statista, in 2024, approximately 1.22 million people in the United Kingdom switched jobs from one industry to another, demonstrating how common it is for people to make a career move.
How to recognise when it’s time for a career move:
- You feel undervalued or appreciated.
- You no longer feel motivated, happy or fulfilled.
- You feel burnt out, exhausted or emotionally drained.
- You’re craving better opportunities.
- Your work environment has become toxic.
You dread going to work every day. - You’ve stopped learning or growing in your role.
- Your values no longer align with the company’s culture or mission.
- Your salary doesn’t match with your level of expertise.
How to assess the pros and cons of your decision
Assessing the pros and cons of staying in your role, or making a move, is the first step to take if something doesn’t feel right. Taking this step can feel overwhelming but it’s extremely important to ensure you’re making the right decision.
Breaking down the pros and cons of staying or leaving can help you put things into perspective. For example, you might feel like you’ve stopped growing in your role. Before taking action on this, you should ask yourself if you have taken any steps to approach this with your current employer. If you haven’t spoken to your manager in regards to career progression opportunities, it might be worth having this conversation and raising how you feel before rushing into any decisions you may later regret.
The pros and cons of making a career move will look different for everyone due to personal circumstances and differing situations, so you should create your own personalised list to effectively weigh up your options. Whilst one person’s decision to look for a new role may be driven by the desire for a new salary, another person may be looking for a better work-life balance.
To assess the pros and cons of a career move, you should weigh up:
The pros of staying
Job security – Job security can be a pro of staying in your current role as financial and professional stability is essential for fulfilment at work. Knowing you have a job to turn up to every day and a consistent paycheck is very reassuring, especially if you have financial or personal commitments, such as a family to feed or rent to pay.
Established relationships – Building long and trusting relationships with your colleagues can make your days at work more enjoyable. A pro of staying in your current role is having solid professional relationships to rely on and a team you feel familiar with. Established relationships mean you also know who to go to for specific support and how to effectively communicate with managers, directors and your colleagues.
Opportunities for internal growth – If there are opportunities for growth within your workplace, whether that’s through a promotion or joining a different department, it’s definitely worth considering staying. Sometimes the best opportunities will be undiscovered with your current company. It’s also a much easier way to progress professionally as you’re not having to completely start over.
The cons of staying
Stagnation – If you no longer feel excited or challenged by your job, you’re probably finding it hard to stay interested and motivated in your role. This can hold you back from progressing, advancing your skills and knowledge and can make coming to work feel like a chore. You spend so much of your time at work so it’s essential that you’re in a job you enjoy.
Feeling unfulfilled or undervalued – If you’re feeling undervalued, unfulfilled or that your hard work gets brushed under the carpet, it might be time to make a move. For your own mental health, you must be happy and fulfilled in your role and if you’re not, it’s clear that it’s not the job for you anymore. The Love2shop Employee Value Report found that around 6.5 million UK professionals who feel underappreciated by their bosses are actively looking to leave their job.
Toxic work culture or poor leadership – If your workplace has a toxic culture or you’re dealing with poor leadership, staying in your role can take a toll on your mental health, which should always be a priority. If your workplace has become toxic, the chances are it won’t improve, so leaving may be the best decision for your own wellbeing.
The pros of leaving
New opportunities and growth – A career move can bring new opportunities and growth. You can learn new skills, advance in your career, explore new industries and work with different people. With new opportunities can also come a better salary and benefits. You can negotiate your salary when applying for a new job, to ensure it reflects your expertise and skill-set.
Better alignment with your personal and professional goals – Finding a new job provides you with the opportunity to work somewhere that better aligns with your personal and professional goals. If you’re looking for more flexibility, a better work-life balance or somewhere that has more opportunities for professional development, a new job could provide you with exactly that.
A fresh start – Sometimes a fresh start is just what you need, especially if you’ve been in the same role or workplace for a long time. You become so comfortable in a routine that you may feel lost, stuck in a rut or worried that this job is all you know. Fresh perspectives, fresh spaces and a fresh routine can be great for your mental health!
The cons of leaving
Uncertainty and risk – Even if you’re excited for a new start, leaving a job and starting over can be risky. You don’t know what your new role will actually be like and if the grass is really greener on the other side. There is always the risk that your new role won’t satisfy you and you will regret your decision to make a career move.
Letting go of familiarity – Letting go of familiarity can be challenging. Stepping out of your comfort zone and letting go of what once was the ‘normal’ is often daunting. The routines, people, systems and even the hours or days you work will all be new and this can feel scary at first.
Starting from scratch – Starting from scratch can be a long, tedious process. You have to build new relationships, get to grips with new processes and prove yourself in a new role. At first it may feel overwhelming as you adjust to your new role, a new team and a new work culture.
The importance of exploring your options thoroughly
When evaluating a career move, it’s important to explore your options thoroughly to ensure you are making the right decision. The last thing you want to do is make a career move and end up in an unhappier situation than you were in before. You need to sit down and think about what you really want, do your research and explore your options.
If you’re still unsure, why not test the career path first? You could take part in a work experience day, volunteer somewhere, or speak to someone in the career or role you’re looking to move to for further advice.
How to move forward with confidence and clarity
Once you’ve assessed your pros and cons and made your final decision, it’s essential to move forward with confidence and clarity. Whether you’ve decided to stay in your current role or take the next step, you need to believe in your decision and not ponder on the ‘what ifs’. You’ve made the decision for a reason, so trust yourself!
About Eva Henderson, Guest Contributor
Eva Henderson is Marketing Assistant at the Spencer Clarke Group, an award-winning recruitment agency, dedicated to assisting employers with their recruitment challenges and finding candidates their dream job. Eva writes content for Spencer Clarke Group’s Career Hub, providing expert insights and career advice for both employers and jobseekers.