Five Signs it Might Be Time for a Career Change
How do you know when it is time for a change in your career? Do you recognize when enough is enough? As a Recruiting Specialist in the construction industry, I have daily discussions about this topic. In the conversations I have, people are sometimes surprised when they realize their professional goals will be difficult to achieve and their day-to-day has become stagnant with their current company. I’m going to break down five reasons why it might be time to speak with a talent advisor about opportunities in your industry.
1 – You don’t feel challenged or fulfilled by the projects you’re working on.
I often hear people say, “I can do {type of project} in my sleep.” Let’s think about that, do you want to be doing something without any challenges every day? I can imagine this leads to boredom and little excitement in your career. Think instead about the types of projects you really enjoy and that can provide an opportunity for growth. Does this mean you need to be at a larger or smaller company?
2 – You have frustrations that are not being addressed or solved.
Everyone has pain points in their day-to-day job. What I mean here are issues that go unresolved for weeks and months. Does your superior ignore or put off your request for a conversation? Do you still find yourself facing the same problems all the time? Even small issues that go unresolved can lead to big problems in the long run.
3 – You have little to no support on your team.
In most industries, it is important to have a team you can trust. In construction, teamwork can lead to the success or downfall of a project. If you ever feel you are “working in a silo,” a red flag should be raised. In today’s changing workforce, it’s even more important that early career professionals feel supported. What does that look like? Companies offering mentorship, proper training, and simply taking the time to answer questions. Being told to “figure it out” is not the way to teach and grow in your career.
4 – You do not have opportunity for growth.
Where do you see yourself in your career in the next five years? 10 years? This question can really stump people sometimes, and it might be because they are unaware of the potential growth within their
industry. When you do figure out the answer, make sure that your employer has a clear path with well- defined steps to get where you want to go. Ideally, you should regularly meet with a supervisor to have open discussions about your career goals and progress towards success.
5 – You have been given more money, despite still wanting to leave the company.
I get it, money talks. But does money mean that all of your problems magically go away? Most certainly not. In fact, this can lead to other issues further down the road. A company giving you more money because you want to leave only gives a temporary solution to the problem. They know you want to leave, so what is stopping them from finding a (cheaper) replacement and showing you the door? I saw an analogy about counteroffers comparing them to cheating on your significant other. You both know it happened, it’s hard to ignore, and at some point, you’ll both have to face the truth that the relationship ended when you considered a different company.
In the end, you are the driver of your own career path. If you are feeling like any of these points are what you are dealing with, it’s time to take control and do something about it. If you want to excel, then make sure you’re not being complacent in your career decisions. Otherwise, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Have a conversation with your superior, talk with a friend, or reach out to a talent advisor. If you are in the construction industry, I am happy to be your first source of information!
Emily Whitener is a Recruiting Specialist with Management Recruiters of Davidson (North Carolina). She focuses on placing Construction Management talent with commercial general contractors in the region. Her passion is helping place candidates in the perfect role throughout the Carolinas and the Southeast. Emily has a strong background in communication and problem-solving skills. She uses these skills to network and build relationships resulting in successful placements.
