March

The career issue.

Following the disruption of the past few years, many of us are rethinking our priorities and searching for more meaning in our jobs and our lives. I have many clients who are re-evaluating what is important to them and thinking about things they might want to change. Change and transition is never easy but definitely doable! It is never too late to redefine what success means to you. Have you been considering a change? I hope this newsletter will give you some ideas.
 

Cathryn Noyes

Book a call with Cathryn 
 

Trends in the World of Work

According to Gallup, more than half of global employees working for an employer are actively looking for another job or watching for openings. Are you one of them?
 

The global workplace is shifting in response to economic and cultural changes, AI and other trends. Multigenerational workplaces are on the rise, workers are "unretiring" and the freelance market is growing 15x faster than the traditional job market. Traditional career paths are changing and job-hopping is becoming more common. 

In a recent Gartner survey, 22% of respondents said that they expect AI to replace them, but Gartner predicts that jobs are likely to be redesigned to include new skills or responsibilities instead. More corporations are focusing on skills requirements when hiring, rather than insisting on college degrees. The World Economic Forum Future of Jobs Report 2023 found that employers rank analytical thinking and creative thinking as the most important skills for workers in 2023, followed by creative thinking, resilience, flexibility and agility, motivation and self-awareness.

What does this mean for you? OPPORTUNITY! Developing key core skills makes you a very attractive asset, and if you are considering changing jobs or pivoting to a new field, you have never had so much flexibility in how you structure your next role.

““The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure, the process is its own reward.”  —Amelia Earhart

Is it Time For a Change?

We all have times where we wonder, “Am I at the right company? Am I in the right job? And is this all there is?” Early in our careers, we tend to focus on financial rewards and growth potential, but as we move through our careers, our definition of success may change. In their lifetime, the average worker spends 1/3 of their waking hours working. Are you finding those hours to be fulfilling, challenging and rewarding? If not, are you looking to make some different life and career choices?

Before you decide, reflect deeply on what is driving your desire to make a change. Are you bored? Are you underperforming in your job? Do you dislike the people you work with? Is it the company culture? Does the company you work for no longer align with your personal values? Is it the industry you’re in? Is it your day-to-day responsibilities in your current role, or a combination of these?

Your next steps will depend on your honest answers. Can you make small changes in your current role to address boredom or lack of motivation? Can you switch teams, learn new skills or volunteer for a new assignment? Is there a way to connect to your values and purpose outside of work? If none of these will address the problem, then it may be time to explore opportunities outside of your company or industry.  

Making a Mid-Career Transition

So, you have decided to transition to a new role or industry, Where do you start?

REFLECT - What motivates you? Excites you? What do you want to achieve with your move - better work/life balance? Greater impact? More challenging work?

TAKE STOCK - Honestly assess skills, talents, constraints (time, budget, financial obligations)

EXPLORE - Where do my skills, passions, interests align? What opportunities are there?

GAP ANALYSIS – What do I need? Skills? Network? Certification? Support system? Money? Time?

PLAN - Create an action plan, set clear, specific goals. How will you hold yourself accountable?

Remember, when evaluating new opportunities, you may discover there are potential trade-offs. Moving to a new industry may require a pay cut or lower title. Keep your ultimate goal in mind and move forward.

Cathryn Noyes | Certified Leadership Coach | Certified Professional Coach | ICF Certified ACC Coach