In the US, only 32 percent of employees are engaged with their work. The lack of interest can be because of different reasons. But one of them can be that people choose careers that aren’t for them. If you belong to this group of disengaged employees, here are the signs to look for to know if your career isn’t for you.
You Can’t Relate to Your Colleagues
One of the most evident signs that you are in a career that isn’t for you is when you can’t relate to your colleagues. Generally, your coworkers and other people in your profession are great people to create relationships beyond work. Most of us end up making lifelong friends with people that share our career choices.
It is about sharing the same passion and interests. But when you are in a career you hate, those topics that others find interesting you’ll probably hate too. For example, if you are a full stack developer and one of your colleagues is excitedly explaining the last project he is working on, you will only find it boring.
Also, you won’t be able to understand how some of your coworkers are so excited every day about going to work. You won’t be able to relate to what they find so incredible or satisfying. This can also be due to the current company you work in, but if it also happens with other colleagues in the industry, then you know what it probably means.
You Run From People Asking About Your Career
When you are passionate about something, people only have to mention it to make you go on a monologue. But if you are on a career that isn’t for you, the opposite will probably happen. You will feel like running every time someone asks you about your career, and you will probably give a short answer and change the subject.
Maybe you don’t do it consciously, but pay attention to your reactions when people ask the dreaded question. It can also happen that you start complaining non-stop. It is also a sign that you at least are in a job you hate.
You Feel Like an Actor
If you feel like an actor or an impostor every time you go to work, then that is another sign you are in a career that isn’t for you. When people are in places they don’t like, they sometimes have to put up a façade. When you are in a career you hate, you probably have to put a mask in the office.
Having a bad attitude will probably only give you more trouble at work. If you feel like you can’t be yourself during office hours, then that career isn’t for you. You shouldn’t have to become somebody else every day. And in the end, it will make you feel more miserable than doing dull tasks or going against your values.
Your Career Doesn’t Align With Your Values
Our core values are probably the ones that define our actions. They help us decide what the best path for us is. Sometimes, they also help us identify what is good or bad. And when the career you choose doesn’t align with them, you feel like you are doing something wrong.
For example, suppose your values go against mistreating animals, and you are in a profession where the industry is about killing animals for consumption. In that case, it is very clear that you will feel conflicted. Maybe you are only doing it for the money, but going against your values just because of the good pay will make you feel hollow in the long run.
It’s Disappearing
Finally, the last sign that you should change your career is if your current one is disappearing. The truth is that technology has changed a lot of things in our world, including taking over several tasks that humans used to do. And even if you are in a career you like, it won’t serve you if it will disappear in the next decade.
You can consider making a career change in the tech industry. It will only take a few months if you enroll in a coding boot camp. And you can even learn the skills with free coding courses. It is something to think about for the future.
In Summary
Staying in a career that isn’t for you will only have a negative impact on your life. You can identify if your career is a good match by looking for the right signs. For example, if you can’t relate to your colleagues, don’t like people asking about your work, have to put up a facade every day, or your work doesn’t align with your values, then it is probably time for a change.
Another reason why you may change careers is if your profession is disappearing. It may sound discouraging, but it is better to make a decision early on. And you could be learning with an online course while you still continue your current job.
Photo by Tim Gouw on Unsplash
