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Five clear-cut signs it's time for a career change

By Andrea Sophocleous Presented by University of South Australia|

Image: Getty

We spend a large part of our day at work, so if you find yourself dreaming of doing something else, it may be time for a change.

It's normal to encounter challenges at work or find some aspects of the job less enjoyable, so how do you really know when it's time for a career change and not just a holiday? Here are five signs that it's time to think about switching it up in the job department.

1. You donกฏt feel energised for work after a break

How you feel when you return from a holiday is a good indicator of whether itกฏs time to throw in the towel on your current career, according to Sydney-based psychotherapist and career coach Grace Gedeon. "Eliminate the burn-out factor before you change careers," she advises.

"Take a holiday and come back. Have you been energised by the holiday or are you back at work with some low-grade sense of boredom? If it's still there after you've taken your break, this career may not be right for you anymore."

2. You have a constant case of career envy

Do you look at friends and family members and wish you were doing what they're doing? This doesn't necessarily mean you want their job, but it can mean that youกฏre not happy in yours. "If you walk past art galleries and wish that were you [working there], then you may have career envy or career longing," Gedeon says.

"It's important to distinguish between being a dreamer and actually missing your calling in life, so think about this: are you denying your talent because you were trying to be responsible and pay the mortgage?"

If so, it may be worth considering what resources are available to you so you can fulfil your professional goals without feeling hindered by financial responsibilities.

3. You feel disengaged

If you are constantly finding yourself zone out in meetings or get annoyed when team members ask you to contribute, it's a good sign that you dislike the nature of your work.

In this case, you're neglecting your potential and it would be worthwhile to explore avenues of professional development outside of your current workplace. 4. You feel stagnated Job dissatisfaction is common when there's no room for growth or few prospects for career progression.

"That's when you talk to your boss about whether you [could] do further training กช and if that's not enough and it's not making you happy, look elsewhere for the opportunity to grow," Gedeon advises.

"Your personal interests will guide you where you want be." 5. Your self-esteem is suffering Confidence and self-esteem are tied into a large degree with what we do at work, so it's important to pay attention to how you are generally feeling, mentally and physically, and assess whether it's linked to your job.

"If people ignore that level of unhappiness in a job and just push on, it affects their self-esteem," Gedeon says. On the other hand, pursuing a career you love will boost your happiness and overall wellbeing.

The University of South Australia offers a suite of 100 per cent online degrees, available to study anywhere in Australia. If you're looking to upskill in preparation for a career change visit UniSA Online today.

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