Here’s some good news: job satisfaction is at an all-time high in the United States. The not so good news? Employees’ opinion of professional development is on the decline.
In a 2018 survey by The Conference Board, job satisfaction has reached an all-time high in the United States, as over 51% of workers reported being “overall satisfied” with their job. But while the survey participants were somewhat happy with their job, a majority gave their office’s professional development opportunities a low score.
According to the survey, workers were not happy with their employer’s lack of opportunities for job growth and educational/training policies. This points to a potential problem for the company: employee retention.
It’s really no wonder why most people are leaving the 9-to-5 to switch careers, to work from home, or to start their own business. If you’re one of these people, make sure that you’re prepared to take the leap. Here are some things to ponder on:
How badly do you really want to leave your work? If you’re at a point where you’re not seeing any career growth, perhaps it’s because you never asked. Try to approach your boss to learn about opportunities that may be fitting for you. If you’re feeling a little disengaged, maybe you just need to get involved in company activities more. It could be that a change of perspective is all you need.
Is the salary worth it? You have to be clear about your salary goals, too. If you’ve decided or had the slightest idea of what your next job is, then you probably have an idea of its salary, too. It would be counterintuitive to choose a new job with a lower salary, don’t you think?
Some jobs, such as technology, marketing or freelance web design jobs, are usually paid well, so you may want to consider these fields. Other jobs that are not on top of everyone’s list are interestingly good-paying, too. Phoenix video conference court reporters, for instance, have one of the highest annual salaries at $47,000 dollars, which makes the job attractive to a growing number of career switchers.
Can you support yourself as you go jobless? Experts say that you have to save six months worth of income so that you’ll have money to tide you over until you land your next job. Have you saved enough? You may have to hold onto your job as you train for your new one. Consider taking online, nighttime or weekend classes so you can work during the weekdays.
Are the training and cost worth your time? You may have to either spend nothing or a lot depending on the school or training you need for your target job. Do you have enough to shoulder the cost of training? Remember, money is time.
At some point, you will feel that you’ve hit a brick wall in your career. It’s part of being human. The challenge is not only to continue pushing yourself to be better, but also, to see things from all angles. Switching to a new career is definitely doable, but only if it’s in the right place or time.
