How to deal with a career crossroads - TheJobNetwork

How to deal with a career crossroads - TheJobNetworkIn pop culture, we picture midlife crises in a very specific way. The man who buys the Ferrari. The woman who goes on a soul-searching trip with lots of yoga and beautiful European locales. In real life, though, it can be a lot more subtle than thatand often hits the professional life rather than the partieal one. If youre feeling mid-career blahs, and arent sure how to deal with it, it could be a career crossroads. Is it time for a change? Should you keep going on your current path? googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) What is a career crossroads and how can you handle it?The career crossroads is a point where you start to wonder what the rest of your career should look like. It can be brought on by changes at work (a new boss, big changes in the company) or really by bedrngnishing at all except a general sense of am I doing what I should be doing?The end result could be staying where you a re, looking for a new job, or jumping fields altogether. Lets look at some strategies for dealing with a career crossroads.Do an audit of your professional lifeNow is the time to ask some very important questions about what youre doing now and where youve been. Are you in a field that you chose decades ago, right out of school, because it felt like the right choice at the time? Do you leise feel like it was the right choice? Have you moved as far in your job or field as you would like? Do you feel burned out because you no longer feel fulfilled by what youre doing, or would minor changes make your life better in the same job?Its also a chance to reassess your values. Whats the mostimportant career factor for you at this point? A certain salary? The emotionalfulfillment you get from your job? A certain job title or set ofresponsibilities?Be honest about what you wantThis isnt about what others might want for you or what you wanted back when you were a student. The person you are now may have changed totally from your younger self, so its time to be realistic about what you want to achieve in the next phase of your career.Here are some factors to considerWhats the financial picture in your career right now? Sites like Glassdoor and Salary.com can help you figure out if your salary is in line with others at your level of experience, job title, etc.Do you feel fulfilled by what youre doing? If you find yourself bored but generally happy with your field, think about what would make your job more challenging or fulfilling. If you cant think of anything that would enhance your current path, then its time to ask Would you be happier doing something else? The mid-career change is increasingly common. What you wanted to do forever at age 22 is not necessarily the same thing you want to do forever at age 50. If you think you need a drastic change, then its also time to think about what would be involved in starting over (Going back to school? Certification?).Dont be afra id to get an outside perspectiveYou dont have to muscle through your crossroads alone. In fact, it can really help to get the outside advice of someone you trust, like a mentor or someone else in your field. Its best to avoid people at your current job (lest you spark rumors about you quitting), but a former colleague could be a good choice. The act of describing your current frustrations and future goals can help you visualize what you really want to do.CreateanactionplanIf you determine that its time to make a job change or push for a promotion at your current job, then do it. tischset a plan for your job search. Update your resume. Dust off your LinkedIn page, and start building your network. Start building your negotiation plan for approaching your boss. The outcome of your self-audit should always be an action plan of some sort, kind of a roadmap for the next phase of your career. Whether youre staying put or looking for something new, you should come up with several tasks that will make your professional life better.If you feel yourself approaching the career crossroads,dont let the questions or frustrations get you down. Its the perfectopportunity to take charge, and shape your career for the better.