Is now a good time for a career change?
I’ve been asked this question a lot over the last couple of months. If you’re lucky enough to still have a job at the moment, you’re not alone if you’re feeling like the smart thing to do is just be grateful and stay put.
Here's 2 reasons why you don't need to put your career aspirations on the backburner, even in the middle of an economic downturn.
1. Now is always the best time to start planning for a change
Most successful career changes take months to plan and implement, so getting started doesn't mean quitting your current job today, or even this year.
It means setting aside some time to do some self-reflection, research and planning. Getting yourself ready to identify and land an awesome new role when the time is right.
Maybe the right time will be next month (more on the current job market in my second point), or maybe for you it will be 6-12 months down the track.
Either way, the best time to start planning is now.
Some practical ideas you can get started with straight away:
Self-reflection: Spend some time identifying your strengths and your values, and what this means for the types of roles and organisations that might be a good fit for you in future. (Tip: Grab a pen and paper and go do this somewhere outdoors or in a cafe - make it an enjoyable brainstorming session)
Pilot: If you already have a shortlist of career ideas you are considering then start exploring these ideas straight away. Jenny Blake, the author of ‘Pivot’, talks about conducting “small, low-risk experiments” to pilot different career ideas while you are still in your current role. This can be things like joining a new project at work, doing a short course, or even just having a conversation with someone who can provide insights and advice on your idea.
Whatever actions you take, you’ll be amazed by how taking small consistent steps forward will lead to more ideas, more actions and more opportunities.
2. There are still many organisations hiring
If you have already done your planning and piloting work, and are ready to start applying for new roles, there are still many organisations hiring.
There is no denying that there are less jobs available right now, and I certainly don’t want to downplay the impact of this on those looking for work. However, not all parts of the economy have been affected in the same way.
There are some industries and organisations that are thriving right now and continuing to hire. There are also some encouraging early signs emerging that the Australian job market is on the road to recovery.
Some practical actions you can take to increase your chance of landing a new job soon:
Research what impact the pandemic has had on the types of industries you are interested in, and use this data to help plan for your next career move. This IBISWorld report is a good starting point.
Talk to people in the roles or professions you are looking to move into, and get their perspective on where things are heading and where the best opportunities might lie.
If you know deep down that you want more from your work - whether that be more enjoyment, more meaning, more challenge, more flexibility, more pay - I hope this has helped convince you that you don't need to wait out the downturn before getting started on making your new career a reality.