Christine Bernier Lienke* outlines the more common reasons people seek a career change.
Changing careers often involves transferring your skills and experiences to a completely different career or workplace.
Perhaps you’re an investment banker who wants to transition to providing financial services for nonprofits.
Or maybe you’re a teacher who’d like to try out writing for a change.
If you’re contemplating a career change, you’re not alone.
An EdX survey found that 32 per cent of workers between the ages of 25 and 44 considered making a career change, and 29 per cent already had!
But why do people change careers? What are their reasons? What are your reasons for changing your career?
Here are the top 5 reasons why people change careers.
Five common reasons to change careers
- Salary
The EdX survey also found that 39 per cent of those who thought about or had already changed careers did so for a salary increase.
Given that the average pay raise is between three per cent and five per cent, changing careers is sometimes the best way to up your salary.
- Career satisfaction
Professionals often change careers to attain a higher level of career satisfaction.
One example is a middle manager applying for a higher-level position in an industry where their experience and knowledge could complement an upper-management position.
Another example includes feeling stuck in their current career with little opportunity to advance within the same field.
- Unsatisfactory leadership
Another top reason people feel compelled to move on is that they’re unsatisfied by the leadership at their current workplace.
Leadership issues can occur at all levels in a company and seriously affect the productivity of workers.
Lack of recognition, low compensation, and minimal benefits are all key factors associated with poor leadership.
- Work flexibility
Work flexibility is another important factor that influences career change.
Employees who are juggling a career and the demands of their personal lives often want and need a flexible role.
Finding work-life balance is one of the many common reasons to change careers.
- Changing philosophy and goals
Some employees are interested in working in an industry or nonprofit that betters the world, such as in the environmental sphere or social programs that support the underprivileged.
A career change like this would be due to changing philosophy or life goals.
Change Ahead
Whatever your reasons for changing careers, one of the best ways to achieve your goals is to create a career change action plan to help keep you accountable and on track toward career change success.
If you’re not sure what your next career step should be, though, consider meeting with a FlexJobs Career Coach.
These experts can help answer your career change questions and help get you on the right track. FlexJobs members get discounted access, so sign-up today.
Or, take the tour and learn about all the benefits of membership.
*Christine Bernier Lienke is a Senior Researcher and Writer at Flexjobs.
This article first appeared at flexjobs.com.
