When every day at the office feels a little too much like the worst day of the week and you’re feeling a little stale, bored and/or out of options, it’s time to seriously re-assess your work and career (or lack of it!).
Perhaps you’ve already found yourself spending a little too much time on Linkedin, dreaming of greener pastures. The grass sure looks greener on the other side, and a new office environment, an inspiring boss and friendlier colleagues is all you ask for.
However, if you don’t consider adapting your work and skills, it will all be for naught as you will find yourself in a similar situation as soon as the novelty factor wears off.
A career change doesn’t always have to mean moving company. So stop for a minute, take a deep breath and try to pin-point the actual issue. Writing a list of pros and cons can help nudge you on the right path, or at least make you understand what really gets you going at work.
Best case scenario, if you’re actually still liking your current company, the lively office banter and — most importantly — the selection of complimentary biscuits on offer, why not try and apply for a new position and move up the career ladder?
Unless you’re dying for a complete change of working environment or hoping to make your first steps in a new industry, changing career internally is usually the most convenient option.
But this won’t mean resting on your laurels: hiring managers can be tougher on internal candidates than on external ones, so be ready to crank it up a fair bit.
Drive and determination are key for such interviews, but skills always matter most.
Before applying, don’t forget to think of the skills you may need to develop further and assess your needs in terms of personal development. Chances are, if you’re feeling stuck at your work, that you are not getting the training that could take you up to the next level.
If you need to learn new skills before applying for an internal position, your company might allow you to take some time off work to enroll on a short course. If not, opt for an online course that will adapt to your busy schedule and get learning! Yep, the mighty internet is as cool as that.
If you still feel the need to reorganise your schedule around your studies, it will also come in handy to know that since June 2014 in the UK, employees are legally entitled to ask for flexible working hours or time off to train. To be entitled to this, you will need to have worked continuously for at least 26 weeks within a company employing a minimum of 250 people. Now go and get it!