As we head into another new year, it’s important that you check in with yourself to make sure you’re staying on track in your intended career path. While it’s safe to say that everyone’s careers go through some twists and turns, especially over the past couple years, knowing where you’re at and where you want to go is so important.
Here are several key questions to ask to really check in with yourself and make sure that at the very least you’re pointed in the right direction.
Do I Like What I’m Doing Now?
This is such a great question because it’s easy to answer. There’s no need to think or strategize. It’s a yes or no question. A gut reaction. Do you like what you do? If the answer is yes or no, the reasons why are very telling. Ask yourself follow-up questions to dig in deeper. What is it that makes you like or dislike the work? Is it the environment? The culture? The tasks? The responsibility? Unpacking your answers will help you better understand what you want from your career and work to shape the goals that will help take you beyond your current job.
Will I Grow In My Current Role?
Career growth comes in many shapes and sizes. Many jobs have growth opportunities built right in. Taking on new challenges and new responsibilities often happens very naturally on the job. Are you finding opportunities to learn new skills? Do you find the thought of the next couple years in your industry to be exciting? How do you think you can grow to fill an expanded role within your company?
If you don’t think there are opportunities for growth, that is a red flag in terms of your career. But don’t let that discourage you. Some jobs are just not meant to be expanded. That doesn’t mean that you won’t grow. But it does mean that you will likely outgrow your current role and will find something bigger and better once you have done so.
Would I Want This Job In Five Years?
The dreaded question of where do you see yourself in 5 years is almost cliché at this point. But thinking ahead to the future is an important part of career planning. If you think your role would not be challenging or interesting in 5 years from now, that’s a data point that you should take into account when you think about your goals. This is especially important if you don’t see any opportunities for growth within a role. Knowing what you don’t want to still be doing in 5 years helps you to start thinking about what you do want to do in that time.
How Well Does My Job Match With My Skills And Preferences?
Thinking about how your skills and values as an employee align (or don’t align) with the realities of your work can be eye-opening. When you know what you bring to the table and what your expectations are of your work environment, the company culture, and even your preferences as an employee can help you position yourself for the work that you really do want in your life.
Knowing what you are looking for from your career makes all the difference. If you think it could be time to explore something new, work with Bergman Brothers for all of your job search needs.
