The holidays aren’t simply a time of peace and goodwill, but a season of career unrest for many professionals. The end of the year leaves executives juggling busy schedules, personal stresses, and potential job loss due to downsizing. If you’re contemplating a new career for Christmas, make sure to avoid these 4 pitfalls of finding a new career.
4 Mistakes to Avoid In a Career Change
- Jumping ship. If your career has stagnated, a position with a new company can catapult you to executive success. However, sometimes that “holiday job search itch” is a simple matter of career ennui. Before making any major career changes, take a step back. Reexamining potential upward mobility, opportunities for sideways expansion, and your heart for the office culture at your current company. A fresh perspective may reveal career paths you may have been overlooking, no job change required.
- Thinking small. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the minor dissatisfactions that pushed you from one job to another. When looking for a new job, consider not just your current successes, but your overall career goals. Are you dissatisfied with the office culture, corporate mission, and internal structure of your current company? Before revamping your executive resume and reconnecting with old business associates, determine if a change in industry, a new education, or a simple job description update is the key that will propel your career to new heights.
- Shortsightedness. If you’ve determined that a career change is necessary for executive success, the holiday season is an excellent time to expand your professional network, revitalize your personal brand, and find new career opportunities. However, proper planning is the key to a successful career change. Before you get serious about changing careers, research how much time, energy, and funding it will take to switch career paths. Consult with executives in your desired industry to determine whether it’s a viable option to resign before attaining a new position, or if looking for a new job on holidays and weekends makes more financial sense.
- Ignoring opportunities for growth. No matter how long you’ve been in the C-suite, a new job offers countless opportunities to develop new skills, build mentor relationships, and educate yourself about the ins and outs of different industries. Whether you’re switching titles, changing offices, or moving to an entirely new location, make yourself indispensable by prioritizing continued learning.
Do you have a question about how to optimize personal branding for your career switch? Contact Executive Resumes Atlanta.