devote their time and energy to a job they
are not cut out for are likely to end up
frustrated and unproductive. SIMON
EJEMBI writes on the warning signs
There are many people battling to climb
the wrong career ladder in the society
today, according to experts.
Some blame it on
the high rate of unemployment in the
country, some say it is as a result of poor
career advice or lack of it. One thing they
agree on is that it is very tough if not
impossible for an individual to succeed in a
profession that is not meant for them. The
reason is simple; square pegs won't fit in
round holes.
Experts say it takes years for some people
to realise that they made a mistake in
choosing a career. When that happens,
some of them take steps to correct the
mistake; others end up stuck, forced to
settle for limited success.
There are numerous warning signs an
individual can look out for in order to
determine if they have erred when they
decided what profession or job they would
spend their time doing.
The Senior Partner, Smart Work Network
Incorporated, a firm which provides
companies with solutions for their talent
management lifecycle, Mr. Douglas Garner,
says he has seen many people who would
have been millionaires if they had
channelled their energies into pursuing the
right career but are battling to survive on
the wrong job.
Lack of pride in your career
Some of the signs that an individual is
walking the wrong career path are:
When your friends ask you for career advice
and the only thing you can honestly tell
them is to stay clear from the one you are
in; when commuting to your job, your mind
is already busy planning your schedule for
the moment you clock out; when you wake
up on Monday wishing it were Friday,
again; when you receive a 'Needs
Improvement' on your performance review;
when your employer decides to transfer
you to another functional department to
'see if things might improve;' when you get
on an elevator and somebody asks, 'how's it
going?' and you answer, 'It's going;' when
you find yourself fantasising about a 'lost
time injury;' when you are more excited
about the food in the cafeteria than any
new client or business announcements; and
when you have calculated and have a
running tally of the number of days you
have to 'survive' to be 'fully vested' in your
company's retirement system.
Lack of passion or commitment
Forbes Magazine contributor, Erika
Anderson, writes in an article that by
reviewing the surroundings, job
satisfaction and the connection with the
profession, an individual can deduce
whether the career or job is the right one.
On surroundings, she says the realities of
the job and the company matter. According
to her, it matters whether the work space is
comfortable and it makes it easier to do
good work. She adds that it also matters if
you have the tools and resources you need,
and if you like the people around you and
consider the processes and policies
reasonably efficient.
When it comes to what you do, she explains
that questions regarding whether your day-
to-day job "consists of things you like to do
(for the most part) and find engaging and
challenging." It also matters if "your job
generally plays to your strengths – that is,
is your success at work primarily
dependent on doing stuff you're good at
doing?"
Connection
Here, Anderson writes, "Are you passionate
about the company's mission? Are you
proud to be associated with it? Do you feel
reasonably content and grateful to be
working for this company, this department,
this boss? Do you feel acknowledged and
supported to succeed? If somebody asked
you whether you're planning on building a
career here, would you say yes?"
Experts at allwomenstalk.com say the
following signs also indicate that you are in
the wrong profession:
You drag yourself to work everyday
If you find yourself dragging yourself to
work today, looking forward to your
dentist's appointment and hoping you are
sick every morning, then you are not
enjoying your work. It is a sign that this
career is probably not giving you what you
are looking for in life.
You aren't good at your work
One of the reasons people enjoy their job is
because they are good at it. Knowing that
you excel at what you do makes you
instantly happier about your job.
Conversely, if you just can't get your head
around what is expected of you, you will be
unhappy. It's time to consider another
career.
You hate talking about what you do
When you go for a party or a date, if the
last thing you want to talk about is your
job, then you aren't happy about what
you're doing and probably need to consider
a different line of work.
You constantly complain about your job
Constantly cribbing and bitching about
your job means only one thing – you need
to get another one. Then consider if it is the
workplace, your colleagues or your boss
that you can't tolerate or if it is the work
itself. If it's the latter, look out for a new
career.
You go in late and leave early
Lack of motivation manifested in going in
late and leaving early is a sure sign that
you don't enjoy what you are doing and
should probably consider a different line of
work. Regularly shirking your work means
you just don't like your job.
You spend most of your time on the social
media
At work, if all you seem to be doing is
browsing on Facebook, then either you
have very little work or you don't care to
complete your work. Both are definite
warning signs that you are in the wrong
career.
You don't feel challenged
Some people get extremely de-motivated
when they find themselves in a role that
does not challenge them. They will drag
themselves to work, bunk whenever
possible and generally perform badly. If
you are not challenged about your work,
consider a different career.
You look for ways to keep busy
If you keep finding yourself looking for
ways to keep yourself busy at work, it
means you are not challenged and you
don't have enough things to do. Both are
certain recipes for disaster so reconsider
your career right away.
It is a big decision to change your career
particularly if you have major
responsibilities, however, if you find a job
you love, you will not have to work a day in
your life. So, if you are experiencing any of
the signs above, bite the bullet and change
your career.
Culled from: PungNG
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