Do you dread Monday mornings (and the rest of the work week as well?) Does it go beyond a bad boss or a dead end job? It might be a sign you are in the wrong job for you or in the wrong industry.
Sometimes you take on a job that is not the best fit for you because it has flexible hours and it’s a stepping stone to something you really want to do. Some examples of those jobs might be waiting tables or babysitting in order to earn extra money for your education. Maybe it’s a job to pay your bills so you can do things you enjoy in your off time.
While you might have chosen these jobs to help you do something else, there may come a time when you know inside that it’s holding you back from pursuing your next dream. Start to put in place an exit plan, even if it will take a while before you can leave.
How can you get into a different role or a different industry?
Volunteer at an organization in the new industry
Almost every industry has women’s leadership associations. Check out their website and go to one of their gatherings to see if there is a committee or a project that interests you. Getting involved as a volunteer is a great –– and inexpensive –– way to network with people in an industry you’d rather be in.
Get a certification or take a class that gives you skills in the new industry
Women Who Code or a coaching certification are great examples of this. Take an online course, many of them are free. Then you’ll have credentials to bring into a new field.
Do a project that showcases your transferable skills
I had a client who was in an operations role at a company but really wanted to be doing more strategic work. She was pigeon-holed as an “operations person,” so she got involved in a project in her company and gave strategic advice. This gave her a bridge and something to talk about in interviews to get a more strategic job.
Start a side gig
Start doing your own side hustle after hours or on weekends. This is a good way to see you have a passion for something new without too much. Alternatively, see if your company has an idea called “secondment,” where you can try a completely different role within your same (or another) company for a limited time.
Join a friend or business partner
Ask around your circle to see if you can find a friend or family member who might need help in their endeavors. That’s an easy way to get experience without having to go through all the hurdles of getting a job in a new area.
It’s hard to imagine a future career where you are happy when you feel miserable now. The key is to use your imagination to see yourself doing something else even if it’s not clear now what it is. Believe you CAN and DESERVE to use your talents to be helpful to others and make you happy, and start to get excited about that possibility.
This article is for informative purposes only. Your experience may be different, so follow what you know.
