Career Crossroads & Confidence

LegacyUser

Hi,
Im 15 years into my career and have had three job changes, but all broadly within the same overall sector (entry industry position for a couple of years, changed to a different role in a parallel sector for a couple of years and then moved into education in the same industry and have been there for 8years).

But I have been losing my drive, patience and enthusiasm for the job over the last 18months especially. Although I still work effectively its emptying me so easily, im largely bored, irritated by old style management, under-challenged overall and at this stage in my current workplace there's no place else to go without going into management which I have no interest in.

Im qualified to MSc level and a third of the way through a part time phd. I've spent the last couple of weeks looking at my cv and job ads and doing a lot of self-reflection. I've realised that of the 6 bosses I've had, Im more qualified than all, no less capable I think etc but I think there's a confidence gap and fear of making the wrong move that keeps me stuck and from higher reaching positions. Ultimately too Im aware that my earnings are below my cv offerings and I don't really have a vision of what my earning potential is even.

For instance, there's a position advertised currently that looks really interesting, not quite directly in my experience or career path to date but not a million miles removed either. But I haven't even really contemplated throwing in an application, but at the same time I get butterflies when I imagine getting stuck into it and then I arrive at work and die a mental death all day
My ideal job has not been advertised this year and isn't very easy to find these days on any kind of stable footing so I know im frustrated about that too, as it's the natural progression from the current role. Overall Im a live to work person as oppose to work to live and my work life quality does affect the rest of my life significantly.

If anyone has any advice on what is I guess close to a midlife career crisis Id be grateful for ideas and views.

Mayboy

Hi,

Maybe:

1. You think you should derive your identity & satisfaction from your working life - not necessarily true - plenty of people work without it being the big definer in their life. Many people seek their whole identity in what they do but it is very possible to manage work, however irritating, as a means to an end. I found with my last job that I stopped creating the 'I hate work' narrative and things changed pretty fast.

2. THere might be no challenge for you in your current job - so you might ask - what really floats your boat - what makes you happy?

3. Stop looking for the 'perfect' job - it does not exist, there will always be change and difficulty - the real skill is working with this stuff.

4. have you considered a career coach - as in a really good one. I used someone when I was stuck and 12 months later my view on things has changed radically.

5. Two books I read were great while I went through this: 'Working Identity' by Hermina Ibarra & Transitions by William Bridges - both excellent.

Good luck!

via4

I totally agree with Mayboy I use to think there would be a perfect job waiting for me at the end of my degree. Try not to focus on past employers qualifications because as the old saying goes "its not what you know its who you know" applies a lot in the real world. You could have all the qualifications in the world but it does not mean you will get the best job. As Mayboy said try and look for satisfaction outside of work. I have recently tried to do this and I just look at my job as a paycheck though dont get me wrong I do like my job but I have the potential to do so much more but why put myself under pressure. I have also noticed most of my age group that have degrees are still just working the normal jobs Dunnes, Penneys, Butchers etc. and I feel like it has become the norm now the degree is just a back up of an opportunity does come along but 90% of us are just doing low skilled jobs that we could have got anyway. I dont think this is a bad thing though. Another good book I read was called "Life Code" by Dr. Phil ( I know some people think he talks nonsense). In a nutshell he says that just because you have been an honest hard worker all your life does not necessarily mean you will become successful in the real world that does not always happen and he is right. He also talks about your gut instinct a lot and to listen to it and be very careful about who you let into your life etc. for example if you were to take a job and you can tell the manager does not like you to listen to your gut. It changed my perspective on things it might give you a different outlook also.