Is your job right for you? Here’s how to tell
When things at work start to get stressful, it's easy to wonder, "Is this the right job for me? Do I belong in a different position?" Sometimes, that stress just comes with the territory, but too much stress could be a sign that you need a career change. Here are a few ways to tell whether you have the right job for you:
Take a personality or aptitude test
There are plenty of free personality tests offered online that can help you discover what type of person you are, and how your habits and values match up with your current work life. You may discover that you're more of an introvert, so working in human resources probably isn't the best option for you.
Think back to previous jobs
Ask yourself if you've had a job in the past that you were particularly passionate about. Why did you feel that way about the position? What specifically did you enjoy about the job? When you identify the responsibilities and tasks that you feel you did well, you can look for positions in the future with similar requirements.
The day crawls by
When you're in a job that you love, you don't usually spend your time staring at the clock and wishing it would move faster. Sure, you may have days like that, but it shouldn't be an everyday thing.
You don't like discussing your job
When you're at a party or a family gathering, it's normal for a few work-related conversations to pop up. After all, "What do you do?" is one of the most common icebreaker questions out there. When you want to avoid talking about your job altogether, this is probably a sign that it's time to move on and find something else that you actually enjoy.
You always feel worn out
Whether you work for an auto shop or you work in accounts at a marketing firm, there are going to be days when you simply feel worn out. However, you shouldn't be feeling exhausted day in and day out at your job. That feeling may be your body telling you that your work environment isn't best suited for you.
The salary isn't worth it
Many people take jobs that they don't enjoy because the position pays extremely well. That high number may only suffice for a few months before you begin to feel the stress of being in a job that's not right for you. You might love the money, but are you happy about how you're getting that money? After a certain point, the salary may not be worth it anymore.
You're remaining stagnant
It's entirely possible to be overqualified for your job, but to enjoy it nonetheless. If you have skills that are being underutilized, it can feel like you're running on a treadmill that won't turn off. You're not getting anywhere, and the hard work you're putting in day after day isn't advancing you in your field. No professional growth and development is a sign it may be time to find a new line of work.
