Happiness Tips for Changing Careers

G​uest post by Elizabeth Mackenzie, CEO of Global PR Associates

According to a Bankrate survey, 55 percent of Americans in the workforce said they would likely look for a new job in the next 12 months. Professionals and other members of the country's workforce are looking for new challenges, higher-level responsibilities, and better salaries.

Studying and pursuing a new career represents much more than just a job decision for the coming years. A new career and job are the basis of your economic success and the level of well-being in your life. For that reason, you should think carefully about being important to the economy and achieving your long-term goals.

​Let's analyze these and other factors below.

What Do You Need to Ask Yourself Before Choosing a Career?

Before selecting a career, the most important thing is to evaluate all the positive and negative factors that can influence your personal and professional life. To obtain an accurate conclusion, answer the following questions.

1. What Are My Interests? Determine what your interest are. Ask yourself what activity you would do even if you were not paid for it. You may have opportunities in the IT industry even if you are not a tech geek. If you’re creative, you might consider a career in digital marketing, or if you like coding, you may consider a job in software development. ​
2. What Are My Skills? Identify and list the areas in which you perform best. Define what tasks you are good at and in which you can devise technical strategies to generate added value in a company.
3. What Are My Talents and Strengths? Skills are not the same as talent. You may have skills, but talent is how effectively and easily you perform a specific action to achieve a goal.
4. What Is My Personality? The way you relate to your colleagues and peers in the workplace is key to ensuring your success in any field. This is also essential to guarantee the success of a work team.
5. What Are My Values? Your values ​​are the basis of your soft skills. Modern companies highly value these qualities, even in technical interviews.
6. What Education or Training Do I Need? Not all universities and companies offer specialized training programs or adapt to your career. Choose an option that fits your academic, professional, and vocational profile.​
7. Are There Jobs Available in This Career?: A very important point is the availability and job offer of the selected career in the job market. Take a look at the demand by city, the number of job offers per year, and the companies with the highest percentage of hiring.

Key Elements to Identify Whether a Job Is Right for You

Before choosing or changing careers, analyze what elements are present in your current field. Perhaps looking for a completely different path is not the solution, but rather a related area or a new work environment. Take a look at the factors below.

The Job Aligns With Your Values
If you have a high-level job or one with important professional requirements, make sure it has positive corporate values. For example, having a deadline-driven role that allows for team collaboration and creativity is a positive sign. That is a role that can offer you excellent career opportunities.

The Position Is Interesting and Challenging
There is nothing more rewarding than an occupation that leverages your talent. The best work environment is one that gives you new challenges every day. Responsibility and challenges are the ideal values ​​to increase engagement, performance, and acquire more professional experience.

You Are Productive in the Work Environment
Productivity is key to becoming a better professional in your area. The work environment greatly influences this context, as depending on your job, it is important to have a quiet and solitary space to do your best work.

The Importance of a Work Relationship in Determining Whether a Job Is a Right for You

Maintaining a good work relationship with your coworkers and boss can assist you in determining whether a particular job is right for you. If you work with people you enjoy, trust, and feel you can rely on during difficult times, you are much more likely to stay with the company and give your all each day. 
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If you do not have a positive work relationship with your coworkers or boss, this can be a significant indicator that your job is not a good right for you, as it will prevent you from performing at your best and being engaged in your work in an interactive manner. However, you're more likely to be happy and successful in your career if you work in an environment that makes you feel valued, respected, and engaged.

Why You Should Consider Your Happiness and Mental Well-being in Choosing a Career

Feeling happy with your career and having a good mental well-being becomes second nature after you've discovered what you like about it. This not only helps you to enjoy your time at work but also allows you to learn new skills and be more productive, enhancing your chances of rising up the professional ladder. 
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The significance of happiness and mental well-being in your profession influences not just your work, but your whole life. Choose a career that you enjoy, one that you feel has potential for growth and one that you can be passionate about.

Interesting Trends in Career Choice Among Young Students

According to a study by the British medium PR Newswire, nine out of 10 people between the ages of 21 and 65 say they regret having made a hasty decision in their career choice. The study explains that many young people choose a university course at random because they don't know what they want to do. This social behavior is due to the fear of running out of time.

Career Happiness Tip Takeaway

The best career choice you can make is one where you feel comfortable as a person and as a professional. Do not focus only on a high salary but also on a career path with opportunities for growth, personal development, and large projects to gain experience