Your current executive role is no longer fulfilling. You’re overworked, underutilized and ready for your next career challenge. Your lack of satisfaction is not only negatively affecting your career; it’s also having a ripple effect across your personal life. You’re distracted, frustrated, and unable to fully enjoy the things that once made you happy.
While you recognize that it’s time for an executive career change, you’re stuck. Here are four reasons you’re still in the wrong executive role.
1. You’re unclear about your next executive career step.
You’ve known for some time that you’re in the wrong executive role. While you’ve been successful, your background and strengths are not in alignment with your current job description. You would love a job that challenges you and fully leverages your diverse skill set, but you’re unclear about what you would like to do.
If you’re like most executives, you have a broad range of skills that could be applied to a number of different roles. Don’t let uncertainty about your career direction hold you back. There are numerous resources available, from books and online tools to executive career strategists, to help you determine the right fit for you. If you’re unhappy in your current role, making a commitment to clarify your next step can dramatically improve your career, as well as your life.
2. You’re afraid of making a career change.
You’re miserable in your current executive role, but at least it’s familiar. You know all of the players and have learned to avoid the political landmines. While part of you fantasizes about finding an ideal career opportunity, another part of you fears giving up a secure (albeit undesirable) role for something uncertain.
It’s perfectly natural to resist change. As humans, we all do this. But if you don’t step outside your comfort zone, you’ll never experience true career success and satisfaction. Making an executive career change does not have to be overwhelming. By creating a strategic plan and taking incremental steps, you’ll make an informed decision that leaves you feeling confident about your next career step.
3. You don’t have time to make a career transition.
You would love to find a better executive career opportunity, but you don’t have time to commit to an executive job search. You’re already overwhelmed by your personal and professional responsibilities. It’s difficult to imagine finding time to network, polish your interview skills, and pursue new executive career opportunities.
Time is certainly a limited resource. But contrary to popular belief, seeking a new executive career opportunity is not a full-time job. If you’re strategic about your approach, you’ll be far more efficient. Carve out short blocks of time for value-added activities, such as reconnecting with former colleagues. Each brief discussion will have a cumulative effect on the overall process without consuming a lot of time.
4. You don’t believe you’re qualified for the executive role you really want.
You know what you’d really like to do next, but you don’t believe anyone will hire you. While you have a strong background, you lack confidence in your ability to position yourself for the job you want. Rather than risk the rejection, you’ve chosen to remain in the wrong executive role.
It’s possible that you are not qualified for your ideal executive role. It’s more likely, however, that you’re unprepared to pursue it. What you need is a powerful marketing strategy to help you articulate your unique value. Throughout the years, I’ve seen numerous executives land roles they weren’t “technically” qualified for. But with the right career story, they were able to differentiate themselves from their competition and demonstrate their potential. If you truly want to take that next step, invest in a plan to get yourself there.
Staying in an unfulfilling executive role can be soul-crushing. It’s not easy to make a career transition, particularly when you’re balancing other high-priority responsibilities, but with the right strategy and execution, you can find relief. If you’re ready for a new executive role, don’t give up. Leverage your resources to overcome obstacles and achieve the career success and satisfaction you deserve.