Are You Truly Motivated To Change Your Tech Career?
Software Development Career Advice
Knowing how ready you are to actually make a change is important before you take any action that could alter the course of your life and career.
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Are You Ready to Make a Change in Your Tech Career?
Are you frustrated with your tech job these days but find yourself doing nothing to change it after work? Then, the morning comes, and you go back to complaining about it. This behavior can be a sign that you may not be ready yet to make a change.
When I transitioned from software consulting to career coaching for tech professionals, I encountered this situation frequently. People would book a consultation with me, thinking they were ready for a significant career change, or they were really frustrated, but upon deeper conversation, it became clear they weren’t fully ready. I started using a technique called motivational interviewing to assess their readiness for change. Sometimes they were ready – but sometimes they definitely weren’t.
In this episode, I’d like to help you determine whether you’re truly ready to make a change in your tech career or if the discomfort is there but it’s not yet the right time. Here are five stages of readiness for career change that can help you figure out how prepared you are and how far along this journey you’ve come.
Stage 1: Contemplation
At this stage, you’re just thinking about a career change. You might be browsing LinkedIn, noticing other people with different careers, promotions you don’t have, or skills you wish you possessed. Maybe you see others working for prestigious companies and wish you were in their shoes. However, it hasn’t bothered you enough to take any concrete steps. Right now, it’s mostly fear of missing out (FOMO), and you’re subconsciously weighing the pros and cons without making any actual moves.
Stage 2: Mild Irritation
As you move into this stage, you begin to notice a recurring pattern of frustration with your job. You start daydreaming about different positions, promotions, new skills, or even quitting your job. The daily tasks and the work environment are more than just a little frustrating—they’re starting to get under your skin more frequently. This stage is marked by a growing sense of dissatisfaction.
Stage 3: Active Exploration
When you reach the stage of active exploration, you’re beginning to take steps towards change. You might be researching alternate career paths online, talking to your manager about promotions, or exploring what it would take to make a shift. You could be taking online courses, attending meetups, and reaching out to your network or colleagues to assess the feasibility of a change. This stage is where you start gathering information and exploring your options more seriously.
If you’re thinking about making a career change and are unsure if it’s the right time, I offer career coaching that might help. Additionally, you can join my YouTube membership or Patreon, where you’ll find a supportive community of people striving for thriving, healthy careers.
Stage 4: Serious Consideration
In this stage, you’re seriously evaluating the possibility of a career change. You might be taking assessments to measure your readiness, not just in terms of skills but also considering the broader impact on your life. You’re likely evaluating how this change will affect your goals, relationships, and overall lifestyle. This stage involves creating a roadmap and considering concrete actions like coaching, training, or having difficult conversations with your boss.
Stage 5: Urgency and Desperation
Reaching the stage of urgency and desperation is a clear sign that a change is necessary. If you haven’t made a move by this point, you might experience trouble sleeping, develop unhealthy coping mechanisms or addictions, and frequently complain to family or friends about your situation. A sense of impending doom might start to set in, leaving you feeling like you can’t continue much longer in your current state. When clients come to me expressing these thoughts and behaviors, I know it’s critical for them to act before something worse happens and they lose control over their options.
Conclusion
So, how ready are you to make a change in your career? Is it really time to take action, or is it just something you’re curious about? If you find yourself in the fourth or fifth stages, what’s holding you back?
About the THRIVING TECHNOLOGIST show
On YouTube and all major podcast networks, Jayme shares teamwork and leadership strategies, guidelines for healthy company culture, and stories about real projects so you can have a sustainable career in the software industry.
Jayme Edwards
A family man and veteran of nearly 40 software projects, Jayme experienced many wins and losses over his career as an architect and consultant.
Now he's coaching software developers, managers, and business owners to overcome challenges in the IT industry - so they keep growing.