Is It Time for a Career Move? 5 Questions to Ask Yourself

There’s something about fall that feels like a reset.

Summer vacations are over. Routines return. The final stretch of the year is in sight. And for some people, getting back into the rhythm of work brings a realization with it:

I think I’m ready for a career change. 

Maybe you’ve been feeling it for months. Maybe nothing is particularly wrong with your current role, but it doesn’t feel quite right anymore. Or maybe September has simply given you the motivation to finally think about a change you’ve been putting off.

That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s time to hand in your resignation.

But it might mean it’s time to start asking yourself some questions.

1. What’s making me want a change?

Before you start scrolling job boards, figure out what’s actually behind the feeling.

Are you bored? Underutilized? Ready for more responsibility? Frustrated by your manager? Looking for better compensation? Missing opportunities to learn? Wanting more flexibility?

Or are you simply having a particularly difficult few weeks?

There’s an important difference between wanting to leave something and wanting to move toward something better. Understanding what’s driving your desire for change will help you determine what you should be looking for next.

2. Is there still room for me to grow here?

Sometimes what you need is a new job. 

But sometimes what you need is a new role with the employer that you are currently with. 

Before assuming you have to leave, consider whether there are opportunities to take on different responsibilities, work toward a promotion, learn a new skill or move into another area of the organization.

If you otherwise like your company, your team and the work you do, it may be worth exploring what could change where you are.

If you’ve already had those conversations and there simply isn’t anywhere left to go, that tells you something too.

3. What do I want to be different in my next role?

It’s easy to make a list of everything you don’t want.

A better job search starts with clarity around what you do want.

Think about the work you want to spend more time doing. The kind of manager you work well with. The responsibilities you’d like to own. The skills you want to develop. The compensation you’re targeting. The amount of flexibility you need.

Consider your non-negotiables, but also identify where you’re willing to compromise.

You don’t need to have your entire career mapped out. You do need enough clarity to recognize a good opportunity (for you) when you see one.

4. Am I ready for the reality of a job search?

Wanting a new job and being ready to look for one aren’t quite the same thing.

A thoughtful job search takes time and energy. You’ll need to update your resume and LinkedIn profile, research opportunities, have conversations, prepare for interviews and potentially navigate some rejection along the way.

There may also be practical considerations. How quickly could you realistically make a move? Are there upcoming bonuses, projects or personal commitments that affect your timing? What notice would you need to give?

You don’t need to wait for the perfect moment. But understanding your timing can help you approach the search intentionally rather than reactively.

5. If the right opportunity appeared tomorrow, would I seriously consider it?

This may be the simplest question of all.

Imagine someone called you tomorrow with an opportunity that offered the work, compensation, leadership and environment you’ve been looking for.

Would you want to hear more?

If the answer is an immediate yes, you may be more ready for a change than you think.

And importantly, being ready to explore doesn’t mean you’ve committed to leaving.

You can have conversations. Learn what’s out there. Meet recruiters. Apply selectively. Interview for a role that genuinely interests you.

Exploring your options is exactly that: exploring.

So, where do you start?

You don’t need to resign before beginning a job search. In fact, your first few steps can be relatively small.

• + Update your resume so it reflects what you’ve accomplished recently, not just the responsibilities you’ve held. 
• + Refresh your LinkedIn profile. 
• + Take a look at current postings to understand what employers are looking for and where your experience fits.
• + Start reconnecting with your network.

Reach out to people you trust in your industry. Let a few people know you’d be open to hearing about the right opportunity. And connect with recruiters who specialize in your field.

You don’t have to be actively applying to 20 jobs a week to begin making a move.

Sometimes the first step is simply deciding you’re open to what might come next.

Thinking about what’s next?

If marketing, communications and creative work is your field, we’d like to get to know you.

Visit the Smart, Savvy + Associates job board to see the roles we’re currently recruiting for. And if nothing feels quite right today, apply to our Future Opportunities posting to introduce yourself and get your resume into our network.

Even if the right role isn’t available today, when one that might be a good fit comes along, we’ll know how to reach you.