KNOW WHEN TO MOVE ON

MORE than half of Aussie workers feel they are stuck in their job or have settled for a less-thanideal career. The research from SEEK also reveals only a quarter believe their job allows them to do what they do best.

Psychologist Sabina Read, who features on SEEK’s new television series Dream Job, says workers who might benefit from a career change often are held back by barriers such as a fear of the unknown, self-doubt, financial concerns or a perceived lack of experience.

She warns, however, that staying in a job that does not align with personal values and strengths can have high costs for a worker’s emotional, psychological, physical and relational wellbeing.

“We don’t need to complete a formal assessment to tell us it’s time to consider a career change or job move,” Read says. “Simply by being aware of the way we feel and behave when we think about work, spend time in our job or reflect on the day that’s been can give us a pretty good indication of how our job impacts us.

“Of course, no job is perfect but if we are spending more time feeling anxious, bored, disengaged, uncommitted, resentful or fearful than fulfilled and engaged, it’s probably time to take stock and to better understand what aspects of work fill us up and which elements erode us.

“All too often humans feel the need to hit rock bottom before we seriously consider change.”

Read says unhappy workers often first took their job because of pres- sures to provide financially, to do the “right thing” by others, to keep their parents happy or fit in with perceived social norms.

Others believed there were no other options available at the time.

When choosing a new job, she says it is important not to think in terms of absolutes.

“There is no perfect job and it’s unlikely that any one role will meet all your needs,” she says.

“What we desire in our 20s will probably be different to what we seek in later years.”