The road to nowhere

industry sector is not growing and the management are not inspired or creative enough to rebuild.

Even if an opportunity arises you may not even want it — not if it means extended hours or heavy bouts of travel to dull cities.

In short, if you wouldn’t want your boss’s job, you could be trying to climb the wrong ladder.

The primary reason people hang on to unsatisfactory jobs is fear of the unknown, because the unfamiliar and the upheaval makes us nervous. How can you make uncharted territory less daunting? Remember, if you only do what you already know how to do, your world grows pretty stale.

Before you undertake a complete makeover of your career, know the alternative you are considering thoroughly. Learn about it, research it, talk to people in that field at all levels you can. Check out the prospective company on the Glassdoor website. Shine some light on to the unknown and, hopefully, if you’re still drawn to it, it is more likely to be a good fit.

You probably need to keep your current job during the transition to another career, as you go job-hunting while at work. That means you need to be quick and efficient to avoid letting down your current employer. Sign up for notifications from job sites that have positions you might want, so that you are alerted of anything suitable.

More businesses today are accepting applications online, allowing you to deliver your compelling initial pitch out of working hours.

Prospective employers can only physically meet you during the week, so try to group as many interviews in a single day as possible, taking it as holiday or a sick day if you must. This avoids sneaking off for mid-day interviews.

No matter how depressing your current position may be, don’t burn any bridges. Whether it’s for a decent reference now or in the future, your old employer may come in handy, so try to avoid any ill-feeling.

Bear in mind, one day you may be back to buy the company, and run it much better.