The right time is your time.
I can’t imagine another year in this job. I will make a change when the time is right.
I can’t switch careers right now. It’s not the right time.
Right now is not the best time to look for work.
As a career coach, I routinely hear statements like these from professionals who are unsatisfied in their careers, but also anxious about making a change. Most of the time the root of the problem has little to do with timing at all. Instead, people’s anxieties are wrapped up with feelings of guilt about leaving a prestigious job and abandoning unhappy colleagues or an unfinished project. Others lack confidence that they can actually secure a position where they can be happy and thrive. Ultimately, most people come to realize that there will never be an ideal time to change jobs. The only thing they can do is change their perspective and prioritize their time in life enough to pursue the best situation for themselves.
This said, a recent experience with a client reminded me that nothing is absolute. There are times where shouldering on with a job search may not be best.
The client was an executive director of a national service agency who recently lost a young member of their extended family in a tragic accident. The entire family was devastated, and my client realized she was unable to lead her agency, care for her family, and look for a job at the same time. So, she put a pause on her career search.
Eventually, the grief began to subside and she realized she was ready to resume the job search, this time with unclouded vision and a commitment to lead an organization that empowers youth to solve complicated social problems worldwide.
In the weeks that followed, interviews led nowhere until a recruiter presented an opportunity where the mission, roles, and responsibilities were fully aligned. Moreover, the agency had the name recognition, financial resources, and international connections necessary to create innovative and sustainable solutions to some of the toughest problems in the world. To say she was excited is an understatement.
It was easy for her to say yes. However, she developed anxiety about timing her departure and telling her colleagues she was resigning with less lead time than might be ideal for her employer (weeks vs months). She feared people would be angry with her. Fortunately, with coaching, she found her confidence and told her board members and colleagues the truth -- she was resigning to pursue a once in a lifetime opportunity to improve the lives of young people around the world.
To her surprise, instead of complaining, people acknowledged the good work she had done as the director to expand the agency and develop the talent that was ready to manage operations until a replacement was hired. She was even able to use banked vacation time to enjoy a tropical escape with family before her final day.
In short, changing your job is not about when the time is right. It is about making the right choices at each step along your timeline.
What’s the right next step for your career? Schedule a no-obligation, complimentary, 30-minute coaching session with Nancy McCabe. Click here to begin.
You’re Hired! is a series featuring career transformation stories.