How Career Checkups Can Help Determine if Your Career Path is Healthy

Could your career benefit from a checkup?

Checkups are a normal part of most people's lives. Many people routinely get checkups from their doctors, and auto tune-ups from their trusted mechanics. However, few people seem to engage in a career checkup. Unfortunately, your failure to make sure that you're on the right career path can negatively impact your mental health and job satisfaction.

In this article, we will explain how regular career checkups can help you assess the health and viability of your current career path. We'll also examine key steps you can take to conduct a career check and explore strategies you can use to switch careers if you determine that it is time for a change.

Mental health and job satisfaction is a growing priority

Over the course of the last several years, tens of millions of workers left their jobs for new opportunities. Their reasons for quitting included a desire for greater work flexibility, a need for increased compensation to offset rising inflationary pressures, and a search for more job fulfillment.

Another common theme that has been cited for the steady stream of resignations is that workers are just burned out. The last few years have been incredibly stressful for workers in many areas of the economy, and that stress has contributed to burnout that fueled health problems, mental health concerns, and a rising tide of depression. In response, millions of America's workers have decided that they need a healthier work environment and career path.

Why you should conduct regular career checks

Wharton professor Adam Grant is an advocate of the idea that everyone should periodically conduct overall life checkups twice a year. The idea is to schedule these self-assessments at regular intervals, to basically take stock of where you are in life and ensure that you are still on a healthy path.

That same approach can be taken with your career and may potentially help you identify unhealthy aspects of your current career trajectory early enough that you can make necessary changes before you find yourself suffering from burnout or other work-related problems.

How to conduct a career check

One of the best ways to perform this career path self-assessment is to sit down and ask yourself some basic questions. To get the most out of your assessment, make sure you are conducting it at a scheduled time with no other distractions. You will need to focus your attention on this self-assessment if you want to ensure that you are truly answering these questions as honestly as possible.

It is also a good idea to keep a written record of your self-assessments, in much the same way that your doctor tracks information from your regular medical checkups. This record can help ensure that you are using the same expectations and metrics each time you conduct your career check, which may provide a more accurate assessment over time.

Related reading: What to do When You're Faking Happiness at Work

1. Are you still feeling challenged by the work you do?

It is easy to become disillusioned and frustrated when your job becomes so routine that you are no longer challenged by the work. That can lead to boredom, dissatisfaction, and even a loss of productivity – all of which can become unhealthy over time. If your work no longer provides you with any sort of challenge, it may be time to consider a change.

2. Does your career still align with your personal values?

Most people change as time passes, and those changes can include their personal values. If the company you work for has not evolved in line with your values, chances are that you will feel less fulfilled at work. In recent years, millions of workers have realized that they value things like creativity, flexibility, and work-life balance more than they value the stability their current jobs may provide. Think about your values and how well they align with your current job environment.

3. Is this the career path you chose?

It is also important to think about whether this is even the career path you intended to pursue. Sometimes, people end up accepting jobs because they are available, even if they are not an appropriate steppingstone on their chosen career path. If your current job is a diversion from your desired path, chances are that it may not be the healthiest place for you to be.

4. Is your work environment safe for your mental health?

Have you been struggling with depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues? If so, you are not alone. Tens of millions of Americans have experienced similar struggles in the past few years, as massive changes in the workplace have pushed workers to their limits. If your mental health is being affected by your job, then your current career path is certainly not as healthy as it should be.

5. Is stress from work harming your physical health?

In addition to mental health, you should also think about your physical health. Have you been working extra hours at the office? Is job stress negatively affecting your eating habits or preventing you from getting the exercise you need? Are you struggling to get enough sleep? If you are experiencing any physical ailments that can be traced to your work or schedule, then something needs to change to get you on a healthier path.

6. Do you often find yourself thinking about a career change?

Finally, do you spend a lot of time thinking about how great things would be if you had a different job or career? Does the thought of staying at your current job cause you real discomfort or anxiety? If the idea of changing careers seems more enticing than any thought of staying on your current course, then it is almost a given that your current career path is unhealthy.

How to plan a successful career change

If you have determined that your current career path is unhealthy, the next step is to decide what you are going to do about it. If you have exhausted any options for correcting the status quo at your current job, that leaves one main option: find a new job. Before you embark on a career change, however, you should take steps to make sure that you have a viable plan for success.

Charting a new career course

There are several key steps that you can take to chart your new career course and ensure that you are moving toward a healthier path. They include:

Taking stock of your interests and skills.
Brainstorming ideas for alternative career options. LinkedIn's Career Explorer can be the perfect tool to help you with that process.
Researching job options online, including different jobs in your current industry.
Tapping into your network by letting your contacts know that you are considering a change.
Identifying any skill deficits and developing a plan to enhance your talents.

Learning new skills

Fortunately, learning new skills does not always require a return to school. These days, there are many online skill development opportunities, as well as seminars and certifications from professional groups. Depending on your desired career, you may also be able to learn new skills or enhance existing ones by volunteering or working a side job as a freelancer.

Preparing your resume

Whenever you are considering a career change, you should take the time to update your resume and cover letter to reflect your new aspirations. An updated resume should highlight your talents, skills, experience, and value as a potential employee. If you need assistance with resume enhancement to ensure that your resume sets you apart from the competition, our professional resume-writing services can be the perfect solution.

Perform a regular career check to ensure that you're on the healthiest career path!

As the workplace continues to evolve, it will be increasingly important to periodically conduct a career check to make sure that your career path is still healthy for you. By getting into the habit of regularly assessing your career, you can learn how to detect problems early and make sure that your career path continues to serve your needs.

Once you've assessed your current career path, it's also important to make sure that your resume is continuing to meet your job search needs. Try our free resume critique service for an expert's opinion.

This article was originally written by Ken Chase and was updated by the author in November 2024.