I am a Finance professional with a degree in Management. With a specialization in Securities Research, I wanted to pursue a career in Investment Banking. My first job was a lucrative offer as Financial Advisor from a leading Financial Advisory firm. The job involved offering advice and selling financial products to their clients. I decided to take it up as the offer was attractive, and I had landed it after five months of frantic job hunting. As I began working, the investment banker dream faded into oblivion. Over the years, my job has been rewarding- I have grown well in my career.
However, as I enter the 10th year of my career, I doubt if I want to continue in the same role. I feel that I have outgrown my job, or rather the job has outgrown me. I wonder if I can do anything more in this career path. I am confused, and I would like to seek your guidance to progress further in my career.
Confused Financial Advisor.
Dear Confused Financial Advisor,
Do not fear confusion; you deserve a pat on the back for thinking so much about your career. It is commendable that you have not taken your success for granted. It can sometimes be tempting, but it is often important to look beyond what is visible to understand where they want to go.
Going through the query, it seems like there are multiple layers to this confusion. One: you feel you landed in this position by accident, and that makes you think if this is truly your calling. Two: You are feeling inert. Three: You probably think it is the right time to explore other options, but you are unsure if that would be wise. Four: If this is pandemic-related stress, doubting your capabilities now could also mean facing imposter syndrome. Rule the last one out before taking any more steps.
To know more about the syndrome, read Imposter Syndrome: Myth or Reality?
For all the other strands of confusion, the primary response is: all these thoughts are valid.
So let us go about them one by one. To begin with, all of us do not have the choice or luxury to land a dream job. We make our choices in the beginning based on the avenues we have, the pay package, and the scope. In your case, all these fell in place. So, don’t criticize yourself for taking up something that was not the original choice.
Secondly, since the doubt has set in, you might be wondering if you have to continue being in a career that no longer seems challenging. Again, ask yourself if you have explored all the available paths that might take you to other challenging roles? If yes, then think about where you want yourself to be. It is not about restarting or rebooting. Here it is all about taking into consideration all that can contribute to career growth and pivoting your actions towards reaching the growth path. It is about getting intentional about your career. As a mid-career woman, it is also the right time to think about your career progression. All along, you might have taken a path that came to you, and you were merely following it. But it is also time to direct your path.
Now comes the most detailed part but in simple points. Here is something that you could read before coming up with a plan.
https://hbr.org/2022/01/ask-these-5-questions-to-decide-your-next-career-move.
What next?
Make the decision: Do you want to continue, or do you want to start afresh?
Once you make that choice, take stock: Evaluate your skills, experience, and capabilities. How much will these steer you towards the new goal? Or, if you have decided to continue- what is the next milestone you have set for yourself?
Confide in a mentor: Tell the person about the decision and seek guidance. Ask the person for a neutral take on the possibilities and the other choice.
What you need to do: Have a list of action points, categorizing them as short-term and long-term actions.
Getting intentional about your career holds the key to the success you wish to see. It also makes working more rewarding, helps approach goals, and improves productivity.
Turn a new leaf with focus, intentionality, and confidence. All the best!
