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Can you feel the change of seasons yet? (Or maybe that was back in February with all that lovely, warm weather!) Spring starts on March 20 and already the daffodils are poking up through new earth around the neighborhood. What about you? Are you considering something new on your career path? Or looking for some growth in your current position?

This month we are taking a break from creating our job search tools to explore career growth. If you’ve been in the workforce for a while, it’s not unusual to feel a bit restless from time to time. But before you make a big change, it’s helpful to dig for some details first. Below are some questions to help your ideas grow.

1-Why did I choose my current position? Figuring out how you got to where you are right now can be valuable. Does your career path tell a solid story? Can you tell why one job led to the next? If so, you may just be restless in your current position and need more challenge.

2-Why am I thinking of leaving? If you’re not happy, figure out whether it’s the work you do, your career path, or the industry in general. Maybe the work has gone stale, or you’re in a toxic environment. Finding a similar position at a different company may be your answer. You can keep using the skills and experience you’ve built and give yourself fresh perspective.

3-What are my core values? Knowing what’s truly important to you can help you find the type of work that would be satisfying. Think about past successes. What did you do and why was it rewarding? Make note of the skills you used and what you loved doing. Some people find it helpful to write a personal mission statement. It’s one or two sentences about what makes you get out of bed in the morning. If you find your dissatisfaction has nothing to do with your current position or your career, a mission statement can bring clarity.

Bonus Question: What does my perfect day/life look like? Go ahead and dream! If time, talent, and money were no object, what would you do? How would you spend your days? Do you see any patterns that would help you learn more about what you love to do?

Ask yourself these questions and see how your answers mesh with your current situation. Maybe you’ll see overlap, maybe not. Either way, you’ll have some creative ideas growing.

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