This year saw my twentieth anniversary of leaving school. Twenty years! I don’t understand how this is actually possible because it really does feel like only yesterday. I really had no clue what kind of career I wanted and so didn’t go to college or sixth form and instead chose to get a job straight away. I have been working ever since.
I have had different jobs over the years. Some I enjoyed but none of them ever felt like they were really me. It is only recently that I have finally found something that I truly love to do. It’s crazy really, because I have found my calling in a job and hopefully now a career, in something that didn’t even exist when I left school. Social media didn’t exist twenty years ago. So I kind of believe that I had to wait for my time to come. And that time is now.
I have always been a fan of social media since My Space and Facebook came on the scene some years ago. Then when Twitter evolved I jumped on that bandwagon and the rest is history. It is through this blog and my experience of using social media to promote it that I now do this for a job. I love it and really can’t see me doing anything else. This is no my chosen career path and I’m really excited for what the future holds.
#NoMore9to5
Vorwerk are suppliers of superior household products and their team have asked me to take part in their #NoMore9to5 campaign. This campaign is designed to raise awareness of how people in the UK really feel about their career.
Did you know that only thirteen percent of people really enjoy their job?
This really shocked me and I feel truly blessed that I am one of those thirteen percent. It also saddens me at the same time. We spend a lot of time at work and it’s such a shame that so many people are out there, going to work each day and not enjoying what they are doing. Surely life is too short for that? One in 20 (6%) see no benefits of their job, and nearly one in ten (9%) workers go as far as hating their jobs according to new research from Vorwerk. It’s obvious from these statistics that I am quite clearly in the minority.
Do we get to a certain age and realise we aren’t happy? Or is always that way? For most of the people surveyed, the career crisis peaks in the run-up to turning 30, with 29-and-four-fifths the age when most people want to change career. Is this the fear of getting towards middle age perhaps? Those in East Anglia are the most unhappy with their career choices with half of the region wanting a change (49%), followed by the North East with 48%, and the North West with 46%.
Did you know that only 20% of the UK has actually taken the plunge to change their career and their happiness? Why so? The top barriers to change are the same for both men and women, but males are 6% more risk averse than their female counterparts.
Money is the common motivator to change for both sexes, that’s probably no surprise if we’re completely honest! But it seems women are 7% more career motivated than men, and it is men that are most likely to want to change career for an easier life. Men are looking for a less pressured, more flexible, and less career-focused role than women considering changing careers. Go girls!
Speaking about the findings, careers expert and author of ‘How To Get a Job You Love’, John Lees said:
“What makes sad reading is that there are an awful lot of people unhappy at work, and not feeling like they are getting anything out of their job. There are also vast numbers of people that want change, but stumble at the first hurdle and don’t know what direction to take.
“The good news is that it is possible to make the change – good background research, a burst of self-confidence, and a calculated risk can really pay off.
“I’d urge anyone unhappy in their job to take some time out and really think about what they would like to do instead. There are plenty of structured work opportunities that allow you to work for yourself while taking on a new career and with the rise of the portfolio.”
So what about the future?
For the fifth of us (20%) that have branched out into a new area, the good news is that the other side looks good – with the most common emotions associated with changing career being excitement (42%) and liberation (35%).
Thomas Henningsson from Vorwerk says:
“We are seeing increasing numbers of disgruntled employees looking for a fresh start enquiring about direct selling with us – where people can carve out a new career but in a structured way without the risks of going it alone.
“Whether you are looking for a total career change, to earn money in your spare time, or simply to add another stream to your portfolio career, we’d urge you to get in touch with Vorwerk and see how we can help you.”
Top Tips For Changing Your Career
Take a look at these tips from John Lees about changing your career. It might not be as unrealistic as you think.
- Look hard at the things which get in the way of change – risk, uncertainty, lack of confidence. Where have you overcome these barriers before?
- Look at the things you most enjoy about work, and imagine where else you can do the same things.
- Pack your lifeboat before you jump ship – catalogue your skills, know-how and experience so that you can match them to new opportunities.
- Investigate alternative ways of working, including self-employment, as well as conventional jobs.
- Research as if you were finding out for someone else. Talk to people about their experiences, and keep asking ‘who else should I be talking to’?
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I know I am lucky enough to love my job but it wasn’t until I read through these statistics that made me realise how truly lucky I really am. I am in such a small percentage of people who love what they do each day. It’s made me super grateful and I am now even more excited to see where my chosen career path will take me.
How do you feel about your career? Are you happy? Or are you in the 45% of people that would love to change? Let me know in the comments, I’d love to know.
To find out more about career opportunities with Vorwerk visit www.kobold.vorwerk.co.uk/career
Vorwerk provides you with the products and know-how to set up your own business, offering you the chance to be part of the next chapter of this European success story. Allowing you to carve out a full-time career or top-up your income.
*Research was carried out by OnePoll between 11th-15th August 2017, among a representative sample of 2,000 adults.
Post written in collaboration with Vorwerk
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