Not sure about a new job? What's holding you back

Reading time: 3 minutes

You're not the only one who's torn — that's exactly the problem

Three out of four working Brits dream of a different job at some point. Half of them think about it seriously. And yet: most people simply stay where they are. Not because their current job is so brilliant, but because doubting feels easier than changing.

The problem is that "thinking about it" isn't action. It's procrastination in a smart jacket.

The doubts you (probably) recognise

• "What if it doesn't work out?" The familiar job feels safe, even though it's long since stopped being enjoyable. But consider this: everything that feels familiar now was once new too. Your current job was exciting on day one as well.
• "Aren't I too old for this?" A stubborn but outdated idea. Switching careers after your forties or fifties really isn't unusual — and certainly not impossible. This fear tends to come more from your surroundings (family, a concerned partner) than from the job market itself.
• "I don't even know what I actually want." It's fine not to know exactly where you want to go yet. That doesn't need to become clear all at once — the first step is often simply exploring what's out there.

Why now is the moment to think it through

Dissatisfaction with salary and too few opportunities for growth are the two most commonly cited reasons for changing jobs. Both are things you can often resolve faster by making a move than by waiting for your current employer to offer something better on their own. Nearly half of working Brits say they'd simply switch given an attractive offer — so the willingness is there, it's just that first step that's often missing.

From doubting to doing: 3 small steps

1. Put your reason on paper. Why exactly do you want to leave? Salary, growth, atmosphere, the work itself? A concrete reason is easier to act on than a vague gut feeling.
2. Test the market, with no obligation. You don't have to apply right away. See what's out there, what it might bring, and whether it excites you or not.
3. Make sure you're ready to move the moment the opportunity arises. Nothing is more frustrating than stumbling upon the perfect vacancy with a CV that hasn't been updated in two years.

Ready to take that first, no-obligation step?

You don't need to quit your current job straight away to find out where you stand in the job market. Start with an up-to-date, professional CV — then you'll be ready the moment you spot an opportunity worth considering. With the CV-Refresher, you upload your current CV and get a fresh, professional version in just a few minutes, without having to apply for anything right away.

Take the first step with the CV-Refresher →

In short

• 3 out of 4 Brits dream of a different job at some point — most never act on it.
• "Too old" for a career switch is a myth, not a fact.
• Salary and growth opportunities are the main reasons people switch jobs.
• An up-to-date CV is the easiest first step, with no strings attached.