Recently, I've been compelled to address this notion that leaving an existing situation, only to be drawn towards the exact same situation in a different location, will somehow make things different. I've been talking a lot about this in career sessions and on my IG page. Here is my PSA for job seekers:
DON'T APPLY FOR ANOTHER ROLE THAT LOOKS EXACTLY LIKE THE JOB YOU WANT TO LEAVE!!! YOU HATE THAT JOB.
It's counter productive. I encourage people not to be desperate when thinking about their job transition. Do the research to make sure that you land in the role that aligns with your career aspirations and development. There are a few things you can do to ensure this doesn't happen to you:
Be clear about why you want to leave your existing job - obviously there is something about what you are currently doing that no longer brings you fulfillment. Know what those things are before you start applying so that you don't risk ending up where you started.
Know what you are looking forward to in the next opportunity - Have a plan about the things you are expecting for your new role and make sure those items are reflected in your resume BEFORE you start applying. This may require some research on your end to make sure you are properly aligned.
Do your research - before blindly (or wildly) posting for new roles, have a clear understanding of what is out there. Get organized about your approach and make sure that every posting aligns to your personal goals, development plan, financial needs and core values.
Make sure your resume is up for the task ahead - People tend to ignore the necessity of a strong and relevant resume. If you haven't updated yours since you were last hired, you probably have missed some key opportunities to capture your accomplishments or significant professional milestones. Before sending your resume out into the world, make sure you give it the attention that it needs, so that it can represent you effectively.
If you are struggling to identify what your next steps are, or how to approach your job search and resume updates, enroll in the Discover You! program. It's 8 weeks of career bootcamp to help you find your way out of the un-stuckness (yes that's a real word). I also encourage you to make sure your resume is a fortified marketing tool. If you're not sure if your resume can stand up to recruiter scrutiny, or if it would benefit from a full review prior to posting, schedule a consult for the Resume reBrand.
Listen, I completely understand being unhappy in a job that feels like it's going nowhere. Just make sure that your quest to find fulfillment doesn't get derailed by lack of planning and understanding. As I always say...you have options. Pick one (wisely). You can do this. You have permission.
These are absolutely my thoughts...
~ratedpg