We’ve all known someone who got fed up with their job and decided to make a move. "More money" "Bigger staff" "Better opportunity" were among the reasons they gave for making the change. Soon, however, they’re spinning a different tale. The new job isn’t what they expected. They’re not happy with the new company either. They want to move on to another job, or worse, are thinking of asking for their old position back.
Potential employers don’t view frequent career moves as negatively as they once did. If your resume shows frequent moves, but also proves a path of increasing responsibility and accomplishments, job moves can make sense. But if your resume shows that you hop thoughtlessly from one job to another, any potential employer is going to ask questions. If you get an interview.
It’s best then, to carefully reflect on your options before making a job change. Prime in considering options is determining exactly what is motivating your job search.
So, why are you looking for a new job?
Had a recent blow-up with your supervisor? A rejected project proposal? An under-performing team? Budget shot to pieces? A commute that makes you crazy? Do you want to make more money? Have more responsibility? The opportunity to build your own team and staff? A chance to make a difference? You hate getting out of bed when faced with what you have planned for the day?
No matter what your initial motivation, it’s vital that you consider those motivations carefully in light of both your current and potential jobs. If you don’t take the time to analyze why you want to move, you could easily end up in a situation worse than your current one.
Think about it. Can you identify aspects of your current position that could change and make you decide to stay? Have you contributed to your current problems and is there anything you can do to resolve them?
Could a calm, reflective discussion with your supervisor result in action plan that would avert future confrontations? Or have you tried everything you can think of to no avail? Was that proposal realistic? Was it researched well and supported by appropriate documentation? Are your management and leadership skills what they need to be to effectively lead your team?
And, then maybe something could be done about the logistics. Could you work from home two or three days a week to minimize the commute? Could you change your hours to shorten your drive time during non-rush hours? Find someone to share your commute with?
Is there opportunity for promotion or advancement where you are? If you don’t see an opportunity, can you make one? Success is frequently based on the "see a need and fill it" principle.
What is it about your job that is making you miserable? The company’s work environment? How you spend your day? Do you feel stuck in an office when you long to get out and work on the floor, meeting people, talking? Are you crunching numbers when you’d rather be selling? Do you find yourself stagnating in a field that you’ve outgrown or just fell into? One that doesn’t satisfy your need to be challenged or learn? Have your career goals changed since you accepted your current position?
If you’ve identified your true motivation and decided the right choice for you is a job move, then go for it. If you decide to make the attempt to improve your current situation first, that’s OK too. Either way, your well-thought-out decision will ultimately benefit you and your current or new employer. And it will look good on your resume.
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