Don't Quit Your Job.....Yet!
Now that the economy has picked up, many people are considering
making a job change. Before you take that leap its important to
consider why you are leaving, what you are trying to accomplish,
and ensuring that you've exhausted all avenues at your current
place of employment.
Don't get me wrong, I am all for moving up and moving out. If
the job you have is not meeting your needs there is nothing
wrong with searching for greener pastures. But looking for a new
job is not an easy task. It requires a lot of time and energy.
There is a lot of work involved with the job search process.
Unfortunately for many people look for a new job as a knee-jerk
response to dissatisfaction at their current job. The good news
is that a new job doesn't necessarily mean a new company. Let's
examine several options you may want to consider before
submitting that resignation letter.
1. Know why you are leaving. Is it the money? Lack of growth
potential? Personality conflicts with co-workers? Company
policies? Invest time to understand why you want to leave your
current employer and what you hope to find at your new employer.
If these reasons are not clear to you, you may find yourself in
the exact same situation within months of starting at your new
job.
2. Run TO something, not FROM something. If you have a dream
job, and the opportunity appears for you to get that job, then
go for it! All of us should be so lucky to know exactly what we
want to do and have a chance to do it. But if you're leaving
because something at your current company is not right, your
desire go somewhere, anywhere, may affect your ability
objectively weigh a job offer.
3. Don't let money rule. You can always leave your current job,
go somewhere else, and make more money. Its no secret that
companies generally pay more to woo new comers. But think about
the other financial compensation you may have at your current
company. Things like vesting in the retirement plan, stock
options, employer's 401K match, and better benefits. Dollar for
dollar, these things be worth a lot more than a higher salary.
4. Look for other career opportunities within your current
company. If you've built a decent reputation at your current
company investigate other career opportunities there before
looking elsewhere. Most companies have an internal job posting
system that will allow you to apply for positions in other parts
of the company. Switching to another department within you
current company gives the much needed change that comes from
starting a new job, but you won't lose any of the benefits
(vesting, vacation, etc.) that you've built up over time.
5. Look to change your current work situation. Maybe there are
personality conflicts in your current team. Maybe you're working
a great deal of overtime or have a ghastly long commute. Examine
every facet of what you don't like about your current job and
see if there is a solution that will change your situation for
the better. Can you arrange to work from home one day a week?
Have you developed friendships with the people in your
department? Have you found a mentor who can help guide you
through career decisions? All of these little changes can make a
huge impact on how you feel about your job.
6. Look to other areas of your life. Your problem may not be
your job after all. If your spending habits are out of control,
getting a job that pays more is not going to solve your problem.
While you're examining things that are wrong with your job also
invest time to see what in your life is not as you would like it
to be. Problems in your personal life can affect your perception
of your professional life (and vice versa).
7. Get more involved. Having a sense of ownership in what's
going on at your company may change your perception. These days
many employers are looking to their employees for feedback about
how to make things better. Join a task team, help plan the
annual picnic, or write articles for the company newsletter.
This type of activity will get you increased visibility and may
lead to future opportunities.
8. Become a mentor. Unless you are at the very bottom of the
totem pole, there is always someone younger and newer within the
company who can benefit from what you've learned. Your
experience and knowledge will help another individual avoid some
of the mistakes you've made. Sharing your experience with others
is a great way to show yourself how valuable your experience
with the company has been. Plus, showing a strong aptitude for
mentoring could also pave the way for a team lead or manager
position.
9. Get to know people higher on the food chain. Managers,
executives, and VPs all have a different perspective of the
organization than the average employee. Talking with them may
help you see the bigger picture and understand better how your
role fits in. In addition, you can learn about their rise in the
organization to help you set your own career path.
10. Check out your company's subsidiaries and affiliates.
Sometimes you can leave the company without really leaving the
company. Acquisitions and mergers have created unique
opportunities that enable you to go to other companies that your
current employer may have a vested interest in. Working for a
"friend of the family" may allow you to retain your seniority,
benefits and salary while at the same time working in a new
environment.
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