Bryony Gibson, Managing Director of Bryony Gibson Consulting, shares her thoughts on what you need to consider before changing jobs.
The end of summer is a time when many people start to feel a career itch. There are lots of reasons that can trigger the search for a new job, but when the usual factors are combined with summer holidays being over and exam results out, it’s easy to see why it can feel like the perfect moment to make a move.
Whatever the catalyst, when working out what’s best, the most important thing to do is to make sure you know and understand what truly motivates you.
We spend half our waking life at work, so getting satisfaction should be the priority. If you aren’t happy then maybe it really is time to weigh up your options.
It’s important to be honest. Start by asking yourself a few questions along the line of: What are you good at? What are you passionate about? What do you like about your current job? What is important to you?
You need to work out what matters to you most in the longer-term; and if you’re lucky enough to match this with your strengths, then it should become a lot easier to figure out which direction leads to your goals.
Things to consider
People can grow out of even the best jobs over time. Sometimes you need a change or a new challenge to reinvigorate yourself, but before you begin searching make sure you take time to think about your current role, your employer and your future prospects.
Does your company’s ambition match your own? Do you get on with your colleagues? What does your boss think of you? What do you think of your boss? There’s a lot to be said for being appreciated and trusted in the work place. If you feel empowered and have autonomy you need to make sure that will remain if you decide to move.
Your work-life balance is a key ingredient. Do you have flexibility at work? Are you supported when you need it? How long is your commute? What is your work-life balance like? These are all things that affect your level of job satisfaction.
While it isn’t all about money, it pays to be aware of how competitive your total package is in respect to your peers. Think about holiday entitlement, pension payments, bonuses and important HR policies like maternity cover and sickness.
If you’re thinking long-term, consider the experience you’re gaining, the networks you’re exposed to and the kudos you get from working where you do. This should all help you understand what to do next.
Is the grass always greener?
Of course the short answer to this is no, but if you’re not happy you do need to make a change of some kind – life’s too short to live with regret.
The decision to stick or twist comes down to knowing what you want and understanding what your employer can offer; so don’t forget to speak to them and give them a chance to change things.
It could simply be that you’re stuck in a rut and it’s not as bad as it seems once you adopt a more positive approach, but whatever you decide be confident and don’t be put off by fear of change.
Once you’ve considered all the pros and cons you’ll probably know in your heart what to do next. If you do go for it, make sure you’re moving for the right reasons and commit whole-heartedly, because the rewards from finding a job you love can be life changing.
