Bryony Gibson, Director of Bryony Gibson Consulting, shares her thoughts on what you should consider before switching jobs.
With salary review season upon us, many people, especially in the world of accountancy, will be weighing up their options. Should you stay put, push for a raise, or is it time to look elsewhere?
While money is an important factor, it shouldn’t be the only reason to change jobs. A career move should be about long-term satisfaction, growth, and professional reputation – not just financial gain.
If you’re considering a job switch, there are many important factors to bear in mind before making your decision.
Why do you want to leave?
Before signing on the dotted line to move, take a moment, step back and reflect on why you began looking for a change in the first place. Was it a lack of career progression? A toxic work environment? Do you feel undervalued? A higher salary is always appealing, but if core issues remain unresolved, you will quickly become dissatisfied again.
Career growth
As tempting as a big paycheck is, remember to ask yourself if the new role aligns with your long-term goals. Take time to consider the company’s culture. What are the opportunities for progression and training? Will you learn and develop new skills? If career growth matters to you, a move must take you towards your ultimate aspiration, rather than stepping sideways – or even backwards – purely for financial gain.
The risk of a counteroffer
A common but risky strategy people adopt when they are unhappy with their salary is to use external offers to negotiate a raise with their current employer. If you are testing the market to leverage a counteroffer, think again. While it might seem like a win, it can seriously damage your professional reputation.
In my experience, employers often see counter offers as a temporary fix and may not prioritise your career development in the future. Furthermore, unless money is your sole motivation, the reasons why you want to leave will still be there.
Work-life balance
Money can’t buy a good work-life balance. Does the new job offer flexibility in terms of remote work or hours that fit your lifestyle? A pay rise may not be worth it if it comes at the expense of your well-being and personal time.
Training, Development & Support
A great salary won’t mean much if your career stagnates. Does the new company invest in employee growth? Look at the opportunities for mentorship and professional development, and whether the role will help you build new skills that openup new opportunities.
Do your values align?
Work is a major part of your life, and job satisfaction often comes down to more than numbers on a pay slip. Ask yourself: Does this company’s mission resonate with me? Do I respect its leadership? Does the business empower and value its people? A misalignment in values will quickly lead to dissatisfaction, no matter how attractive the salary is.
Make the right move for the right reasons
I believe that, wherever possible, the decision to change jobs should be strategic, not impulsive. If money is your only motivation, you are going to find yourself job-hopping throughout your career as soon as the excitement of a new role fades.
In the end, the choice is yours but whatever you decide, I urge you to consider the full package: career progression, work-life balance, company culture, long-term fit, and salary.
Most importantly, remain professional. Not every job offer is right for you, but the accountancy world is small, especially in the North East, and how you conduct yourself in negotiations and transitions can impact your future opportunities.
Think long-term and choose wisely