You've got the itch to change jobs. This might be a good time to make the move.
The Wall Street Journal has just reported, "Job-seekers from rank-and-file workers to senior executives are preparing their resumes for what may be the strongest fall hiring season in years."
"Before you jump to a new job, be certain you have good, sound reasons for wanting to make a change," advises Ramon Greenwood, senior career counselor at Common SenseAtWork.com. "You may believe you can accelerate your career with a new job. You may be bored or running away from personal problems."
First, ask yourself, "Are there things I can do to make my present situation more acceptable?"
Don't be lulled into believing that the grass will necessarily be greener in another pasture. Or that a new pasture will be a great deal different from the one you are grazing in now.
Except in the most extreme reasons, do not leave your present job until you have another one firmly in hand. If it was ever true that a bird in hand is worth two in the bush, it is when a job is concerned. Remember, it is always easier to get a job when you have one.
What Do You Want?
Take the time to figure out what you really want to do.
What will it take to make you happier? It is not enough to know what you want to change from; you need to know what you want to change to.
Be specific in answering these questions. Don't allow yourself to be driven by a sense of vague malaise to make a change just for the sake of change. If you can't spell out in writing the valid reasons you want to move to a new job and be equally specific about what you want that job to be, don't set the process in motion.
Recognize that you are contemplating a serious and difficult undertaking, even under the best of circumstances. There is always some risk to your present situation when you start looking around. What will your present employer think if the word gets around that you are "looking"? At best, the whole process is usually disruptive and can be traumatic for you and your loved ones. Determine that you have the courage to live with the dangers and uncertainties of making a change.
Survey the situation. Be sure there is a market for the skills you have to offer where you want to live.
If You Go, Go Full Speed Ahead
If, after giving the matter careful thought, you are convinced you would be better off in a new situation, go for it full speed ahead. The search for a new job is not a time for half-measures. To vacillate between courting new employers and sitting back in a coy mode, hoping to be courted, will surely breed frustration. Mount a campaign and invest whatever time and energy are required to reach your objective.
If you have something to offer that the market wants, you will find a new job. However, it will take time. There may come a point when you decide that by comparison your present situation looks quite attractive. So you may decide to stay put, at least for the time being. So don't burn bridges behind you.
And don't worry about there being a stigma attached to changing jobs. A lot of other people are shopping for new jobs at any given time. It has been estimated that today's college graduates can expect that on average they will have held eight different jobs by the time they are 40.
In fact, some personnel recruiters argue that your resume will be stronger if it shows some changes in jobs, so long as the reasons for changing are positive.
Ramon Greenwood is former senior vice president of American Express; a professional director for various businesses; a consultant; a published author of career related books and a syndicated column. Senior career counselor for http://www.CommonSenseAtWork.com.
Visit http://www.CommonSenseAtWork.com, to sign up for his f#ee semimonthly newsletter or contact him at ramon@CommonSenseAtWork.com
Is your working life in the doldrums? Do you feel... Read More
To learn a language for career advancement is one of... Read More
Q. I just finished a job interview. Everything went well.... Read More
With today's economy, more and more companies are... Read More
As a human resources professional or business owner, you face... Read More
A client who has a fine arts degree wanted to... Read More
It is often said that the majority of people are... Read More
Targeting your portfolio, (resume and cover letter) can get you... Read More
Mystery shoppers. For some it conjures up images of private... Read More
If you are thinking about starting your own house cleaning... Read More
Last article I discussed why a telecommuter would benefit from... Read More
Inherent within the human spirit is a desire for fulfillment,... Read More
Today everyone knows at least one person who has lost... Read More
A trade show is a great place to network, look... Read More
The subject is constantly in the news and may decide... Read More
The road to the top is not easy, it is... Read More
There are many changes coming in the world of work,... Read More
Salary and Benefits NegotiationOne of the most difficult aspects of... Read More
Difficult Relationships at Work - How to Influence the UncooperativeWe... Read More
The following 'difficult' questions are common to most tricky or... Read More
Moving to another state meant finding a new dentist. I... Read More
Your network consists of family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and former... Read More
Interviewing Tips for the Older Job-seeking PopulationA red alert is... Read More
Our lives are tranquil and smooth so seldom, it seems.... Read More
You've been successful in your job hunt and have received... Read More
What is contract programming, you ask? Well, when companies need... Read More
Several times a year, I hear someone complain about the... Read More
It Is Up To YouSo, you want to get promoted.... Read More
It is important to prepare thoroughly for your telephone interview.Begin... Read More
As a Certified Personnel Consultant working for Find Great People... Read More
Imagine receiving a letter from a salesman who wants to... Read More
No, you can't control how the interview will be conducted,... Read More
Since college I've been told that a resume ought to... Read More
I generally shy away from using the word "networking" when... Read More
If you are thinking about starting your own house cleaning... Read More
How would you like to get paid to go shopping?... Read More
Have you learnt a new skill or improved upon your... Read More
Make sure that your resume is up to date with... Read More
You've just received a call to interview with your dream... Read More
Most of us have to work for a living. Since... Read More
How much of our career path is destiny and how... Read More
Practicing Empathy A vital part of your networking skills is... Read More
There is one little practice that is vital to generating... Read More
Travel writing jobs are few and far between. Getting into... Read More
Which of the following would you chose? Doing your lifework... Read More
If only there were no questions involved in getting a... Read More
One of the most important parts of a job... Read More
So here you are?stuck in a dead end job. Are... Read More
A student loan helps you get through college. Then you... Read More
Steve's a pretty regular guy ? wife, 4 kids in... Read More
Many interview guides advise candidates to answer the common "What's... Read More
So, you currently have a job but you are looking... Read More
Does a headline like this scare you? it should because... Read More
My first job was secretary to Moses. Having to transcribe... Read More
Success is not always something you necessarily find when you... Read More
I recently went to a retirement party with my husband... Read More
When flipping the channels of your TV, you are bound... Read More
Don't start off your job search with one (or more)... Read More
"Bill, thanks so much for your assistance with this search.... Read More
Is your inner brat taking over your job? Everyone has... Read More
"When I was a child, I always thought the world... Read More
Interning is about more than earning money during summer break.... Read More
Telecommuting Interview Tips- By Nell TaliercioYou've made it! Your cover... Read More
Not everyone is cut out to be a mortgage processor.... Read More
Downloading a free resume template can be so alluring. No... Read More
Whether you're a Vice President of Marketing or a recent... Read More
Careers, Jobs & Employment |