Things to Consider Before Changing Jobs
How do you know when it’s time for a new job? This is a tough question to answer, and it will be a little bit different for everyone out there. If you’re thinking about finding a new career, there are several things to consider before you go through with your idea. Here, we will go over some of the most important things to think about as you are grappling with this potentially life altering decision.
First, think of your long term goals for yourself and your family. These should be the goals that you have right now. Now, think back to when you first began your current job. Ask yourself some questions. Do you remember what your career plan was then? For some people reading this, that might have been just a few months or years ago. For others, it could have been a couple decades ago or more. Either way, what was it you were hoping to get out of that job? Did you achieve that? Have your priorities changed? If they have, then there’s a good chance that you need to start looking for something new. The easiest place to start is within your own company. If you are employed with a large company, it could be worthwhile to talk to your human resources department and see what internal positions are currently open, and see if you would be a good fit for any of those.
Next, look at your needs. In some cases, people hate their jobs, but do not have the financial means to take a lesser paying position, you will find that your search must be necessarily limited in its scope. So even if you want to find a job that is more emotionally fulfilling to you, you need to place a high priority on your physical and financial needs.
Maybe you want something that is more demanding of your professional skills. If this is the case, then evaluate what you want to accomplish. Some people will find that they can pursue their goals in any industry while others find that their career goals can only be pursued in specific places. Figure out where you fall in with this perspective, and then go from there. Again, if you can stay within your current company, your goal will be much easier to attain as you won’t need to move up the corporate ladder at the same rate to pursue your dreams.
Your next career move should be based upon future goals, of course, but your past will help to dictate where you are headed, too. Even if you are interested in a completely different career path now, you have gained skills along the way that will help you in your future endeavor. The important part is to know how they apply. Let’s say that you worked as a custodian, caring for the cleanliness of a school. This might seem like a very different job from a career in food service at a chain restaurant, but there are similarities. As a custodian, you were given tasks, you had a certain degree of independence following those tasks, and from time to time, you needed to use problem solving skills. Those hard skills will transfer into a career at a restaurant. You have an ability to follow directions, you can work well on your own, and you have the ability to work with people, even when those people aren’t necessarily pleasant or cooperative. When making your career move, be sure to draw attention to those skills, how you developed them in your past, and how they will apply in your future.