Planning for a job change

By Tom Whitley
Network World on Careers, 06/21/99

Many people reading this newsletter will make a job change in the near future.

Unfortunately, there is a high probability that a lot of these job changes will be made as a result of external events or as a last minute rushed reaction to an opportunity, rather than as a result of ongoing career planning and analysis.

Perhaps this is a holdover from our heritage of lifetime employment and the accompanying necessity for company loyalty - we treat the act of planning to leave as heresy. To acknowledge that change will happen, and to look ahead with your best interests in mind, is not being disloyal to your employer. Maybe it's fear that "they" will find out and your name will go on top of the list of most likely to be cut next. Put those fears aside. After all, you aren't going to post your personal plans on the company bulletin board.

Here is some food for thought:

Technical growth -- Yours is a technical world; you must keep up with advancing technology. Does your company offer you the chance to learn new technical skills? Are you encouraged to pursue advanced technical training?

Salary growth -- How does your salary compare within the company? How do you rank with your peers in the region and nationally? If you are behind, ask why. Are you worth more? You may decide it is time to update that resume and start looking.

Job content -- Not every day is going to be exciting and worthwhile in the work place. Do you find yourself having to go to work, rather than wanting to go to work? If you are not getting satisfaction from your job, it may be time to look elsewhere.

Change in personal goals -- Your life will change; your children will grow up and leave home, your formula for success will change. It's OK to consider changing jobs to better accommodate your changing life. Shifting sands -- Mergers, acquisitions, start-ups, downsizing, outsourcing - you name it, companies change constantly and the change always affects employees. Keep a perspective of where your company is headed.

As recruiters, our job is to find people for our clients who, among other things, will benefit from changing jobs. It's surprising how many people we talk to, even those that contact us because they are "ready to make a change," who don't have a clear sense of why, or a plan of action.