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Is the Grass Always Greener?
Some things to consider that will help you to decide if it really is the time is right to move on.
New Year, new job. It’s often a resolution that sees employers spend valuable time and money on recruitment, only to see it falter at the offer stage.
While no one should be blamed for changing their mind, with a little more time spent thinking things through at the beginning, I’m sure a lot more people would find what they’re really looking for a great deal quicker and easier.
Should I stay or go?
There are lots of reasons that trigger the search for a new job. It could be to gain more experience or broaden knowledge; to find a new challenge; perhaps personal circumstances have changed; or it may simply be for greater financial reward.
Whatever the catalyst, when working out what’s best, the first thing to do is 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?
The short answer 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.
