Are You Creating Your Own Roadblocks?
A friend of mine recently called to ask for advice about his current role, and the frustrations he was experiencing at work. The conversation probably went on for a good 20 minutes and I was amazed by how little talking I needed to do! After every reason he would cite for wanting to leave, he would immediately follow up with rationale to justify it and make it 'OK', but then go right back to explaining why it was a sincere problem and how it needs to be fixed, etc.
Not that every situation is the same, but he was bringing up some really great pain points and reasons that he was looking to make a change!
Here are some tips if you might be thinking about looking for another opportunity:
1) "I'm bored."
This is probably what I hear most often when talking with Candidates currently employed and looking to make a change. If you're bored, it's time to start looking at what control you do have. Have you approached your supervisor about adding additional projects that you have a passion for? Have you shown your supervisor metrics about dominating in your current responsibilities so that they have grounds to move you around? If you have, and nothing's come of it, it might be time to start interviewing!
2) "...but I make so much money/I have so much vacation time/etc, why would I want to change?"
Yes, you may have a paycheck that makes you smile, but honestly, that gets so old. Really fast. Think about it! You are in your office/job more than you are at home. Shouldn't you be spending your time somewhere where your happiness is at an all-time high? Shouldn't your feet tingle when you wake up in the morning because you get to go somewhere you LOVE? All of these things can be negotiated. It doesn't hurt to go have some conversations with different opportunities so that you can test the water and see what might be around the corner!
3) "I don't have time to look for anything..."
Really? Honestly? Do you know how many hours there are in a year? 8,765 hours. If you don't have time, it's because you're not making time outside of your work hours to network and look. You could ABSOLUTELY have enough time, you just have to make the decision, and then go for it!
4) "...it's so easy"
That's great that you've evolved in such a way where your job is a piece of cake! Kudos! Now ask yourself these questions: Are you growing? Are you learning? Are you setting yourself up for what's next? Chances are you can improve on one of these things. Then the question is: How? Can you explore opportunities within your current company? Or does this require you to network and see what other opportunities there might be to stretch yourself? Comfort = safety. But don't mistake safety for success or growth.
What other words of advice do you have for those out there contemplating a move or staying put? I'd love to hear from you!
Be sure to follow me on twitter: @ajjobs, and follow me on LinkedIn!
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About the author:
A.J. Mizes is the Senior Manager of Talent at Sungevity in Oakland, California. He’s worked with some of the largest companies in the Bay Area, as well as stealth start up organizations. His specialty lies in helping companies strategize on best ways to scale by building teams of winners. A.J. also regularly speaks on recruiting trends and industry best practices on both a local and national level.
That's so true, and it actually happens with everyone!
This article reminds us all that it takes effort to get of the self-limiting cycle and move forward.
The article doesn't make sense at all. "Here are some tips if you might be thinking about looking for another opportunity:", The four points that follow are not tips, they are reasons why one should think about changing a job - and the author being from a staffing company, that makes complete promotional sense. .if one is already thinking about making a change, the 4 points that the author states are moot.