The holidays are a time for reflection in a lot of ways, including your job situation.
You might be happy with your job and have no intentions of leaving.
On the other hand, you might be struggling for any one of several reasons, which could lead you to think it’s time to move along.
If you’ve thought about changing positions or even changing careers, contact us today at www.seswriters.com for help with resume writing, job applications and other services that will help you navigate the job search process.
You should never make a rash decision about leaving a job or looking for another position. You might feel unhappy or hemmed in by your current position but be rational and think things through before making a final decision. How you approach a career change can either hurt you in finding another position or help you if you approach it the right way.
Just as there are several reasons for staying in a job, there are several reasons for wanting a new one.
Here are some of the top reasons for making a change:
Money
Let’s face it, we all want to be well-paid for what we do. Keeping your salary up there with your experience level and even with co-workers is important. There are times, though, when you might not get that raise you think you deserve, or maybe you’ve topped out on your company’s pay scale. It might be a case where your boss simply doesn’t feel like you deserve a raise. If any of these are the case, then it’s time to consider moving on to a new job. Before you do, though, take stock of the state of the job sector and the economy overall. If things don’t look good, maybe reconsider your decision. If the economy is humming and your line of work is thriving, then it might be a good time to make a move. Corporate executive positions take additional time to locate. Make sure your corporate executive resume is competitive and showcases your value.
Motivation
You might have accomplished all you can in your current position and feel you need a new challenge. In that case you should consider making a change. You know what you’ve accomplished in your current job and what you’d like to accomplish in a new position. Set a realistic goal of what position you’d like and are qualified for, and then start applying. You might also feel that your current firm is not growing at a realistic pace or keeping up with competitors.
Needing a career change
You might be at the point in your life and career where you want to go in a whole new direction. Maybe you’re tired of the corporate structure and want to jump to a start-up. Maybe you feel that another line of work has been your calling all along. As long you meet the qualifications and/or have the skillset required, go ahead and apply for that job. Maybe you’ve been working in a job in the field you majored in during college, but have been curious about the field you received a minor in. Check out some jobs in that area and see if you meet most of the requirements in the posting If so, this might be your chance to take on a new role and new challenges. Have you ever thought of working for the federal government in an executive role. Many executive jobs can be found at www.usajobs.gov. You will need a SES resume to apply for senior executive service jobs.
Your company is restructuring or reorganizing
This isn’t always bad news, although restructuring or reorganizing often means downsizing. If you are a top employee, your position might not be targeted. However, you might want to consider what effect the restructuring will have on the company’s performance and competitiveness. You might not want to stick around if you get the sense that the changes will have an overall negative impact. That might be a signal to update your resume and start checking out job postings at other companies. Speak with your supervisor to find out where you fit in and what the company’s new expectations will be. If you know someone at a competing firm, chat in confidence about the strength of their firm, whether it has openings you are qualified for and any advice on how you should proceed. Ultimately, you might stay put. But at the very least, it never hurts to have Plan B at your fingertips.
Quality of Life Issues
There are several other reasons that might give you the indication that it’s time for a change. You might have reached the point in your career where your heart simply isn’t in it anymore. There are also situations where you your job is so unsatisfactory that it’s starting to affect your home life. You might come home angry or stressed and take it out on your family. You might be taking calls and emails while at home, which cuts into time you’d rather be spending with your family. If you find yourself in that situation, try to resolve the issues that set you off. If they can’t be fixed, then it’s time to move on.
Perhaps you’ve lost motivation and are just mailing it in. You wake up in the morning with the feeling that you don’t want to go to work. That could start affecting you mentally and physically. You might not be getting along with your boss or a co-worker, which could lead to a toxic environment. Maybe you’re being careless and making mistakes. If that’s the case, you might want to make a change before one is made for you.
If you decide that any of these situations are reason enough to seek a career change, move forward in a positive way, not a negative one. View it as motivation to take that next big step in your life. Don’t feel stressed and pressured. Think things through before making a final decision.
The job application process can be tricky, difficult and frustrating. Our professionals know what’s involved at every step, from writing your resume, making sure the application process is followed properly and providing interview coaching. Contact us today to find out how we can help you land your dream job and develop your corporate executive resume or call 1-800-471-9201. We offer world-class writers and multi-certified writers and career advisors.
