Is your job not exciting you as much as it used to? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. The average person changes job 10 – 15 times over the course of their career, and that number is set to rise with millennials changing jobs more often than their older counterparts.
But making a career move is a big decision, and getting it wrong can mean jumping out of the frying-pan and into the fire. So, if you’re considering making a change, here are our top 5 questions to ask yourself before taking the plunge.
Sunday night dread
The majority of us are sad to see the weekend over, but if your fears of going back to work on Monday are becoming commonplace, maybe it’s time to think about a change.
Hating going to work in the morning isn’t healthy and the effects can bleed into your home life. If your current position has become a dread then you may be better going elsewhere.
Has your performance dropped?
No matter what type of work you do, it’s true that a lack of motivation can severely impact your productivity. If you are finding yourself clockwatching rather than working then it’s important to ask yourself why.
Does the job not challenge you anymore? Are you bored? Do you not like your boss or the work you’re doing?
Answering these questions will help you to work out whether or not you can fix what’s going wrong in your current position or if the time has come to move on.
Does your current job have room for progression?
You may love your current company and the job you do, but if it’s clear that there is no room for progression, then it could be time to look for a new job. On the other hand, if you don’t like the work you’re currently doing but know that within a year you’ll be promoted to a job you’ll love, then you need to consider if the wait is worthwhile.
If you think that you need to make a change, then it’s important to know whether your next job will have the progression that you’re looking for. There’s no point exchanging like for like.
Have you given your current job a chance?
You might be convinced after your first day in a new job that it isn’t for you, but it’s important to give it a chance. Most people take a little time to settle into a new role, and the general consensus is that you should always give a new job a few months before deciding to make a move.
If you feel early on that the job isn’t for you, then focus on learning as many skills as possible that may be transferable in your next job. You should also try and make as much of a positive impact on your current company as possible.
It’s always worth remembering, that if you have changed jobs several times in a relatively short time (within 4 years) then many companies may consider you as a risky investment.
Is the juice worth the squeeze?
If you’re still unsure whether you want to stay or leave your current job, then it can be a good idea to weigh the pros and cons. What are the benefits and negatives of your current role? What would they be in a new job?
This could be your salary package, opportunities for progression, daily commute or company perks. The main thing is that looking at your decision in this way will allow you to see clearly what the best course of action is. Hopefully, your final decision will be easier.
All of that being said, only you can decide whether or not a career change is the best decision for you, and sometimes you need to trust your gut instinct.
If you decide that a career change is in order, then our consultants will be able to guide you towards your next job. You can give them a call on 028 9009 9211 or check out our list of latest vacancies here.