How do you know the right time to consider new job opportunities is now?
As a specialist recruiter with over a decade of experience, I have had thousands of conversations with professionals regarding their careers. Today, I am going to discuss the reasons many professionals I speak to look for a new position and explore whether a move is necessarily your best course of action.
Perceived or genuine lack of career development: No surprises here, most people I speak to mention a lack of career development. Naturally, career development keeps you engaged and motivated to put in that extra effort at work. If you think there is a lack of progression, rather than considering an external move as the first course of action, it might be worth considering if there is an opportunity to take on extra responsibilities to demonstrate to your manager that you are suitable for promotion or a change in role. It might be something as simple as volunteering to drive a marketing/business development initiative or helping with the onboarding/training of new hires. Whatever your situation, it might be best to explore internally first before looking externally.
Salary and compensation: This can be a challenging situation. Naturally, we all want to be paid what we are worth; however, it is worth considering whether the difference between your current salary and the market rate is worth the risk of a move, especially if it can be resolved internally during performance review time. The longer you have been in your organisation, the greater the likelihood of you having stronger internal networks, and a move to a new employer might mean you need to start again to build new levels of trust. Another point to consider is that the higher the salary expectations beyond the market rate, the greater the level of expectation a new employer is going to have of you. Every situation is different; however, it might be worth seeking salary advice to help you decide whether an external move is best for your situation.
Poor work-life balance: Long hours can sometimes come with the job of being a consultant, especially during peak seasons and firm deadlines. So, if work-life balance becomes an issue, then it might be time to consider a change of company or role. However, many companies now recognise the importance of employee well-being and are implementing policies to support it. Does your company have a hybrid or work-from-home offering? Is it something that can be implemented, especially during low season? If not, and stress is an issue, then it might be an appropriate time to consider your options elsewhere.
Negative relationships with management or colleagues: In this instance, it might be worth first having a moment of introspection to see whether your actions have contributed to these breakdowns in relations and seeing whether there is anything you can do to bring them back onto a positive footing. Perhaps you might explore whether you can move onto another project or transfer to another team. If a move is not possible, then you may wish to consider a move to another firm.
Limited learning or development: If your current firm does not offer adequate training, professional development opportunities, or the chance to learn new skills, it might be worth considering a move to a firm that prioritises continuous growth and learning. However, before exploring external opportunities, it may be worthwhile to explore whether your employer is willing to invest in training or a development program.
There can be plenty of reasons why you may wish to consider new opportunities, and no situation is the same for everyone; however, sometimes the challenge of building new relationships and trust could mean that exploring ways to resolve your issues internally could be what is best for your situation. If the decision to leave has been made, then partnering with a specialist recruiter who understands your industry might prove invaluable in offering unique insights into other firms in your market so that you can make an informed decision on your next move.
