All pros and no cons to moving on
There comes a point when we wonder ‘is this the time to move on?’ and also question ourselves why we are doing it. No, I’m not talking about breaking up with a rubbish boyfriend, I mean the point in our careers when we want to make changes – for the better! As the economy embraces career change as a positive, a new job can be just the step you need to develop your career and, most often, companies find the best candidate from within.
Think back to when you started your current job and the period when you had to learn, adapt and master your new role. Now fast forward to today, are you still learning at the same rate, or at least learning new skills? More importantly, are you capable of offering more? It is said that a typical worker will master their role within three years, which goes hand in hand with what some experts say, that there is now a two to three-year cycle for the modern worker. Years ago, companies would have looked at this new type of worker as a job hopper, with a clear lack of loyalty, but today, this new type of worker is thought of as an overachiever who learns more in a short space of time and, in turn, offers their employer better results! And, according to Forbes, workers who stay with a company for longer than two years are said to earn 50% less than their job-hopping equivalents. As annual raises are usually based as a percentage of your base salary, it’s difficult to make a big jump up the pay scale if you remain with the same company. Developing your skillset and getting experience in diverse workplaces means that employers are also more likely to offer you a higher pay package.
Whether you work for a small or large company, if there is no room for progression, or you could be in a position where you feel your ambition and desire to grow at your skill is being ignored, then why are you still there? Obviously, you need to push for progression by delivering quality work consistently, and actually have a conversation with your manager to discuss your career expectation. As they say “if you don’t ask, you don’t get”. But if you feel you have genuinely reached the progression potential at your current company then it’s time to look for other opportunities.
Of course, the idea of changing jobs can often seem stressful; you may have made some great friends where you work, or you feel comfortable where you are and you feel like you will disappoint your manager and co-workers with even just the thought of leaving. Well, these are all great, but they shouldn’t be the reason why you aren’t open to new opportunities. Going to make new friends and develop new skills will not only expand your mind, but it will make you more confident, open to new ideas, and increase your motivation. So, if you are thinking about moving jobs, go for it, and good luck finding that perfect role for you!