Am I ready for a new role? Asking yourself the tough questions

We’ve all been there. A bad day at work culminates in a mad rush to do a job search.

Like an Olympic sprinter, you’re out of the blocks, applying for everything and anything that’s out there. Many jump the gun when it comes to the latest job search and the results don’t lie.? A recent survey in the US revealed that those who changed jobs since the pandemic are significantly less satisfied with their jobs than their colleagues who stayed.

It’s understandable that candidates want a new challenge or feel they need a move to enhance their career, however it’s important to ask yourself the hard questions before conducting your job search.

What motivates you

We all have our motivations to get out of bed in the morning. Your day-to-day job is an important part of your life and it’s vital that you are happy in your place of work. Before you consider a new role, you must find what your main motivation is in your work and your reasons for moving. You may consider the following categories and ask yourself:

• Team Culture – I love working in a team environment, am I in the right place for my personality?
• Career Progression – I feel like I’m stagnating, will a move help my career in the right direction?
• Flexibility – I’m feeling like the commute is impacting my work/life balance, will hybrid or remote fix that?
• Salary – Am I being underpaid in my work? Am I valued in the right way?

The 1-10 Test

The first thing we always say when candidates come to us is how active you are in the market on a scale of 1-10 in the market. 1 is just a casual look, 10 is desperation!

From the outside, you may think we love to hear 10. But desperation is often not the answer. It can often push you towards the wrong fit or find yourself in a situation where you don't interview as well as the candidate who is taking their time.

If you are at a 6-7 in terms of interest, that is really the sweet spot. You're certain you want a new role but are calm in your approach. If this sounds like you, then you're ready for the next phase.

On your marks, get set

We always recommend creating alerts on LinkedIn, talking to us and doing your homework. Developing the right fit is always key. We’ve often had brilliant candidates who come to us and their personality just hasn’t fitted their workplace, and it’s important to accept that. If that has happened to you, it’s vital to not make the same mistake again. If opportunities come along to you, ask yourself:

• Does this fit my values?
• Do I have connections that have worked there previously that I can talk to?
• Does the organisation work in fields that I’m passionate about?

The jump

Moving roles is never easy, but taking real time to go to the next phase of your career is vital. It also gives you that excitement and confidence when meeting perspective new employers.

The jump can be challenging, but we’re here to help!

If feel like you’re in the 6-7 bracket and want to start your new job search, contact me Brendan Madden on [email protected] or check out our latest roles on our new website.

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