A plan to change job: should I or not?

Here's the deal, a lot of people think if they should plan for job change or after receiving the offers, they are confused. In fact, a lot of us go through these situations, considering change is really important and if that change shall happen for now or for later.

Well, it is also something that we keep think that the more we stay in a company/organization, the more we can prove our stability and more are the chances of promotion. Hell, that’s true, but not the thumb rule.

Now here’s the thing, if you are actually confused that you shall look for a change or not, think about the below-mentioned pointers:

Professional reasons when you shall plan to change:

• Are you willing to look for a change? If yes, you definitely should.
• Are you underpaid? If yes, you definitely should. Let’s just agree that no company will give you the hike you expect in case you are already working for them. May be they may go a little ahead of the bars, but you shall check the industry scale and compare with yours. If the variance looks high, well, you know the answer, SWITCH.

?? You know your worth, market & competitor’s remuneration. Think wisely.

• Is there anything else that you are still learning with the work you are doing? If no, then you should plan a switch. This is obvious that one fine day, you reach to a saturation of the learnings that you have in the role you are in right now, but if it had been a while (say more than a year), either check internally if you may fill in for the next role, if any, else move on.
• Are you in your comfort zone at work? If yes, be quick to plan the change. Being in the comfort zone is the biggest killer and you don’t want a serial killer in yourself!
• Is your role high-in-demand? If yes, you may plan a change for better experience, exposure, etc.
• You have a bad manager? Before thinking about this, you need to understand what a bad manager is. To us, every manager looks like a bad one. But with you, if it is a real case, move-out before it getting toxic. Also, be ready to face may be another bad manager, however, being optimistic, you may get a good one.

??However, have this in the back of your head, “A known demon is always better than an unknown God.”

• Too much micro-management: If you are being micromanaged, and you think (this is a for 100% sure situation) you might handle things on your own, SWITCH.
• Organizational politics: Now this is something you can never avoid. In simple terms, either you will be involved in politics or you will be a victim. If you have been through either, best is to change and not entertain such things at work.
• You are dealing with a bunch of vampires from the top-management: Before they suck your blood or kill your passion, be passionate enough to move-on, but yeah, ensure you think wisely and throughout before taking any decision.
• Employee benefits and perks: If you have it all already, you may avoid switching for now.

?? You have a tuff-to-crack checklist: It’s true to say, “More the merrier”, but this shall not be a mandate for your current/upcoming roles. These are great to have, but shall not be considered as must haves.

• You have the most important perk or I shall say dream-perk of WORK-LIFE-BALANCE: If you have it, wait for some more time, because this is difficult to find and have.
• Your value and contribution to the team & organization: If you are still valuable to the team and the organization, don’t move out for now. You are still respected and valued. But if this is not the case, plan your movement.
• Market conditions: Well, this is the most important factor to be accounted while being in a decisive position. If the market conditions are favourable, you may plan to switch, if needed, else don’t.
• If you are a part of a DREAM-TEAM: I feel, it's in the best interest if you stay for a while more.

Personal reasons when you shall plan to change:

• You have an upcoming family requirement which might need you to have a little more income: Definitely, without any second thoughts, SWITCH!
• You are done and want to quit: Is hits you mentally or you always have work-stress, before it gets to something serious or traumatizing, SWITCH!
• You are unhappy: Being honest, you may not be able to justify it as a reason for the next/new job, but still, if it is making you unhappy, best is to SWITCH, before it becomes a pain in your life and starts affecting you and your close ones.

?? Your friend’s or cousin’s superb job role: Trust me, if it impacts you, you will never be happy and satisfied with the job you have and the benefits and perks it provides for.

• Medical reasons: May be sabbatical leave or temporary resignation shall work in your favour. If not, you know it already, SWITCH.

My advise: More than you think of the reasons to change; maybe you should also think of the reasons to stay-back. Be handy with your checklist of pros and cons for the decision which is in the best interest for you.