Should You Be Looking For a New Job?

Is it time for you to start a job search? If this question causes you to pause for more than 3-5 seconds, maybe you should be looking. I'm not suggesting that you quit your job today, or do anything to jeopardize your current role even if you're clearly not satisfied with what you're doing. Each year around this time, you should evaluate your options. Consider your current role (compensation, growth potential, level of interest), work environment (manager, colleagues, stress level), and company outlook. To get a clear picture though, you have to look at what's going on in the industry. Are your skills in demand? Are there many job openings that would be a good fit for your experience, skill-set and professional goals?

It seems a bit presumptuous to start a new job search at your first instance of discontentment in any jobs climate but, even more so in our current environment of high unemployment. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t take a few smart steps to get ready...just so that you're prepared in the event that you do decide to make a move. Here are a few suggestions:

• Consider updating your resume to capture recent accomplishments or changes in responsibilities
• Browse positions within your current organization
• Develop your professional network. Reach out to former colleagues, friends, college schoolmate, etc.
• Consider some personal changes such as taking up a new hobby, joining a professional organization, or making the effort to spend more time with friends and family

Your goal is to find a way to make the best of your current situation while being certain that you are prepared for anything up ahead. You don’t want to spend your entire career hunting and interviewing for your next job, but you also can’t afford to have inactivity turn a tricky jobs market into a risky one.