IS IT TIME TO MOVE?

With so many job opportunities on offer, it may be tempting to jump in and start interviewing without a second thought. After all, what’s there to lose?

Moving on is certainly one way to improve earnings and increase knowledge to progress in your career. However, it should be for the right reasons, not just to earn more. Depending on where you are in your career, you need to consider how the move will impact your long-term career progression.

We share three questions to work through when you’re considering if it’s time to make a move to a new opportunity:

1. What’s your personal frame of mind?

As much as we try to be logical about decisions, they’re usually strongly influenced by emotions. If you’re feeling frustrated, unappreciated, or overlooked in your current role, there’s likely little motivation to stay. Work has become more than just a pay cheque. Wanting to feel valued is not an overrated expectation, especially when companies are struggling to retain their best people. If this is how you’re feeling currently, know that it’s valid, and a good enough reason to think about moving on.

2. How long have you been in your current role?

The average tenure for employees is between 2 and 5 years and moving on within that time frame is generally accepted or expected. If you’ve been with the company longer it may be hard to make the decision to move because you feel a sense of loyalty to the company or your team. This is an admirable quality, but don’t stay at the expense of your well-being. If there are other opportunities offering better benefits, consider them in light of how your lifestyle may be able to change for the better. Conversely, job hopping every six months may send up a red flag for recruiters, so be cautious about changing jobs too frequently.

3. Where to after this role?

Consider job opportunities in light of your overall career ambitions. Would this next role be your ultimate job that you’d be happy in for years to come, or would it just be a stepping stone to getting there. Know that if it’s just a stepping stone, there’s no guarantee that your career path may pan out as planned. Equally, having grand expectations may also leave you disappointed. It’s best to consider all scenarios and have realistic expectations. This will also help you to make a more balanced decision.