Today’s post is inspired by a client who got in touch with me to get some advice on a possible job/career change. Next year, I will be celebrating 20 years in financial services in South Africa! Over this period, I have had my fair share of job and career changes. From this experience, I can safely say that starting a new job/career is an exciting time with many new and rewarding challenges. Nowadays, it is often said, most people will have had 7 job changes by the time they retire (if they believe in retirement). Given this, I must confess that I already have had far more than 7 job changes and retirement is still very far away. Now that the secret is out, what advice did I give the client?
I always say that the best time to search for or consider a new job or career is when you are already employed because you are more marketable and desirable. This gives you the opportunity to make comparisons without any pressure.
Career/Job Change Decision-Making Inventory – Part 1
- Identify what is driving your job/career change. Is it “push” factors such as the following?
- Boss or colleagues
- Company’s culture
- Company’s values
- Salary
- Lack of challenge in your current job
- Unfulfilled ambition
- Identify the “pull” factors driving your job/career change.
- Explore what you need in an employer and work environment, not just in a new job/career to establish the type of employer or environment you thrive in.
- What is your history with job/career changes?
- What mistakes have you made before?
- What good decisions have you made before?
- What lessons have you learnt?
- From whom have you sought advice on the job/career change?
Career/Job Change Decision-Making Inventory – Part 2
Frankly Speaking, a career/job change must be the result of some deep thinking. Here are some questions to consider as you put on your thinking cap.
- What is your purpose?
- How is the career/job change aligned to your purpose?
- What are your career goals?
- How is the career/job change aligned to your career goals?
- How long have you seriously considered making a job/career change?
- Have you explored other options to a job/career change?
- What do you like about your current position/career that you will miss?
- What don’t you like or would you like to change? Can you change it?
- Are your skills a good match for the job/career you are considering?
- What are the future opportunities in your current job/career?
- What are the future opportunities in your new job/career?
- Will you consider a counter offer from you current employer?
What do you think about this advice? What factors have you considered in your past career/job changes?