When is it time to consider changing jobs?

When good jobs are scarce, the sensible thing is to hold onto what you’ve got. But in normal times, a job should propel your career and not be just about money and prestige. When should you consider changing jobs? Here’re a few telling signs.

WHEN THE JOB IS A DEAD END: When you are not learning anything new, not getting opportunity to perform new tasks, having limited opportunity for advancement and growth. Also where your job requires you to do everything by the book and thereby stopping you from ‘owning’ it and adding value. In such situations, it’s worth discussing with your manager, how you might enrich your job. If this does not yield any useful prospects it might be time to start looking for a job better suited to your needs.

A COMPANY’S THAT’S GOING NOWHERE: If Management of where you work is unfocussed, pays lip service to developing your potential, not interested in your initiative, you could be caught in the drift. Good management will believe that staff need to be supported to grow for the organisation to do the same. So if you feel like your organisation is going nowhere, that whether you achieve anything in your job or not is ‘no big deal’ it may be time to go work for a company that cares about that.

APPEAL OF A FRESH CHALLENGE: You don’t want to become a relic. So don’t supress a desire to do something new. This may not automatically mean that you leave your job. You could take on roles outside your organisation such as join a Board or even run your own business or project on the side. If multi-tasking is not your thing, then moving on to another job is something to consider. Be clear about what you want in a new role; otherwise you might jump from frying pan to fire.

WHEN YOU LONGER CARE: Signs that you might have lost interest in your job includes watching the clock, complaining often, becoming easily distracted and just finding it difficult to be excited about what you do. I am not talking about feeling this way from time to time but when this becomes regular. When this happens it’s only fair to you, your career and the organisation you work for to move on.

Now take action: How can your current job draw on more of what you can offer?

Make your work more meaningful

Ever felt like your work was too mundane, does not contribute to anything worthy of note or simply unfulfilling? What would make you feel proud at the end of each day of work? It takes having a new perspective on your job and seeing what you might do to make it more fulfilling. Here are some thoughts;

BE CLEAR WHAT MEANINGFUL WORK IS TO YOU : What is a great job to one person is a lousy one to another. Understand what engages you and take ownership of the work and full responsibility for executing tasks. Take charge of the ‘how’ of getting your work done so that you can be more creative side. Accept that achieving job satisfaction is your responsibility.

SHARE IN THE PROCESS OF LEADERSHIP: Note I did not say ‘position’ of leadership. Process means you act like a leader and do your best with whatever you are entrusted with. Don’t take a ‘checklist’ approach to your work because the things that are impactful require personal leadership, not ticking off tasks. Being in a job that makes you feel lousy can be stressful so find a way to inspire yourself, be inventive and push your boundaries. Don’t be a stereotype.

UNDERSTAND YOUR ‘WHY’: We all tend to put energy and passion into what is important to us, things that speak to our values. When you know what makes you tick, you can set high expectations for yourself knowing you are committed to doing whatever it takes. Cover the basics on any job but reject the mundane-ness. Approach your work with purpose and bring your best efforts to it.

BELIEVE IN YOUR VALUE: Sometimes we move away from what we are good at naturally, to pursue roles that come with status but which we’ll at best be ‘average’ at. Believe in your strengths and use them. Build a reputation as someone comfortable in your own skin with a sense of mission. Constantly evaluate yourself so as to be continuously resourceful.

Now take action: What can you do to become more excited about your work?.

Give soul to your CV

A CV is the first opportunity to sell yourself to a prospective employer. It must be a selling tool that shows the benefits of hiring you; not just a summary of your experience but an advertisement of your achievements and potential. A CV must be;

CONCRETE AND VALUABLE: There’s usually a lot of ‘too good to be true’ stuff people put on CVs. Granted that the better you look on your CV the more likely you’ll get that interview opportunity. But the CV must be based on substance. Any claims you make must be properly backed up. So where-ever you are or doing now make yourself as valuable as possible so that you can gather this type of evidence for your next CV update.

CREDIBLE AND VIVID: Organizations are looking not just for people who can do again what they have done before ( which is what most CVs communicate) but people who are enterprising and can develop and present new solutions. Whatever job you’re doing now put your own twist on it so that it’s more interesting for you and also delivers better results. Don’t’ feel the need to create the impression in your CV that you have all the answers but that you know how and where to get answers you need.

CONFIDENT AND VIBRANT: Use every opportunity to continue to build your skills so that you CV shows a trend of a growth towards higher level skills, of a person who always stays current. Be responsible for your own learning so that you ensure this professional growth is within your control. Your aim is to be able to come across as talented, focused, resourceful and results-driven.

COMPETITIVE AND VITAL: You should never forget the purpose of the CV. It needs to be strong on its own but also can compete compared to others’ going after the same job. Ensure the CV speaks to the responsibilities of the job, to show you are more than capable. Think; what makes you unique, where do you stand out over others and reflect that in the CV.

Now take action: How does your CV match up to the above? Update it