Determining the right time to change jobs and doing it
In the old days, people stayed with a company for anywhere from 25 to 50 years and then retired with a nice little nest egg and a small pension. In today's ever-changing and dynamic job market, people are seen changing jobs at the drop of a hat. I assume the volatile nature of the job market today has forced us to continuously look for and change jobs whenever we find something that pays a little more or offers what we believe to be a little security.
Should you consider jumping ship?
There are many factors that affect a decision to change jobs. Some of them are: lack of security, not getting along with coworkers, low salaries, no chance for advancement, company doing poorly, layoffs expected or abysmal benefits. Do you fall into one of the categories? Do you have another valid reason for wanting to change jobs?
If so, it may be time to consider looking for a new job. Twenty years ago, if you changed jobs more than every five years, you were considered untrustworthy and you would find it difficult to get hired. Today, it is not unusual to change jobs after a year or two. So, if you have been at your current position for a minimum of 12 months, preferably at least 24 months then changing jobs should not impact your reputation or the look of your resume. It could look bad if there's a pattern of staying at jobs for only a year or two, but if it happens occasionally in your work history, it's ok.
What are the factors to weigh?
If you decide that you fall into one of the categories above that indicates you are ready to leave your job, there are several factors you should consider. First, how is the job market? Has anyone close to you recently changed jobs or is everyone battening down the hatches and doing everything possible to keep their job? If the job market is tight you may want to consider waiting to jump ship.
Another factor to consider is whether you are ready to start looking for a job. Is your resume in tip top shape? Do
About the author: Scott Brown is the author of the Job Search Handbook (http://www.JobSearchHandb ook.com). As editor of the HireSites.com weekly newsletter on job searching, Scott has written many articles on the subject. He wrote the Job Search Handbook to provide job seekers with a complete yet easy to use guide to finding a job effectively.
