7 Questions You Should Ask Yourself before Switching Jobs
By devika
When you feel tired of your existing work routine and life begins to look monotonous, many professionals tend to look for a change of scene. Some may think of vacations while others may turn to a more permanent solution like a change of job. The latter becomes even more complex when the individual begins to consider another field of work altogether. For such professionals, it is necessary that you sit down and mull over what you want and what you need. While it is no use to stay on in a rut, a change of career can be a tricky situation, especially if you are not certain of how things will shape up in the future. And since the grass always seems greener on the other side of the fence, it is vital for you to honestly answer these questions before you say good-bye to your existing job.
1. Why do I want to change my job?
You don’t want to jump out of the frying pan to land into the fire. So you must have a solid reason for the job change. It could be because –
- You are not interested in the area of work anymore
- You have served for too long and feel taken for granted
- You are undervalued and underpaid
- Restructuring led to a change in your role that you hadn’t settled for
- You feel you are not progressing
- You don't like your manager or co-workers
2. What type of work do I want to do?
Sit and analyze your current job and career. Then think of what you really want to do. Is your present position worth giving up for this aspiration? Try to determine what kind of work will make you happy and your life more pleasant. Rather than rushing the process, you can make less drastic changes and still be happy.
You can look for a different job the same industry, find a similar job in a different industry or simply modify your current profile. But do not try to change all these at the same time. For instance, if you are a marketing manager with an MBA degree you can even venture into the field of online marketing and social media. It’s all about what prospects you would like to explore. You can either join an IT company offering such services or maybe even start providing freelance services from home which will then give you more flexibility.
Think of what whether you want to –
- Meet new people
- Do less paperwork
- Have fewer people in your team
- Travel
- Have flexible work hours or work-from-home option
3. What transferable skills and capabilities do I possess?
- Organizational skills
- Detailed research work
- Teaching or lecturing
- Fundraising know-how
- Effectively implementing ideas and initiatives
- People skills
Transferable skills and capabilities like these help you in career change. Think about roles where you will be able to utilize them and you can decide better. You can even try a sideway move or a consultancy service.
4. What am I expecting?
When you think of a new career, make sure it is something you are passionate about. Think of the reason that is driving you today, will it drive you tomorrow? Even though you are likely to get a fat pay cheque in your new role, let it not be the only reason to fascinate you. You may have to do this work day in day out so look for more reasons to take it up. Also make sure that this profile is in harmony with your core principles and values.
5. Am I prepared to start all over again?
This can happen if you have decided to change your industry altogether. Even if you have agreed for a complete change, you still need to think about your family. Starting from square one may require them to live differently and more humbly.
6. How much salary do I need to earn?
This is probably the most crucial question you ought to ask yourself. Analyze you current finances and write down all expenses. Assess the income, outgoings, extra expenses like your child’s school fee or mortgages. This will give you a clear perspective of how much money you require to earn over a year. See if you can make any cuts to it. Then think of what your new job will provide.
7. Will I regret not moving?
People tend to regret not doing certain things. Will this be one of those decisions? If you think you will be blaming yourself for not moving on at the right time, you should probably go ahead and change what you don’t like. You should not sit down after five years and sulk about having the opportunity and not taking it.
These crucial questions (and their answers) will help you to evaluate your current position, think it through and clearly understand your future prospects. So take your sweet time and choose whatever is best for you!
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