Is it getting harder and harder to get out of bed every day? Do you get no satisfaction out of finished projects at all? Do you sometimes want to staple stuff on your colleagues’ head? Well well... Dear friend, you might just need to change jobs!
In this article, I will guide you through this transition phase, step by step. It is quite hard (not to say impossible) to give THE best solution, simply because every situation is unique. However we can outline a few behaviors that will always help in this chaotic period.
THE BAD REASONS FOR CHANGING JOBS
Quitting your job has been in your mind for a while, and you feel like you have to make a decision as soon as possible or you might end up under medication. Obviously this choice is based on subjective reasons, and you are the only person able to weigh them… But there are still a few things NOT to do, or you might feel sorry in the future:
Taking a hasty decision. As tempting as it might seem, throwing it all away and resigning on an impulse will never, ever be a good idea. Period. To improve your current situation, build a project that you care about, and give you some time to actually think about it. Rushing into things might end up in putting your faith in somebody else’s hands, and that wouldn’t be in your best interest.
Blindly listening to other people’s advice. It is important to discuss such a big decision with your close ones, who can often bring a fresh vision on the problem. But be careful: they might not weigh all the consequences of this choice, or lack a global vision on the situation. To discuss this matter, choose people who know your situation, or professionals who know the market but don’t have a direct interest in your decision.
Trying to run away from your problems. When facing too much pressure, a manager with a poor decision-making, or when it feels like your work is not well recognized… You might be tempted to give up. Although these reasons are good ones when it comes to bring some change in your professional life, it doesn’t necessarily mean changing jobs!
CHANGING JOBS: THE TO-DO LIST
If you’re going to play with your professional life, you might want to play Risk rather than throw dice. Put on your strategist suit and follow the next steps.
First things first, take stock of your situation: presence in the company, comparison of your current situation with the previous years… Then, imagine your dream job. Compare the differences, sort them out by priority and feasibility too see things more clearly.
Now that you know where your frustration comes from, which elements are most important to you and how easy they are to achieve, you can set up some changes in your current position to try and make it closer to your dream job. Some changes will require the approval of your managers, and you should always try to choose the best moment to bring them up: a coffee break is better than the day before a big launch, if you know what I mean… Your yearly review is also a good time to mention it, but do not hesitate to engage the conversation beforehand if you feel like you cannot wait. Once these changes are made, give yourself some time to draw consequences on the results. Did you strategy work, or was it a failure? Is it definitive, or can you try again?
If you’re still not getting anything out of your work, start asking around about working conditions in other companies. Linkedin, Viadeo, Glassdoor, companies’ career websites… All these resources give a good overview on how employee-focused these companies are. Don’t hesitate to ask current employees from a company you like, or your alumni network!
By now you should have all the cards in hand to make a sound decision. If you’re still in doubt, get in touch with one of our consultants, we’re always happy to help!
WHAT NEXT?
Once you made your decision, there are still a few rules to follow to handle the transition with a minimum of class. For example, when looking for a job, do not, EVER, talk badly of your previous experience, no matter how horrible it was. Instead, try to outline what you learnt, and what you can bring to this new company.
When leaving your current position, make sure you let your managers and colleagues know: negotiate your leaving terms, train the next employee if necessary, and keep good relationships with everyone. BONUS: don’t forget to take all of your vacation days before your leave!
