As we approach the end of the year it’s often a time for reflection, so how are you feeling about work? What have you achieved this year? If you’re starting to get itchy feet but you’re unsure whether it’s the right time to make the move then you need to ask yourself a few questions. We’re always on hand too if you need any further advice!
Are you feeling fulfilled in your current job?
It might seem like an obvious question but sometimes it’s the one we forget to ask ourselves when we debate moving jobs. Often we’ll think about money or a difficult manager but it’s important to put those things aside initially and think about whether you feel satisfied in your current job. Do you feel challenged? Though no-one expects to love every single day of their work, you should expect to feel that you’re working towards something and get job satisfaction for your efforts.
Are you worried about the market conditions?
Currently market conditions are difficult to predict and with Brexit on the horizon it can be hard to see how things will pan out. However take a look at what the job market looks like at the moment in your industry. Are there lots of opportunities out there? Are companies scaling down? Or could your skills suddenly be more valuable in a different industry? We believe there will always be opportunities for talented and experienced people who work hard, so do your research.
What do you have to offer?
Think about the skills and experience you’ve gained throughout your career, all the different projects you’ve been involved in and all the training you’ve received. Often when candidates do this they’re surprised at how much they have to offer to a new role. It also helps to understand what particular projects you enjoyed the most so you can understand the direction you might want to take your career in. Plus it makes updating your CV much easier.
Do you feel you’re being suitably rewarded?
As well as job satisfaction, do you feel you’re receiving the financial rewards you deserve? Not just salary but also the benefits? Take a look around and see what other companies offer as most places tend to promote the benefits of working for them on their website. Salaries can be more difficult to find out, however take a look at similar job descriptions and see what salary is being advertised, as this can help you benchmark yourself. Of course there is more to work than money, but no-one likes to feel like they’re working for less than they deserve. Your recruiting partner will also have a good feel for the state of the market so will be able to give you a ballpark figure.
What do you gain from staying in your current role?
If you have a promotion on the horizon or new challenges coming from changes within the company, then it might be worth exploring those opportunities. However if you feel there is little to gain or that you’ve reached your limit then a career move might be on the cards. Sometimes what you gain is job security and stability so be sure to consider that too, however also consider what will make you happy and fulfilled in your career.
Why are you thinking of leaving your current job?
People decide to move jobs for a number of different reasons and it’s really important to understand what your reason is. If you’re thinking of leaving because you want to show the
company how it will fall apart without you, that’s completely understandable and we’ve all been there! However the positive feeling you get from this will be short-lived so you need to make sure you’re moving to a better role rather than jumping quickly to prove a point. If you’re leaving because you want more money, better benefits or a progression plan then go for it!
Where do you want to be in the next five years?
It’s the interview question everyone dreads as there’s no real way of knowing and often we don’t want to commit ourselves and close down other opportunities. However taking the time to think about the future and where you want your career to go is really important. For example if you want to be in a supervisory or management role and there isn’t the opportunity in your current company, then making a move could be a good thing.
Hopefully by looking at the above questions and spending some time answering them will help you determine if you’re ready to make the move!
Here at CNM Recruitment we specialise in Built Environment recruitment across Yorkshire and the North of England. Whether you work within Construction, Engineering, Maintenance, Surveying, Architecture or Facilities Management, we can help find the right opportunity for you.