You have been in a job for several years now. Is it time for a change? Or perhaps you’re in a new position, and you’re having second thoughts. Maybe, you’re in a job that pays twice as much as any other job you would probably get, but you’re just not having fun anymore. There might be rumors of impending layoffs circulating at work. Should you start looking now rather than waiting for the axe to fall?

Some GOOD reasons to change jobs:

In certain situations it is altogether prudent to start looking.

1. If you feel you are marked for a layoff or firing, start looking immediately.

2. If you cannot get along with your supervisor, it’s best to look elsewhere. If your supervisor is not behind you, he or she will probably eventually find some way to force you out. In the meantime, you stagnate.

3. If the company is going to undergo significant staff reductions, it’s usually best to get out sooner rather than latter.

4. Sometimes family issues require a move to another geographic location. There’s not much you can do in this case except change jobs.

It is important to retain a positive attitude and work ethic up until the very end. You owe this to your employer and to yourself. The beauty of the situation is that if you aren’t happy with your job, you can change it. So don’t become a complainer!

Work satisfaction and job health test:

Ask yourself the following questions relating to the current fitness of your job. Score each question 1 to 10 with 10 being a best-case and 1 being a worst-case scenario.

1. Are you respected at work? Are you making a difference?

2. Do you get along with your co-workers and supervisor?

3. Is there a pleasant physical environment at work?

4. Are you getting intellectual stimulation and growth and are you challenged at your work?

5. How is the career path in this job? (Is it likely that the job will grow with you, or do you see stagnation coming on?)

6. How is the compensation? (Are you paid more or less or the same as others at work and others in a similar position in industry?)

7. Are you in the geographic area you want to be?

8. Does your company have long-term stability, or are there layoffs on the horizon?

9. Do you feel you’ve been marked for “layoff”? Is it just a matter of time?

10. Is this the best job possible for you in your acceptable geographic area?

Now total your scores. If your score is 75 or above, you’re in a pretty good job already. You can probably improve things at work rather than switching. Think twice about changing.

What Job Change Frequency looks good on your resume?

Hiring managers look for continued development and steady advancement within your company. It’s good to be with the same company for a long time; however, you want to show a promotion every few years. Hiring managers tend to see a red-flag if you have been in the same position with the same title for more than five years. So whether it’s within a company or with a new company, your career should advance steadily. Sometimes, just plain bad luck results in a resume that appears as though you’ve been hopping from job to job. This is a handicap to finding another good job. You can overcome this handicap by letting the hiring manager know somehow WHY you have changed jobs so often. In this case you need the advocacy of either a good recruiter or a friend inside the company who can explain your situation. If you just send your resume through a web portal, it will often be rejected before it’s looked at by the hiring manager.

How do I know if I’m being paid fairly?

Sometimes this is a tough question. The annual C&E news salary survey is a good start: link to ACS 2003 Salary Survey You might also your friends who are in similar positions. A good recruiter would know as well. Remember that even if you live in a high cost-of-living area such as Boston or San Diego, salaries are pretty flat across the country for positions in the pharmaceutical and instrument industries. It’s based on supply and demand.

Is your current job “salvageable”?

It might be better to try to improve your current situation rather than to switch jobs. Is there anything you could do to stay at your present company and make your life more pleasant and rewarding? Following are some things you might try: If you are paid too little, why not ask for a raise? If your hours are too long, you might ask if you could work less on weekends or in the evening. If you must move because of spouse, partner, fiancée, etc., does the company have a site in another geographic area where you might transfer? If you don’t get along with your boss or group members, could you switch groups? Could you switch departments to get on a better career track? Normally, if you can resolve your problems within the company, it’s a better option than looking elsewhere. Most good companies try their best to retain good employees. They usually welcome a chance to transfer a valued worker from one spot to another so the employee can grow and progress in their career. Investigate this option before you change companies.

Job Security

Unfortunately, there is no long term job security anymore. Even the largest and most stable companies go through layoffs occasionally. The only security we have is to rely on our own skills and personal qualities to face whatever comes our way.

There is always a risk when you change jobs.

Even if everything looks great before you start your new job, there’s always a risk that it won’t turn out like you had hoped. It’s important to try to learn what the work environment and political landscape are like before you accept a new position. Read between the lines when you are interviewing. Ask questions such as: “could you tell me about the political landscape?”, “what is the company’s culture like?”, “do you enjoy working here?”, and “what sort of turnover do you have in the department?” “Is there high morale?” “Is this a new position, or is it being filled to replace someone who left?” “Why did the other person leave?” “Do people in the group get along well?”

Some interviewers might be eager to let you know what they really think, and they might drop hints or give you their card and ask you to call them. Try to get a balanced view. Remember that there might be one or two people who are simply negative.

When do you offer your resignation?

Only offer your resignation after the signed and accepted offer has been acknowledged by your new employer and you have passed any prerequisite tests – such as a drug test or physical. A written offer can be withdrawn any time prior to the offering company receiving your acceptance. False positive results can occur for the drug test, although these are rare for employment drug testing. (Ask for a re-test by gc/ms in this event.)

What if I’ve accepted a new position, but I’m having second thoughts?

Up until the time you accept, you should weigh the new opportunity very carefully. After you accept the new position, never go back on your word. It is not illegal to do this, but it is unethical and you loose credibility and respect at work as well as generally gain a poor reputation within the community.

When do you change loyalties?

Once you offer your resignation, you have some responsibility to tie-up loose ends. However, many employers recognize the fact that your commitment to their company is no longer complete after you have accepted a new position. They may want you to leave immediately rather than finishing your two to four weeks. Often, if you are in a higher level position, you’ll be asked to leave immediately, perhaps even be escorted by security. Lower level workers might be expected to stay on for a couple of weeks. Whatever happens, don’t take it personally.

Start off your new job on the right footing.

After you accept your new position, make an extra effort to establish credibility within the new company. Works extra hard and generally give your work a little extra effort. Get to know all your colleagues as quickly as possible. Learn all their names and where they fit in. First impressions are extremely important. If they are good, they will carry you a long way into your new career.

Good luck with your job search.

by Stuart Coleman, Manager, MS People
© MS People, 2004

Please email your comments to: spc@mspeople.net , or call 800-361-6008.