No, this is not an announcement about me. This is a question for you – are you considering making a job change this year? If so, be sure to approach it with an objective and analytical view. Don’t just react to 
something and make a leap. Be sure you know why you’re leaving where you are and what you want next that you can’t get by staying.
In my blog post “Time for a job change?” I posed a series of questions to ask yourself when considering a job change and provided some pointers on starting the process. I closed that post with the reminder that you own your own career and to always be open to the possibilities. But remember, those possibilities might be in the organization that you are in.
In terms of managing your career, “Taking control of your life” is another post worth checking out. Don’t get caught in the “grass is greener” trap. If you do decide to make a move, make sure it’s an organization that you can commit to, that you are doing work you are passionate about, and that you have shared values with your colleagues.
If you are frustrated and restless at work, making a move is not always the answer. Talk with your boss about what the dissatisfiers are and propose changes to improve the situation. Make sure your boss knows both your short and long term professional career goals.
And if you manage people, consider the concept of a “stay interview”. An informal stay interview can help leaders find out what’s important to each of their staff. You can ask questions such as:
- What makes you feel valued at work?
- What would make your job more satisfying?
- What can I do more of or less of as your manager?
- What might tempt you to leave your current position?
Stay interviews are a good way to regularly check in and stay connected to your staff throughout the year. What you learn may give you an opportunity to make some adjustments. After all, hiring the right people is one of the most important jobs of management and retaining and growing them comes next.
Related Posts: