There are a lot of things to consider when looking for your next career move: resumes, market, staffing agencies, interviews, commute, money, and potential career growth to name a few.
Before you start your job search you need to make sure you have a clear goal in mind. What is your motivation for a new job?
When I talk to candidates there are often 5 main motivations on why they are seeking a new job. (In no particular order)
1. Career Growth
2. Commute
3. Environment - Culture
4. Length of opportunity - Direct Hire, Contract, Contract to Hire
5. Salary
Career Growth:
If you feel like the position you are in has limited career growth you need to evaluate why you think it is limited. If you feel comfortable with your boss - bring it up in a one-on-one! You want to make sure you lay all your cards on the table and let upper management know you would like additional responsibilities or challenge. Yes, this can be intimidating but what is the worse they can say? "Sorry, we don't have anything!" If that is the case, you are back right where you started - now you just know for sure!
So what kind of career growth are you looking for - leadership, management, different technology, training, certifications?
Once you establish what kind of career growth you are seeking you can seek those opportunities in your new job, ask about it in an interview and set expectations with your next opportunities.
Commute:
Specifically within a large metropolitan area, commute is important. Some candidates I have talked to are completely fine driving over an hour each way, others only want a 10-15 minutes commute. If you are driving so far you have to pay hundreds of dollars in tolls and gas a short commute could help you financially and allow more time with family each day. Knowing what you want your commute to be will allow you to start with a specific territory to search in.
Environment- Culture
Have you ever worked somewhere you didn't like the culture? This could be anything from the people you work with, the office politics, or the work life balance. For example, in one of my past jobs I really enjoyed the people, my job, my clients, career growth, and $100k+ salary but... I had to work 70+ hours a week. In the end, it wasn't worth it to me. It was hard to leave, but at the end of the day work life balance was more important to me. Every job I have had since then, I have set expectations from the beginning on what was acceptable. I don't have a problem working overtime when needed. However, I have to set boundaries - if it is a good manager - they will understand.
Length of Opportunity
With the change in the economy over the past decade you can take your pick on the length of opportunity you would like. There are contract, contract to hire, and direct hire. I have worked all of these! Now, just because it is a contract job doesn't necessarily mean it will be short term or that you won't have a full 40 + hour work week! The main difference between a contract / contract to hire and direct hire position is that with a direct hire position you will more than likely be paid an annual salary and have Paid Time Off. With contract or contract to hire you will be paid hourly! Thus, if you get paid for every hour you work - for example, if you work 60 hours... you get paid for 60 hours! Now, on a contract job since you are being paid hourly you will not have Paid Time Off. Usually this isn't an issue because managers will usually allow you to make up the hours or you may even be paid more per hour to help compensate. Based on what kind of length of opportunity you want that will immediately narrow down what opportunities you will entertain.
Salary
Compensation is usually a touchy subject but one that you must be clear with to begin with. First you need to understand what you need to make as an individual or as a family to maintain your standard of living. You need to consider the TOTAL package including: annual salary, bonus options, stock options, gas, tolls, benefit costs, and vacation time. Also remember that making a move to a new job you may need to take a little bit of a hit because you are losing any seniority you may have built at your current job. When you are asking about bonuses – remember to ask how often they have paid out, this will give you an idea on the likely hood of you getting that. Benefits are probably one of the most important things to review prior to accepting a new job. Don’t be afraid to ask for the benefits when you start the interview process -you will need to know benefit costs when negotiating salary. If the benefits are great then you may be a little more flexible with your annual salary.
I always recommend candidates to rate their top three motivations. After you have identified your top three motivations then you can start looking at opportunities. If an opportunity doesn’t have any of the top three then it probably isn’t going to be the right fit. Remember, you are looking for a new career—not just any JOB.
I believe God always opens the right doors in his time. Do not get discouraged if a particular job doesn’t work out, that just means something better is right around the corner. Trust God and have faith and reassurance he has the right place for you.
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6
Have faith,
Graceful Mrs.
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