Switching jobs. We’ve all done it. We’ve all thought about it. And you may be thinking about it right now? One regular to the comms2point0 site is so decided to ask a group of peers for advice and support.
by an anonymous guest blogger
In a WhatsApp group somewhere in Great Britain, a million dollar (or more precisely £28-33K) question was recently posed.
The answers that came back were far too good not to share. So here they are for your edification.
It went something like this…
“So a rather unusual day for me today as I had a job interview. The thing is, if I get offered it I’m not totally sure if I want it!
My current job is OK. It’s comfortable, I’ve got flexitime and I like my colleagues. OK so I’m not really developing much, our most recent restructure really sucked and maybe I’m getting a teeny bit jaded. But it’s really not that bad.
Meanwhile the potential new job is a bit risky. I would learn loads but it’s going to be challenging and I might not be up to it. It also so happens not to be permanent! I don’t know if I’m ready for this super-agile, 21st century shizzle! If I do get offered it I need to be ready to make a decision - and fast! Pray tell me, oh wise ones, what should I do?”
Before, ahem, *my friend* had even had time to click away from WhatsApp to check Twitter, the answers came pouring in. And boy were they good. If you’ve ever had doubts about whether to take a risk and change jobs, please read on.
H - “Oooooh, that’s so exciting! I myself made a leap recently, from something secure to a 12 month contract. Don’t regret it at all.
Some things to be aware of - I am working with lovely people but I don’t yet have the close relationships of long term colleagues. And taking on all that new stuff has mentally drained me more than I thought it would.
BUT:
- I feel so much bolder and confident in myself and my abilities.
- It’s interesting and exciting and I feel like I’m achieving every day.”
So far so good! #positive. Who’s next?
G - “I’d say go with your heart. Are you excited? Do you really hope they offer it? Can you see opportunities beyond this -will it set you up for even better things? What about where you are - will anything change in the foreseeable future? Can you influence that? Or are you just ready to go now?”
Hmm. Was that a rhetorical question...
T - “Some temp jobs end up lasting a long time - but it’s unpredictable. Assuming you don’t want to move, what’s the employment market like in the sector within commutable distance?“
F - “So much of the decision will depend on what else is going on in your life - remember work isn't everything! (It's taken me 20 years to start to understand that!).”
Food for thought there. Let’s hear some more!
D - “I think it's important to push yourself and explore new opportunities.
I have always sworn by the 'next day wake-up test' - what is the first thing which comes into your head when you wake: do you want the job or not?”
A - “It’s nice to look at options, even if it makes you realise you value what you already have more. Either way it will have put you in the mindset to look around. There do seem to be a lot of roles out there at the moment.”
F - “If the fixed term is shortish (up to a year) is there any chance of doing a career break/secondment? As you will bring a whole list of lessons back when you've finished!”
Ahah - secondment - what great idea.
L - “As a serial changer for the past eight years or so I always ask myself - what's the worst that can happen? And is that any worse than where you are now?
And then, more importantly, ask what's the best that can happen if you do move - and what if you miss out on THAT?”
V - “Sit with your family and talk through the worst possible outcome and decide if you could live with that. If you can then you’re in a good place to go for it.”
S - “After nine years in my old job I moved to a new sector three years ago. It was exhausting to start with. But new challenges, stepping out of your comfort zone, reenergising yourself with a whole new working world - that stuff is so good and refires the brain and the creativity. I felt it was time to leave my old job and the right opportunity appeared. If it feels right, it probably is.
J - “I moved from a secure role to a two year contract, with less money and on paper not an upwards move. In the end I couldn’t stop thinking about it and knew from day one it was absolutely the right job for me. It has worked out even better than I could have imagined. I am more confident, creative and invested in what I do ....and it did lead to a more permanent and senior role so taking the chance paid off.”
E - “I’m a massive believer in things happening for a reason. Take whatever you can from the opportunity - grip whatever it brings and run with it.”
So what happened? Did my *friend* get the job? Did they take it?
Well at the time of writing, they still hadn’t heard. So fingers crossed eh? But they did mention they were definitely going to ask about secondment, as it sounds like the best of both worlds. If you don’t ask, you don’t get, right?
And how about you, dear reader? Are you stuck in a job that’s just OK? Like your team but your workload is just meh? Not developing as much as you’d like? Fancy a move but you feel like your feet have grown roots that need an industrial sized digger to remove yourself from your sheltered position in the corner of the office?
Maybe it’s time to disrupt the comfort zone and start looking at what else is out there. Good luck!!
image via Tullio Saba
