Many people are considering switching jobs especially when the economy is not doing well. People switch jobs to make more money due to inflation. While salary is a big factor to consider when switching jobs, it isn’t the only one; you shouldn’t switch jobs quickly, solely for a salary increase.
You will want to make sure that the job description, organisation, and company culture are a good fit for you overall as well. If you only consider the money element, you may quickly end up feeling dissatisfied and burned out.
On the contrary, staying in the same job for a few years will provide opportunities for professional development and experience. Switching jobs isn’t obligatory if you really enjoy your work and organisation. Most companies try to retain their good staff as opposed to regularly recruiting new employees. Labour turnover in Sri Lanka today is at an all time high due to people across all levels leaving the country in search of a better life.
If you work in a high-level, leadership position, such as CMO,CFO, COO or CEO, a company will expect you to stay in that position for five to 10 years to provide the company stability. And other types of professionals, such as doctors or lawyers, would generally be expected to work in a certain organisation for five to seven years to develop their skill set and for career growth. However, this is only a rule of thumb.
Fulfillment is an important factor to consider for long-term career satisfaction. Your values and priorities will change as you grow and experience life changes, so your career may also need to change to continue to provide you with fulfillment.
Changing jobs more than once every two to three years is considered job hopping and employers do not like to recruit such people if there is a choice. Employers look for employees who are there for the long-term so the investment made to un-train, train and develop them can be justified with knowledge and skills retained. Job hoppers raise a red flag with hiring managers and recruiters.
They may not want to invest the time in onboarding and training a new employee if they think that they will leave soon after being hired.
It’s perfectly alright to reevaluate your capacity as a performer, commercial value and priorities every year to see if your job matches up with your value of delivery. If you find that they are out of balance, perhaps there are small changes that you can make in your current job to realign your job with your enhanced capacity.
For example, you could change your schedule to work on harder tasks when you are at your best. If you find that your job no longer is fulfilling even after making adjustments in your current role, it may be time to switch jobs.
Evaluate your current job satisfaction. Keep a journal of your daily reactions to your job situation and look for recurring themes. Which aspects of your current job do you like and dislike? Are your dissatisfactions related to the content of your work, your company culture or the people with whom you work? While you’re doing this, there are some things you can do at your current job to help you prepare to move on when it’s time for a change.
Intellectual growth
Another worthy reason for switching careers is seeking out a job that is more mentally stimulating and intellectually challenging. There’s nothing worse than being bored at work. So, if you find something that will be more interesting for you in the now and give you more in-depth experience for the future, it’s a win-win. Even if the new role seems like a lateral move or the job is within the same industry, switching careers to work for a company that offers a more promising career path is worth consideration. It’s especially important to find out if the prospective employer will invest in your advancement with formal career guidance or technical training.
Being employed by a company that feels like a perfect culture match will make work more enjoyable. It also increases employee satisfaction as well as retention. So, it should be taken seriously. Consider these 10 elements when switching careers for a better company culture fit:
Downside
While changing jobs can bring many benefits, it’s important to also consider the potential drawbacks. Switching jobs too frequently can also affect your professional stability and stunt your professional growth.
Staying in a job for a few years permits you to learn how to work with difficult co-workers and managers, nurture client relations and hone a certain skill set that will make you a more valuable professional.
Why are you leaving your current job? If you’re seeking any old job to just get out of your current situation, it may not be the best move. There are plenty of career opportunities out there and you shouldn’t make a move out of desperation. Be sure you are making the career change because it is the next step in your career path, it better matches your interests and skills or it provides you with more advancement opportunities.
The process of finding a new job and adjusting to a new work environment can be stressful and uncertain. You may not know what to expect in your new role, and there may be a learning curve as you get up to speed in your new position.
Leaving a stable job for a new opportunity can come with a risk of job loss or not having the same level of job security. The new company may have different policies and benefits, and it’s possible that the job may not turn out to be what you expected.
In some cases, taking on a new role may mean accepting a lower salary or a change in benefits. It’s important to carefully consider the compensation package before accepting a new job to ensure that it’s the right decision for you. If the new job requires relocation, this can come with added stress and financial expenses.
It’s important to consider the impact of moving on you and your family, including the cost of housing, transportation, and other expenses. Leaving a familiar work environment for a new role can mean losing the support of colleagues and managers who have become friends. You’ll need to start building new relationships in your new workplace, which can be challenging and take time.
I worked only for two organisations for 33 years and that’s my success but I don’t advocate anyone to follow me. Conditions are very different now but make intelligent decisions and never be driven by emotions.
There are neither good organisations nor good bosses in this world – it’s not real. The reason being that organisations are severely challenged by external factors, and so are the bosses but you can make both good with your attitude, application skills and values.
Changing jobs can bring both benefits and drawbacks. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons and carefully consider the potential impact on your career, finances, and personal life before making a decision.
It’s also crucial to be prepared for the challenges and uncertainties that come with a job change.
