Many indicators flash when someone is ready to change jobs. Maybe they clean up their resume, start perusing job boards, place a call to their favorite recruiter, or increase the complaint frequency to their friends and family about their professional situation. Sometimes the reasons for evaluating other opportunities are appropriate, but sometimes they aren’t. Sometimes the timing is good, and sometimes it is bad. We have spent a great deal of time as recruiters separating legitimate career wounds from those that are not. 

If you are thinking of changing jobs, below is a list of concerns that you may be considering. The first section is a group of wounds that we do not necessarily consider to be severe enough to require a job change. If you’re thinking of changing jobs and would place yourself in this category, it might be a good idea to re-evaluate your situation and consider sticking it out. If you would place yourself in the second section, the time is probably right to check out other opportunities.

You might want to re-think changing jobs

1) Compensation – This is always a dangerous reason to change jobs. If candidates enjoy their job but feel they’re not being compensated appropriately, I always urge them to stick it out. The frustration level of candidates who are looking for more appropriate reasons are always more intense than those who are looking to leave their current situation for money reasons. 

2) Personality Conflicts – If interpersonal clashes are motivating you to look at new opportunities, I would suggest staying put. Generally, there are two sides to any story about inner-office clashes so leaving a position without resolving something like this can potentially burn bridges. Often, these can even be a great development opportunity for both parties who learn to work together and may expand their ability to blend in with different people.

Personality conflicts in the office can be exceptional opportunities to create a success story that could really highlight a candidate’s ability to work with people of different backgrounds in different divisions with different viewpoints and enhance their marketability.

3) Opportunism – If I call a candidate to discuss an opportunity and they indicate that the reason that now is an appropriate time for them to look at another job is because, in their words, “you called me”, then the conversation doesn’t last very long. If this is truly the case, then the candidate probably really likes their job, they’re probably engaged in their job and they’re most likely thrilled to go into the office every morning. If that is really the case, then why bother with a great situation?

Now is the time to make a move

1) Geography – If geography is getting in the way of a happy life, then the timing is good to make a change. As a recruiter, it is extremely fulfilling to help a candidate from the Northeast get closer to family, or to help a professional from Omaha get back home, or to help a native Californian get back to the Pacific Ocean. The pull of family and the comfort of home can be a strong and is absolutely an appropriate reason to investigate other opportunities.

2) Lack of Progression Opportunity – Companies want to hire candidates who have a burning desire to get something accomplished in their career. For some people that means that they’re looking to enhance their technical exposures. For others it means that they want to continue to progress and develop their leadership skills. For many, it means that they want to work for a company that will continually challenge them to grow.

For some people, working in a stagnant environment can be comfortable and stress free. But, for others who are passionate about driving their career forward, it can be maddening. If a candidate falls into the second of these two categories, then changing jobs could be an exceptional solution.

 3) Lack of Recognition – Progressive companies today have realized that an excellent way to enhance employee retention is to up the recognition levels. I am happy to say that C&A Industries does a fabulous job of recognizing people who stand out and work hard. I speak with candidates every day who have a measurable track record of meaningful impact that goes completely unnoticed.  For many people, job satisfaction is strongly affected by how much of an impact one feels that they are making in their company. It is very easy to get beaten down by an environment that doesn’t take time to say “thank you” and that pain can be alleviated by making an impact on a more appreciative organization. It is amazing how much employee satisfaction goes up when people are recognized for doing things the right way.

Evaluate your reasons, and when the time is right, start your career search with confidence knowing you have considered all the pros and cons.

Jeff Kovar, Aureus Group Recruiter

About Jeff Kovar

Jeff has been with the Aureus Group Executive Search team since September 2008 and in the recruiting business since April 2007. Prior to entering the recruiting world, he worked for five years in the corporate currency exchange business. He specializes in working with $100K+ candidates in the actuarial, financial, accounting, banking, and many other functional areas from coast to coast. Jeff enjoys golfing, watching Nebraska football, spending time with his wife Jenny and jogging with their two labs – Freddy and Cali.