Consider these factors to determine if leaving current employer is right move
Dear Sam: When do you know it’s the right time to leave your company? I have been really struggling with the decision to go to a bigger company where I would have more opportunities for advancement. I truly enjoy working at my current company and love what I do, and I feel guilty for even thinking about moving on after being there only nine months. What should I consider before accepting this new job? — Kate
Dear Kate: While the allure of more opportunities can be tempting, quitting your job can be a scary prospect. There are many factors to consider, and the decision will require you to do some honest self-examination. Before jumping ship, take time to make a list of pros and cons for each position to see if the reasons to stay outweigh the reasons to go. When comparing the two, consider not only the salary and job responsibilities, but also the work environment, flexibility and benefits. Also, remember that any new opportunity worth considering should add value to your life in multiple areas, including improving your ability to be creative, grow personally and professionally, and enhance your network. Even though there could be some benefits to working for a larger company, consider the following: First, are you certain there are no opportunities for advancement within your current company? If you’re feeling unfulfilled or underutilized in your role, perhaps you could talk to your supervisor about taking on additional responsibilities or participating in professional-development training to grow your skill set. If you have some creative freedom in your current role, you may be able to increase your sense of achievement at work, and your added skills may even open the door to a promotion. If a better salary is your main objective, you might want try to renegotiate the pay for your current job. Before discussing a pay increase with your supervisor, do some research about salary levels for your position in similar companies in the same region to determine whether your salary is in line with your industry, job and experience. Salary-comparison websites such as www. Payscale.com and www.Salary.com can give you an idea of pay ranges for your job title or job duties based on geographic region. To compare salaries for job titles at your specific company, www.Glassdoor.com will show job listings on your company’s website, providing clues as to what someone hired in your role today would make. Important note: If your employer is unable to offer more money, you could try to renegotiate additional benefits such as vacation time, paid parental leave, sick leave, flexible work time, telecommuting and more. If renegotiating your position or salary at your current company is not an option and you decide it is in your best interest to move on, it is important to leave on a good note and to maintain positive relationships with your colleagues and supervisors. When resigning, do so professionally and honorably by giving adequate notice (typically at least two weeks), by writing a formal resignation letter and by offering to help during the transition. Finally, while leaving a job after nine months isn’t ideal, it should not affect your career trajectory in the long run. It is best not to have months listed on your resume (only years), so formatting your resume should not be an issue in the future. As long as you are comfortable talking about your reasons for leaving your current position in future interviews, I would not let your length of tenure impact your decision to stay or move on. Even if you love your job, it’s pretty normal to question if you’d be better off somewhere else. Ultimately, the decision is a personal one based on your values, priorities and circumstances. By doing research and strategically evaluating both options, you will hopefully come to the decision that is best for you.
— Samantha Nolan is a certified professional resume writer and the owner of Nolan Branding, a full-service resume-writing firm. Email resume or job-search questions to dearsam@nolanbranding.com. To find out more about Nolan and her services, visit www.nolanbranding.com, or call 614-570-3442 or 888-952-3928.