Some people are comfortable working in the same environment, same company, with the same co-workers for many, many years. My father himself, stayed where he was for more than 20 years. He and my mother used to think that I cannot make a lasting commitment and not serious in having a job. The fact is that, time changes and the way we look at our jobs should also change.
At least that is what I feel.
Setting Your Goal
In anything that you do or want to do, the first step will always be about setting your goal. It's about knowing where you want to go or where you want to be so that you will know which direction to take.
Picture yourself ten years from now. Where will you most likely be? What you will be doing? How will you feel about your situation then? Take time to answer these questions. The answers to these questions will determine your drive to move forward.
Recognizing Your Strengths and Weaknesses
Knowing your skills and the limit that you're willing to go is vital in determining whether your choice of work field is suitable for you. You will also need to assess carefully whether or not you will combat your weaknesses and improve. List down all your strengths and weaknesses. Go through every single one carefully.
List down too the things you need to do to improve. A lot of people say the sky is the limit, as such; there is no limitation to oneself. The only limitation is the limit that we set in our minds.
Motivation
What is your motivation? Is it good looking co-workers? Or training opportunities? Or a nice superior? Is it the location of the office? Might it be a day-care for your little ones? Good benefits; dental, optical and personal loan? Or it might just be opportunities to meet new people and widen your horizon.
Knowing your motivation will set you in the direction you're going. These influence your choice of employers. Some people will want to go to work 15 minutes away from their home. Some would like to travel a lot. Other might prefer to only work with international companies.
Answer this question, and you're another step closer to make the move.
Objective and Expectation
Next, you need to know the reason you want to move. You also need to be sure of your expectation when making the move.
The best time to move on is when you're feeling positive. Why do I say this? It's because being positive is when you're in control. And when you're in control you will be able to influence better. This will make you more employable and attractive to the potential employer.
Do not make a move when you're feeling grouchy or feeling disappointed with the current organisation. If you do this you're more likely to vent out your frustration when the question “Why do you want to leave your current position with XYZ Ltd” comes about. It is never a good idea to say bad things with the current place that you're attached to. It shows that you do not have integrity and respect to the person that has been giving you your salary all these while. Employers never like disgruntled employee.
Set your expectation right. Do not think that the grass is always greener on the other side. There might be better things in certain areas but you have to expect weaker things in other areas. There is always balance in our lives. We have to learn to live with both good and not so good things. So, always be prepared for changes.
Finally…
You've set your goal. You know your strengths and weaknesses. You know what motivates you. You know what is your moving on objectives and expectation from the new opportunities. There is only one thing left.
Update your curricular vitae and start looking! Get in touch with your long lost head hunters or enrol to the online job sites pronto. Make sure you get a good description of the job that you're applying and read on the potential employer. This will ensure you don't get interview hiccups when you're called in.
So, what are you waiting for? Go on, and make that move! All the best!
