Traditionally, year-end is a time when we take stock of things in our lives, from finances to personal relationships (hence the uptick in marriage proposals over the holidays), to our work situations.
This year-end, of course, will not be a traditional one by any measure. But even as the pandemic and its fallout continue to direct our decision-making, it seems as if we’re simultaneously learning to make plans in the eye of the storm, so to speak.
To that end, I’ve spoken with a number of workers over the past few weeks who are weighing options to change jobs. In many cases, they’re responding to unfavorable circumstances in the current job, with the sense that switching employers might be the most effective way of improving their situation.
In principle, that’s sound logic. But in practice, this may not be the best time to make that choice. With the impact of COVID-19 still unfolding throughout various parts of our economy, leaving one employer for another feels like a gamble right now.
The classic question: Does being the last one hired increase your odds of being the first one fired if the new company sheds workers? Instinct (and experience) tells us that being the new kid in this case isn’t an advantage.
Nor is job search a simple process these days. It’s frustrating to everyone, but managers are increasingly giving the “We’re on hold” message to candidates who have been interviewed and even background-checked, sometimes just short of a start date.
My take on all this is pretty conservative: Hold onto your job just a little longer if you can. Use the effort you would have spent on a job search to improve your current circumstances instead. Then, revisit the issue in the first quarter of next year, to see how changes in the economy, the political landscape and vaccine availability may improve your prospects.
Here are three ideas to help with the “stay put” course of action.
1. Improve your current job. If you can identify what’s most troubling with your job, you may be able to fix it. The answer could range from your boss to your duties to your colleagues, although one hopes it’s not all three. In that case, prioritize: If you could fix just one thing in your current work, what would it be?
Once you’ve made that analysis, your next step is to troubleshoot. Can you decrease your involvement with particular tasks? Would it be possible to lessen your contact with certain co-workers or customers? Perhaps reducing your hours for a few weeks would give you some relief, if you can afford the drop in pay.
2. Request a new job internally. If your organization is large enough to have other departments or units, you may be able to capture some of the benefits of changing jobs without having to find a new employer. This would be an effective way of resolving the problem of not fitting well with a current boss, since you would be starting with a new supervisor in this scenario.
To make this process work, you’ll want to get familiar with internal policies regarding transfers. Assuming there won’t be a problem, your next step is to review any internal postings and respond accordingly.
But don’t stop there — remember that positions can languish on a manager’s wish list without actually getting posted. To increase your chances of making a switch, start networking with colleagues or contacting different managers directly to express your interest in a move.
3. Sit tight and prepare for an external search. If you can’t easily improve your current job and no other prospects seem likely internally, you still have the option of gritting your teeth and hanging on. In this case, you’ll get some relief — and create a better exit ramp for later — by using the time to prepare for a stronger job search. To do that, think along the lines of networking, building skills, earning certifications, joining professional associations and other strategies that will make you more appealing to future employers.
Regardless of which of these options you take (or even if you take all three), don’t forget to update your resume and LinkedIn profile. If your ship comes in unexpectedly, you don’t want to be scrambling to make your SOS sign.
Free job search sessions
Move Forward — a series of free online presentations, December 7-11. I’ll be kicking off a week of online sessions for job seekers offered by Ramsey County (Minnesota), with It’s a New Game: Job search during COVID-19 at 10am CT on Monday, December 7. To register for my talk or any of the free events, go to https://ift.tt/3lLWmb5. All are welcome.
"current" - Google News
December 06, 2020 at 12:32AM
https://ift.tt/33OZhtd
Amy Lindgren: Troubleshoot your current job before looking elsewhere - TwinCities.com-Pioneer Press
"current" - Google News
https://ift.tt/3b2HZto
https://ift.tt/3c3RoCk
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Amy Lindgren: Troubleshoot your current job before looking elsewhere - TwinCities.com-Pioneer Press"
Post a Comment