5 Reasons to Look for a New Job

“If at first you don’t succeed, do it like your mother told you.” ~Author Unknown

When I started my career (sometime after the Ice Age but before the Internet Bubble Burst), there was an expectation that you would get a job and stay with that company for your entire career. Sure people moved, but not that often. If you had more than 2 jobs you were viewed as “unstable”. If any job was held for less than 5 years, even worse. How times have changed. Now, if you are in one place more than three years it is unusual. If you’ve only had one job (and you’ve been working more than 4 years) your chances of landing another are cut quite a bit. I’m not sure I believe all of it, but some of it is definitely true. Companies are looking for people with diverse backgrounds (not those that are at one company for 20 years). Of course there is an exception to every rule and I’m not suggesting that you get a new job every two years, but if you feel like you are in a rut, maybe now is the time.

1. You are not Paid Enough – Well I guess we all feel that we could get paid more, but if you think you are seriously underpaid or could get more money if you made a move then now is the time to look. You can also get a feel for what you are worth at some of the salary guide sites (see below). Also, if no one will hire you for more money then you have your answer.

• Salary Wizard from Salary.com – Type in your title and the location and click search. Once you get to the jobs page you can click for salary info. Or, go to the Browse Salaries section mid page.
• Glassdoor.com’s Salary Index – Same deal, type in you title and location and click search salaries. You can also use the various salary links and combinations later on the page.

2. Too Long on the Job – As mentioned above, who knows what “too long” really is, but if you’ve been in one place for a long time with no longer term prospects in the near future, maybe you should be looking to see what else is out there.

• How long is too long in one job? – This links to a chart that may help you decide.
• Don’t work for the same company for too long – One more view, with a little story.

3. Your Company (or You) May Not be Around for Long – Maybe your company is not doing well (if it is a publicly traded company, this is easy to check), they’ve just been acquired, they are about to be acquired, they are starting to fire people – you get the picture. In some cases, it may make sense to stay until the end if there is a good severance package or a bonus to stay until the end. If not, it doesn’t hurt to start looking.

• My Company’s Being Acquired: What Will Happen To Me?
• Warning Signs Of A Company In Trouble

4. It Takes Way too Long to Get to and From Work – If you leave for work before the rooster gets up and get home after curfew, maybe your commute is too long. Sometimes companies move and your commute gets longer, sometimes you move house or sometimes you really needed the job and did not care about the commute. Chances are, there is a job closer to home (and there is only one way to find out).

• Snagajob.com – Enter your zip code, hit Go. The rest is easy
• Job.com – Same deal – type of job, Zip Code and hit continue

5. You Hate Your Job – As long as you are not the owner (if you are, that’s another story), then what are you waiting for? You know the old saying “The grass is always greener on the other side” (see my post on this), so make sure you are not leaving for a problem that will exist in your new job as well. That being said, make a list of what you don’t like so that you are clear so that you can compare any new opportunities.

• I Hate My Job – What To Do When You Hate Your Job
• I Hate My Job! 55% of Americans Agree. Try These 5 Steps to Fix it

Good luck in your search.

 

Guest Post from CareerAlley

Article courtesy of the Recruiting Blogswap, a content exchange service sponsored by CollegeRecruiter.com, a leading site for college students looking for internships and recent graduates searching for entry level jobs and other career opportunities.