Is it Time to Move On? Evaluating Your Current Career

With the New Year comes a mountain of New Year’s resolutions, career-related and otherwise—and let’s face it, only a scant few of us persevere past the first couple of months.  Now that we’re almost three months into the year, make sure your professional resolutions don’t fall flat by setting manageable goals and taking an honest look at your career status.

As spring approaches, it’s a great time to evaluate your current position—and where you want to go from here.  If you’re considering a career change, but are unsure about leaving your current job, try our method:

1. Make a “pros and cons” list.  Making lists is an extremely effective way to make difficult decisions, even professional ones.  Seeing the benefits and negative aspects of your current job side-by-side and quantified can help you make a more objective, less emotion-driven choice.
2. Once you have your list, brainstorm ways to meliorate the cons.  Many employment issues can be resolved through better communication.  For example:
   1. If you’re having an issue with a supervisor or another employee, approach that person.  Try discussing your work-related tensions in a low-pressure environment, perhaps over coffee or lunch.
   2. If you feel overwhelmed with responsibilities or inundated with unexpected tasks, approach your supervisor.  He or she may offer to lighten your load or teach you some work management techniques.
   3. If changes in your personal life require a change in your hours, bring this up with your supervisor.  Many companies are flexible and willing to hire part-time employees.
   4. If you feel you aren’t making enough money, communicate your desire for a higher salary in a way that is both clear and respectful.  If a promotion is available, ask what you can do to be considered as a serious candidate.  If a promotion isn’t available, get creative—tell your supervisor that you want to take on more responsibility, and suggest ways in which your skills can be utilized.
   5. If you want to be challenged more, express this to your supervisor.  He or she will respect your ambition, and may work with you on tailoring your position to your specific skillset.
   6. If you think you’re stagnating in your cubicle, approach your supervisor or Hiring Manager and ask him or her about the company’s hiring process.  If the company doesn’t do much internal hiring, it’s time to move on.
3. If you’ve exhausted all your problem-solving avenues and still have issues at work, it could be time to make a change.  However, this decision should be made after thoughtful contemplation, not in anger and resentment.  Explore alternative courses, but be sure not to burn any bridges in the process.

Whether your New Year’s resolution was to make a major career change, land that big promotion everyone’s been vying for, or simply prove yourself by taking on more responsibility, communication is paramount.  Make the most of your current career or decide to move on by being respectful, open, and honest with your coworkers and employers.