Once or twice in our lives we all may have over-extended our stay in a particular job. Why? Fear, comfort, or being too lazy to look for another job are among the main reasons, or excuses. Quitting a job is not easy, and unless you’re under extreme stress or duress, I would not recommend it. However, you owe it to yourself to gain the courage to develop an exit plan.
Being in a bad job is almost the same as being in a bad relationship. It causes you stress, feelings of anger and inadequacy, fear and resentment. Life is difficult as it is, so remaining in an unhealthy work environment is not worth the time or effort.
Lack of growth is also a good reason to start looking for other opportunities. A job in which you do the same task over and over will eventually lead to boredom and hinder the opportunity for you to learn new skills and keep up with the latest trends. When this happens, seeking other employment opportunities could be more challenging.
In today’s job market, positions are given to candidates who are knowledgeable and experienced in the most current industry practices. Remaining in a job that does not facilitate the opportunity to tap into the latest industry standards may cause you to have to gain these skills through additional schooling, internships or off-the-job training. This will add more time to your job search and additional personal time and financial resources you may not have.
Research the job market you are interested in. Know what skills are necessary in order to secure an initial interview. Then determine if you need additional training and/or education. There are many courses online that are not too expensive or lengthy that can give you an initial overview on specific subjects.
Network. There’s nothing better than word-of-mouth and personal recommendations. Reach out to colleagues, friends and family, and former coworkers to inform them that you are in the market for a new job. Social media sites such as LinkedIn are also a good way to network.
Join associations in the field you are interested in to start making new connections.
Search often but not daily. Most sites have the same postings from one day to the next. You don’t want to waste your time going through the same job posts.
Don’t get discouraged. It may take a while for you to find the job you want. And during the search, continue to educate yourself and prepare for the new change.
