Look before you make the New Year career leap, expert advises
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Look before you make the New Year career leap, expert advises
Workers looking for a New Year career change should consider reinventing their current role first, a careers expert advises.
Tim Roche, head of Career Management at Right Management, the career and talent management consulting firm, says it’s common for the New Year to bring thoughts of reinvention.
“A new year can be a catalyst for us to re-evaluate our lives, especially with time to reflect over the holidays. We can end up coming back to work feeling dissatisfied with our job or career direction,” he said.
Before making the leap to a new role, however, Mr. Roche advises workers to consider if the grass is really greener.
“Don’t forget the ‘career equity’ you’ve already built in your current job. If you understand the dynamics of your current workplace, the informal power and how to be successful within it, it may be better to stay. The key is to have a frank conversation with your manager and see if there are ways you could boost your satisfaction.”
Mr Roche said one of the most effective ways to do this, Mr Roche says, is to seek out ‘stretch’ activities that bring a new level of challenge.
“Work on a new product launch, be part of a cross-company project, or find something you’re passionate about and build a business case to adopt it in the company. Essentially, you need activities that will enrich your current role,” he said.
If changing jobs is still the solution, Mr Roche recommends undertaking a self-evaluation first, based on the following questions:
- What are my strengths and interests? “It’s not simply a matter of ‘I can do that’ – it’s about what gives you a buzz when you’re doing it. Think of the times when you are so absorbed in your work, it doesn’t even feel like work.”
- How do I like to work? “It’s not as simple as, ‘I love books, I want to work in publishing’. Think of the actual day-to-day tasks – do you love working with other people, or do you prefer data and analysis? Do you want to manage projects, or do you prefer to be creating something?” Mr Roche said.
- What are my work values? “It may be a high degree of predictability, a team environment, or perhaps opportunities for individual reward. Whatever your preferences, these values need to match the role you are considering,” according to Mr Roche.
If offered a position, research it properly before accepting, Mr Roche said.
“Candidates can get frustrated by a long recruitment process, but it’s actually the best approach – after all, how much can you find out by simply sitting in an interview room?”
Mr. Roche says it’s also useful to meet potential peers, and get a feel for the workplace.
“Ask them about the good, the bad and the ugly, in order to get a more complete picture of where you’ll spend at least 40 hours a week,” he said.
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Editor’s Note: About Right Management
Right Management (www.right.com) is the talent and career management expert within ManpowerGroup, the global leader in employment services. Right Management helps clients win in the changing world of work by designing and executing workforce solutions that align talent strategy with business strategy. Our expertise spans across talent assessment, leadership development, organisational effectiveness, employee engagement and workforce transition. Right Management partners with companies of all sizes. More than 80% of Fortune 500 companies are currently working with us to help them grow talent, reduce costs and accelerate performance.
Right Management is a wholly owned subsidiary of ManpowerGroup., leader in the employment services industry, creating and delivering services that enable its clients to win in the changing world of work.
Media contacts:
Danielle Murdolo, Buchan, 03 9866 4722, 0403 688 980 or dmurdolo@bcg.com.au
Belinda Thomson, Buchan, 02 9237 2800, 0421 193 668 or bthomson@bcg.com.au
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