With the recent great resignation going on, everyone in tech seems to be having a few job opportunities lined up. BUT. Just because the job market is heating up more than ever, you shouldn't be quitting your job just because someone comes knocking. You have no idea how bad the tenure looks to employers who are looking at CVs with 4 job changes in a year.
Taking a leaf from the different lived experiences of people I have met and interviewed in my 15 years as a recruiter in Progression, here are four things you should avoid in your path to a successful career that you love and so deserve, instead of jumping on the bandwagon to change for the sake of changing.
1. Not setting your career direction
When you were younger, you were often asked the old age question – “What do you like to be when you grow up?” More often than not, our answers then were – a doctor, a lawyer, an engineer, or a teacher. However, when we eventually grew up, we started to disregard and forget about this question, because we think it doesn’t apply to us anymore. We’re already grown up.
We should avoid that; we can still ask ourselves - what do you like to be? Even as adults, we need to have a goal. It can be moving to a certain domain or attaining certain skills. In tech, there are a few areas that are evergreen (like cybersecurity, cloud infra, ERP, etc), or you like to be in the exciting and high-risk new tech space just before it “crosses the chasm”. There are candidates who just do startups after startups. What is your direction? What will garner a USP for you and yet still doing something you enjoy?
We should always work our way towards achieving just that. Will a new job set you on that path? Think more.
2. Not building your network.
While your merits are your own, it’s never a one-man show. There will always be people who will advocate for you throughout your career. You should never forget the people who helped you to get you where you are now, and you should keep on cultivating a network that can pave the way for you to get where you want to go.
Just like what Morpheus told Neo in the movie The Matrix: “I can only show you the door; you’re the one that has to walk through it.” There will always be people showing you the door, and there is no shame if you receive some help along the way.
And help people back, whenever you can. You get what you give, eventually. The universe works like that. Your network is always useful when you need a job and some friendly career advice.
3. Taking on a role solely for the money.
We are indeed working to earn a living, but we shouldn’t make our important career decisions solely on money. There has to be more consideration other than just a fat wallet.
You don’t grab an opportunity just because it pays well, even though you see red flags in every direction. You accept a new role because it propels you forward towards your career goals – including but not limited to financial stability.
Studies show that the current mix of the talent market ranges from Gen Zs to Babyboomers. We see more Gen Xers joining the younger generation gearing more towards meaningful jobs, more time off, gig type work, and benefits depending on which stage of your life. Work cannot be one-dimensional when you spend at least a 1/3 of a day doing it. It has to provide a lot more just than the financial aspects of your life, as a holistic person. Is the new role aligning with your life goals?
4. Not communicating your direction/growth with your company
Most of the candidates do not have a problem asking for more perks, benefits, a more interesting job scope when it comes to negotiating in a new job. They could have the same thing in their current role though. The problem is that they never ask.
Think of your ideals, your talents, where you want to develop and match that with what the company needs. Then plan your growth/timeline and chart out with your manager what skills, training, and experiences will take you there.
There might be a fear that if you don't get what you want, you might be sidelined as the management knows you are not motivated in your current role for long. But if you are doing well in your role, that risk is small. It is unlikely you will be replaced unless you don't have much impact on your job. If that’s your current state, you probably face a bigger problem changing to a new role with less experience and maybe aptitude.
But in the end, if you don’t try, how do you know you won’t get it?
While there are a million reasons to move to a great new role, look at the reasons why you are not moving in your current career and think before you decide.