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Sunday, 7 December 2014

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Marketing yourself for jobs

In the good old days, most professionals in Sri Lanka were quite happy to join an organisation and work till retirement. Changing work places was perceived to be a bad thing. The environment is completely different today and the frequency and percentage of employees changing jobs has dramatically changed and the factors are many.

Expansion of the job market, the variety of work disciplines available, easy accessibility to professional education, rate of increase in job value for skilled and competent employees and a sense of competition in the minds of new employees top the long list of reasons.

New employees who are still gaining work experience, often have to work in a job they don't like. Even if the job is exactly what you are looking for, the company may not be or vice versa.

There may be negative developments in a job you had for a long time causing you to contemplate quitting.

These situations are hard to get away from, but you must take bold steps if you are unhappy in your present job. After all, in this competitive job market environment, your demand is not indefinite. So the move to make the best when you have demand is fully justified.

There are positive and negative effects of changing jobs. The key is making sure a career change is the best option at the time and that it offers clear incremental benefits. The best way to determine this is by doing an audit on the present job and exploring new opportunities and creating a list of all positives and negatives associated with taking up the new job.

Reason

The first question to ask is, am I happy with the job I have?

If the company pays you well, you have to do satisfying work, have the opportunity to learn, leaders are fair and career development opportunities are bright and the future of the company business is good, then, there is no rational reason to change the job.

If the primary aspects are not in place, begin the process of looking for another job.

Even if all the aspects are good, examine the long-term viability of the company you are working for. If you feel the company hasn't got the right strategy and leadership vision to grow or sustain performance then look for a new job.

One advantage of changing jobs is finding one you like. Many people have to settle for jobs that are not exactly what they want. Young graduates and school-leavers often have to take the first job available and not be a burden to their parents.

They may find then find new jobs in their preferred fields as the opportunities emerge.

You are more likely to enjoy your job if it's something that interests you. You may also perform that particular job more effectively.

Another positive effect of a job change is advancement. You may be stuck in a job with few advancement opportunities. Your boss may have been in his position for 20 years.

There may be no other opportunities in your company but lateral moves. Whatever the case, you may take the next step up in your career by taking a job with another company. These advancements should essentially be promotions.

People who change jobs too often may be viewed as job-hoppers and may be viewed as a major negative by potential employers.

No company would like to recruit and train people and see them leaving after a couple of years. Such people are perceived to be employees with lower level of loyalty and accountability.

Lost benefits

While there are many advantages in changing jobs, you may lose certain benefits too by switching jobs.

Companies prefer to promote within whenever they find suitable internal candidates considering the relevant experience, minimum interruption to business operation, cost benefits and motivation to the larger team.

For a budding leader to make an impression and convince the leaders, it takes years.

Leaving the organisation after doing all that when you are on the threshold of a promotion can be too costly. Making the right choice is hard, yet it can be beneficial.

 

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