Mar 29 2019
Basis Technologies

4 Tips to Consider Before Switching Companies

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During the employee lifecycle there comes a point where it’s time to move on—whether that’s to a new challenge within your current role, a new role within (or out of) your current company, or a totally new career change—is completely up to you. Too often, those discovery conversations are external interviews, versus networking within a current company. How great would it be if you could take a leap or make a career change, without the added risk of starting with a new team or company that doesn’t know your added value?

When employees focus on self-improvement, companies succeed. Review a few tips to consider before changing companies, below.

  1. Reflect on your current state

Chances are, you will not enjoy 100% of what you do every day. It’s always going to be a give and take.  However, there are important considerations to assess—are you learning? Do you enjoy the people you work with? We have found that many of the employees who leave Centro have an average tenure of 1.5 years at their next job, with many returning as “boomerang” employees after reflecting on the above questions. Before making moves to see if the ‘grass is greener’ elsewhere, explore your options within your current company first! Making a move within can sometimes be a step in the right direction towards long-term career goals, even if it’s a lateral move instead of a promotion.

 

  1. NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK

We don’t know what we don’t know. Not sure what that next move looks like? If you’re unsure of a particular role and are thinking of switching careers, consider reaching out to other colleagues or team members who have done it, or are doing it currently. Search your company intranet or directory—look for titles that pique your interest and reach out to those people; set-up a time to connect via phone or over coffee. Ask them about their position and what it entails; what do they enjoy or find challenging? Discuss the day-to-day, so you can determine if it may be a fit for you.

  1. Never stop learning.

Every role requires some kind of subject matter expertise. Find a subject you enjoy that pertains to the role and learn more about it! For example, if you decide you’re interested in HR—take an online course about employment law, read articles about employee engagement and retention, or attend an event that caters to that specific industry. Ask questions, learn from peers, and reflect on your new skillset. Did you find the subject matter engaging? Or did it make you want to take a snooze? Pay attention to those insights, as they could potentially lead you to something great.

  1. Raise your hand.

Once you have reflected, networked and done your research—make a mental commitment. If you decide a career change is what you need, then raise your hand; talk to your manager or executive leadership to express your interest in another opportunity at the company. Stay engaged in your current role to ensure consistent performance, and work with leadership to see what options may (or may not) be available at your current company—make an informed decision.

If you’ve determined that you’d like to stay on your current career path but are feeling unfulfilled in your current role, identify what it is that is making you feel disengaged. Are you not learning at the speed you were hoping? Is your manager not accessible? Take change into your own hands—seek out the challenging work and collaborate with those that bring you positive energy. Talk to your manager to see how they can better support you in this journey.

There may come a time where you and your manager decide that your current company may not be able to bring you what you’re looking for. In this case, you can feel secure and confident in knowing you’ve assessed all options to determine the best path forward and move into the next endeavor with a clear mind and fresh slate.