Now that the holidays are over, you may be refocused on other aspects of your life. Maybe you’re thinking about your current job. Is it still a good fit for you and your desired career path? Is now the time to stick it out or find a new one? Here are some pros and cons you can weigh to decide the next step for your continued professional growth.
Can You Customize Your Current Job?
Before you decide to quit, take an inventory of your current job. What do you like about it? Is there any way you can adjust the position itself to focus much more on the things you enjoy rather than the things that give you stress or anxiety? Try to incorporate more of the things you love to customize your job to your interests.
How Strong is Your Current Network?
Next, assess your current network. This includes the people you work with right now who may become your references for your job search. What would they say about you? Are they loyal to you, or do you feel expendable? What about your extended network? Do you know other professionals who might be able to connect you with new opportunities?
Do You Still Connect with the Core Values?
With your current company, do their values and mission statement still resonate with you like they did when you started? Do you believe in what the company does and, more importantly, how they do it? If you no longer feel like you and the core values are compatible, you may want to find an environment that works better for you.
Are you Too Comfortable?
Sometimes, we tend to follow the path of least resistance. Your current job may not challenge you, but you feel comfortable and not motivated to move. While this might feel like a check in the column for keeping your current situation, it may not serve you in the future. Are there better places that will be more in line with your career goals?
Do you Have Access to Continued Learning?
Do you value learning more in the future? Do you want to improve your skills or learn something new altogether? Does your current job offer access to continuing education? If not, you may want to consider moving to a place that also values career development. Companies should want to invest in you as an asset, and that includes continued learning.
What Are Your Priorities for the Future?
Finally, assess what it is you want out of your career. Are you where you thought you would be 5 or 10 years ago? If not, what changed? How would your job be better if you were to move to another opportunity? If your job isn’t in line with what you hope the future can hold, it is probably time to regroup and consider your options.
Do you think you should start looking for a new job in the new year? Contact Harvard Resource Solutions today.
