...or a place you do not. Several years ago I was given some great advice from a mentor in regards to professional development. There are a lot of people who love the place they work, and could never envision leaving the department, unit or even the company/corporation they work for. Either they love the people, their co-workers, the environment or the location. It could be that the employee is scared and have become too comfortable with their position or company, that they do not want to risk taking a position elsewhere and not be happy.
The advice given to me is that sometimes people MUST leave a job in order to grow, learn new skills, or gain career promotion. For those who are happy in what they do, and do not seek any additional responsibilities or career advancement, they can stay in one position or company their entire career, and maintain their happiness. However, if you are looking for something greater than your current position, you have to look at all of the issues. Will there be openings for advancement? Will the company look within? Is the company providing you with opportunities, both in training and in responsibilities for advancement? Do you want to stay with one company for the long haul?
Another item to consider is length of time. How long have you given to this company? I read an article recently where a young adult, late twenties and only four years out of graduate school, was upset and leaving a company because they had not "met his demands" of moving up the corporate ladder by the age of thirty. The younger generations have a sense of entitlement (not all younger people, but it is a perception) that needs to be kept in check. Younger professionals need to remember that there are many older people in the career world with just as much, or more experience, who are looking at moving up the same ladder. As they move up, younger people will move up as well into those spaces just vacated. And the elder generation needs to be able to identify younger staff to move into those positions.
Which brings me back to the issue at hand: leaving a comfortable work environment you may or may not love. In the past two weeks I was offered a new job, and ended up declining. My official title would have been Director of Information Systems, a giant step up from my current official title as Technology Coordinator. As great as the title is, the job description was not indicative of the words. This Director would have been a glorified desktop technician and web designer, serving a much smaller group of people than I currently serve. However this would have been a career advancement, one which is not possible at my current position or location. Having been passed over twice in the last six months for positions within, this would have been my chance to move up in my career. While the salary increase would have been greatly appreciated, it came down to what I am doing now and what I would be doing there. Regardless of the working title of the position, I have a much greater effect on IT now, than I would have in that high position.
But I am still looking for a good opportunity, whether that comes from within, or if I have to leave the comfort of my current position. Sometimes you have to leave in order to learn new skills and gain new experiences. If you have a good employer, they will always welcome you back.
Tip #002: Always read the job description: The title of a job will not tell you what you will be doing. Read the fine print of what the responsibilities will be, and what will be expected of you. Titles are nothing more than generic descriptors. As a 'Technology Coordinator,' I was once denied an interview because I was not a 'Manager,' however once I explained my responsibilities, HR decided I indeed fit the requirements. Be sure you understand what the job is, and not get excited by the title of the position.
- Tom.
