when you're thinking about a new job

The last time I was in the job market, I had been with my company for just over 5 years. There had been a change in ownership about a year prior, and with it, some of the processes had changed. While the process change hadn't bothered me much (once I got used to it), the management change (particularly the change in management style) really bugged me. First, I was definitely at a point where I was burned out, and being the only recruiter for the shop, there was a lot of pressure to perform. Especially since I was supporting 3 sales folks on my own. I asked for help, but my requests were downplayed with suggestions that there wasn't enough work to justify the cost of another recruiter. Said the person who had never recruited and really had no idea what was on my plate. I didn't have a team. And beyond some new positions on occasion, I was doing the same thing day after day, and I wasn't challenged by my job. I was stressed out by my job, but not challenged. The environment changed from a place where I had a voice and felt like I was making an impact to somewhere where my opinion didn't matter and I wasn't being listened to. And when I seriously think about it, if my manager had really listened to me and got me the help I needed, there's a fair chance I'd still be there.

All of those reasons added up to why I was open to exploring new positions with different firms. And gave me a good idea as to what was really important to me for my next job. I needed a team, but I also needed to feel like I had ownership of what I was working on - which meant I could control and influence parts of the business, but have people to support me when I needed some ideas, to help when I was overwhelmed, or could take over when I needed a vacation. I needed a supervisor who would trust my judgement, and who I thought was actually listening to my ideas. I needed a challenge in my daily work. Knowing that I'd need all of this to feel motivated, energized, and ultimately happy in my job, it actually made it a lot easier to pinpoint the positions that I would apply for, or the people I'd respond to when they reached out to me.


If you're thinking about making a job shift, really start to think about why you're making that shift.
- Are the issues you're encountering today impacting your long-term happiness and job satisfaction, or are they just an inconvenience for today? (As a hiring manager told me yesterday, not every day is rainbows and unicorns.)
- Has something changed that has affected your morale, your motivation, or even your performance? Do you love where you work enough to fix it, or is it really time for a change of scenery?
- What's missing that you've had before and would like again? Or what haven't you done but you'd like to be able to do? Can you get that from your current employer? Have you asked for the responsibility?
- What's going to make it really easy for you to say yes to someone if they offer you a new job? (And it can't be all about the money. Well, it can be, but salaries will always be subject to the market and the supply/demand of your skills. Folks who are really happy with their jobs rarely tell you it has to do with the money.)

I have two questions that I ask every single candidate I interview:
1. Why are you looking for a new position?
2. What do you want from your next position?

If you've actually thought about your career, you should be able to answer these without hesitating. Realize, as well, that you should be able to tell me why you think my company, and the job we're discussing in particular, align with what you're seeking. I won't hire you if you're seeing this role as a stepping stone, or if you flat out tell me that you'd rather be doing something else. Apply for the roles that make sense for you in your career, and ultimately, I think you'll find an easy, happy match in a new company.