Although we are beginning to see some positive signs the economy and the job market are improving, unemployment is still high and it’s essential to never leave a job unless you have another one lined up.
Whether you feel you are being underpaid or find your growth opportunities lacking, communication and research can help change your situation and put yourself in a new one.
I’ve been on both sides of this situation. As an employee, I spent 20 years with Prudential Financial, Inc. and there were many times I wanted to walk out of the office and never return. I needed to communicate with my superiors to change that situation. As a small business owner with employees, I always need to keep their goals and career aspirations in mind. Even with that, over the years I have had employees approach me with their personal issues about not being happy or feeling fulfilled.
Here are some tips to help you plan a job change:
Try Improving Your Current Situation
Communicate with your supervisor and let them know you seek more. Offer specific reasons for your dis-satisfaction and propose solutions. If you seek more money, offer reasons why you deserve it. Before you make the approach, do some research. Find out average salaries for your position in other companies or in other areas of the country. Any data you can present in your favor will help.
Be realistic, if you know the company is having problems, look at other things they could do for you, such as a promotion or vacation time, if they cannot afford to give a salary increase.
Explore Other Options Within Your Company
If you can’t find satisfaction within your existing job or department, the next logical step would be to explore options in other divisions or locations of your current employer. If you work at a large company, they will probably have job postings of available positions, usually made available to current workers before they are advertised to the general public.
Educate Yourself
Earnings are usually tied to education. Look into getting your degree or advanced degrees or certifications. Propose it as part of your negotiation for additional salary or responsibility. Many companies will pay or reimburse you for tuition, if yours does not, suggest it.
Explore Options With Contacts or Customers
In addition to looking elsewhere in your company, in some cases you may be able to discuss the situation with contacts or even customers. If you are an experienced, knowledgeable professional, you may find many offers from people who you currently do business with and are familiar with your strengths. Be discreet and diplomatic about these approaches as it can really cause problems if you have not informed your supervisors of your plans and they hear them from your clients.
Everyone deserves respect at work. We all deserve to be paid fairly, recognized for our achievement and offered room to grow and advance. If you don’t find satisfaction at your job, careful planning and research can help improve your current situation or find a new position that offers a good future.
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