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Being in a job that you hate or are becoming increasingly bored and dissatisfied with can make you want to take drastic measures- like never showing up for work again or yelling I quit at the top of your lungs and giving the double salute when you leave. However, before quitting your job and blindly leaping into a new job, you should think about the following:
1) What kind of company do I want to work for? Have I done enough research? What is my idea company:
o One that supports work life balance?
o One that promotes personal growth?
o One that promotes from within?
o One that is financially stable
o One that takes risks on promoting great new products?
o One that is environmentally friendly?
All too often we get dissatisfied and make rash decisions about leaving a current job for one that is "better" only to find out that the "better" job is just like the one we just left. We tend to gravitate towards what we know. In order to prevent serial job dissatisfaction with your job track you should ask yourself: Are the workplace values, mission, and company's vision a good fit for me? Finding the answer before leaping, will help prevent the desire to leap again in 6 months when the honeymoon of the new job wears off.
2) Having an idea of what your career goals are or what your desired career path is can be extremely helpful in finding a job that is the right fit. If you don't know what your goals are, or have a path laid out- now is the time to start thinking about it. If you do know what your goals are ask the following questions before making a major change:
o Is the type of work in line with my future career plans, if so-how?
o How will this job help me grow in my career path?
o What new skills can I learn in this job that will help me position myself for my next job?
o What opportunities exist in this field for this position?
You should be able to take a look at the desired job or company and clearly see that it fits into your plan for career success. Can you envision how it fits in with your plans? If not - then it is probably not the right fit for you.
3) If you are in a job that does not require travel it is easy to romanticize or fantasize about how great traveling for work can be. The thing is that travel can be a real hassle and extremely energy draining - not only on you but on family members as well. Some questions to ask about company travel requirements:
o Will I have to travel- if so, how much?
o Will travel be local within the region, or will it be long distance over night travel?
o What are the areas of travel? Are they safe places for me to travel to?
o Do I have the ability to make frequent travel work in my life?
It is important to consider how much travel will affect your relationships outside of work as well as relationships with coworkers who don't travel as much- will they be envious if you get all the good travel assignments? If you are pretty social and meet up with your friends several times a week frequent travel for work may wreak havoc on social plans. If you have young children at home, frequent travel may be difficult on your family members. Thinking about the luxury of sleeping in a hotel room without noisy neighbors, a snoring spouse, and young children waking you up in the middle of the night may seem like a dream. The reality is that it can be pretty lonely and stressful if done for the majority of your work schedule.
4) Will I ever have to relocate if I work for this company? When working for a large company, there is always the risk of downsizing. If the company does downsize it is important to find out what the risks of relocating are. If you work in California and the company wants you to move to NY, you need to think about whether or not that is something that you want and can do. It is most likely not possible to predict from the outset that the company you are interested in working for will downsize, but you can do research to determine where other branches are and whether or not you would be interested in moving to one of those locations given the opportunity. It is something to think about...
5) Pay. What is the salary and benefits package like? What is required to get a raise in the future? What are typical raises like? Along with the pay, what other benefits exist? Are there plenty of free training opportunities? What kind of leave do you get? Some companies will pay their employees for volunteering in the community. In Fairfax County, Virginia for example, employees are given two days of paid leave per year to volunteer in the community. This is an excellent opportunity to get involved in the local community and to also learn about other organizations that you might eventually be interested in working for.
6) Supervision- Will I have to supervise anyone? If so what are the expectations like around supervision? Is it weekly, monthly, as needed? What formal training and programs does the company have around building supervisor competencies? What kind of supervision will I receive? Is the work that I do independent? How much autonomy do I have?
If you don't like to supervise people and the job you're interested in requires you to be in charge of a team of 10, is it a job that you really want or will still like in 6 months? If you like to work independently but are required to report out to the boss at the end of every day then the job probably is not for you no matter what the pay or perks. Not being able to have the independence that you desire is going to be a deal breaker.
7) Work hours. What is the work load like? Is overtime required? If so, how much notice do I get? Am I required to work over time if I don't want to? Can I work over time if someone else doesn't want the assignment? Do I get pay or do I get compensatory time if I work over my regular scheduled hours? Is the work seasonal with more work in one part of the year than another? How is this handled? Are people sent home if there is not enough work to do?
These items all enhance the quality of our life. If you are required to work over time at a minutes notice how will it impact the rest of your life? Will you need to find someone else to pick up your kids? Will you need to set aside other important activities? If there is not enough work to do and you are sent home without pay, the effects can be devastating. It is important to have a read on all of these things before making an impulsive switch.
8) One of the major reasons for job dissatisfaction is feeling like the work you do does not make a difference. If you didn't show up, no one would notice for days or really care. The work is not that important and does not make a difference in the world. Important questions to ask:
o Will I feel empowered by the work I do?
o Will I feel like this work has meaning?
o Will I make a difference in the world by doing this job?
When you feel like the work you do makes a difference- like there is meaning and purpose to it- you will experience greater job satisfaction. The majority of people want to help other people. They get a satisfaction from job well done and happy customers.
Transforming your life begins by setting an intention. What is an intention? Simply put - it is a plan- something you plan to do. Think of it as a purpose, a dream, or a goal. It is what provides direction in your life. Without clear intent, it becomes all too easy to stumble through life without meaning or purpose. We go through the motions of life without connecting to anyone or any purpose. It becomes far too easy to get stuck on the treadmill of life- doing the same boring thing day in and day out until life becomes depressing and unbearable. And all too often find yourself having great difficulty getting out of bed - wanting a new life.
Stating your intentions and acting on them will help you take greater control of your life. It will allow you to focus on what really matters to you. It will allow you to direct your energy towards a positive outcome, instead of focusing on the negative aspects of life that keep you stuck in place going nowhere fast. Acting on the intent also allows you to demonstrate commitment to yourself and to your goals. Stating them and sharing them with others holds you accountable. When you become committed to your intentions and are accountable for them, amazing things can occur. Life becomes filled with great energy and passion as hopes and dreams become reality.
Your intention could be almost anything: to work less and earn more, to get married within a year, to have 12 children, to change careers, to be healthy and in the best physical shape ever. Intentions can be small or large. They can be set daily or weekly. The bottom line- state what you want, share your intentions, and take action.
Your assignment: Think about what matters to you and set your intentions today!
Steps:
1. Get really clear about what you want and write it down.
2. Share your intention with someone who will support you and hold you accountable to take action.
3. Act today. Do something to demonstrate your commitment to your intention.
4. Acknowledge the steps you made and plan for the next steps you need to take.
Lori Bell is founder of Creating Powerful Change, LLC and creator of http://www.help-me-change.com which offers tips, tools, and techniques for implementing successful change in to your life. As your Personal Change Agent, Lori will provide you with an easy to follow step by step process that allows you to tap into your hidden potential, to grow personally and professionally, and to create a life that finally feels right and works great for you! To receive other free articles and the no cost product- "Are You Ready for Success?" visit http://www.help-me-change.com now.
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