January 2, 2016

2016! Is It Time To Change Jobs?

Could it also be time to change companies and / or industries? First of all, what is your reasoning for such thinking?

Items To Consider:

​JOB – I’ve been doing this job for years (relative term) and need new challenges, an elevated job title, and (hopefully) greater compensation.
 
COMPANIES – My current company is struggling financially whereas others within the same, or similar industries are not. I like my job, but not my employer because of management style, culture, commute, etc. Be very certain of your research here when exploring competitor companies!
 
INDUSTRIES – This is a great company, but the industry is struggling because of….and those in-the-know and everything that I read leads me to believe that this industry will be depressed for two to three years, or more, and my salary has already been reduced, bonuses cancelled, no further employer 401(k) match, many have been furloughed, or released with (probably) more to come, etc.
 
Do you believe that any of the above will change with the next election? Do you believe that any newly, elected official will actually change anything critical (positively, or negatively) to your industry? If “yes,” then perhaps you should remain where you are.
 
Only you know what you’re feeling and what you believe is truthful. Can you continue what you’re doing professionally and where you do it? It is a not-so-simple, “Yes, or No.” This decision will be the most difficult! Even those that are currently unemployed, or underemployed must go through the same thinking process.
 
Reading business magazines, the newspaper’s business section, and social media (?) may lead you towards industries that are growing without the looming threat of replacement by computers, or a Call Center. Now, what skills and achievements do you have that are portable and probably valued within that/those chosen industry (ies)? If none, then that choice will be very difficult without a “champion” that will introduce and recommend you to a hiring authority. If you do have some, then you are marketable to the degree that you have those achievements, successes, and expertise.

Now...MAKE A DECISION!

​...whatever it may be; it is not etched in granite. Very few Americans stay with the same company, or industry for a lifetime, but at the moment, based upon your research, trusted and knowledgeable people, social media, et al, you move forward.
 
Uh, “forward?” YES!
 
A professionally written resume and cover letter (email format) that is a marketing masterpiece and truthful, but not to a fault.
 
Forget job postings and find your future boss, or boss’s boss by using his/her job title in the “Advanced” area (up top) on LinkedIn, choose industry, and location and, bingo, you have hundreds, if not more.
 
Email five DMs (hiring decision-makers) weekly and if no reply, a weekly follow-up for two weeks forwarding the previous email(s). If no response after three emails, go to the next highest level.
 
You will gain more interviews from the follow-up (with the original email and your new resume attached) than you will from the original email!
 
Interviewing. Once you get the interview, nothing else matters. The resume, LinkedIn, networking, and posting your resume on job sites was all about marketing. Now, the interview is everything!
 
A great resume, marketed well, will gain interviews. A great interview will gain a job offer. Great research through Payscale.com andSalary.com will tell you if this is a fair offer. I would highly suggest conducting this quick research prior to any interview so that you can respond to the salary question and you’ve already decided that the compensation not only satisfies you, but is within the range for that job title, that industry, and within that zip code. Most everyone shivers when asked the “salary question.”
 
Trained, experienced, professional assistance is out there. This will generally expedite your professional success and provide a quick return-on-investment. You know that you have to do something differently since the “old ways” are not working like they did in the past.
 
Happy and Prosperous 2016!

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