Michele Harmon
Looking for a new job?
Did you know the best time to find a new job is between January and May? Think about it—the summer months are when people are on vacation, and in the fall, employers are more likely to be looking for holiday help, which is less permanent.
Changing jobs is a big decision because it addresses your current and future income, along with your professional wellbeing. Think about it—you spend a minimum of 8-10 of your waking hours working. Do the math. There is not much time left for family after a few hours of sleep.
Ask yourself: are you happy to go to work? Do you wake up excited to tackle the day? If you don’t, more often than not, then it is time to start looking around. However, I would caution you to ask yourself one very important question. Is the grass always greener on the other side or is it better to stay and water the grass you have now?
Identify specifically why you might want to look for a new job. Is it just about more money? Are you miserable where you are now? Do you hate your boss? The list goes on and on. Sit down and write a list of why you want a new job and write another list that summarizes your current compensation. Remember, compensation is salary, health insurance, supplemental insurance, 401K plans, time off, etc. Lastly, talk to your family.
Further, if you belong in a structured, more corporate environment, then you are not going to be happy in one that is not. If you are used to having the freedom to do your own thing, then the corporate world is not for you. Remember, money will not make you happy. It only softens the blow of being miserable in the wrong job.
Will the new job be a good fit for you? Investigate the new opportunity. What is their vision and mission? Ask to see their five-year strategic plan. If they can’t share it, it is likely they do not have one.
Ask what their turnover rate is and what is the common reason why people leave. If they can’t tell you, then they don’t track it and/or don’t care about it because their philosophy may be that there is always someone else to replace those who leave.
How often have they given bonuses in the past year and what were the bonus payout totals as a percentage of salaries, sales, etc.? Preview the job by reviewing the job description and asking the hiring manager if the description describes the essential functions of the job.
What is the company culture? I want to scream this from the rooftop because this is such a common thing for applicants to ignore. Ask yourself, are you going to fit? If you can have the luxury of a short consulting gig with a potential new employer, then do it. If it is not right for you, you will know quickly.
What are the company’s strengths and what should they improve on? Does the company make promises to employees that they do not keep? If they do follow through most of the time with what they tell employees, then you have a pretty good shot that the job change will be in your best interests.
Here are four real-life examples of job seekers that asked for my counsel in the past few economic downturns. They were job-hunting for various reasons. Those reasons included being fearful regarding the stability of their then-current jobs. Or in another case, the person had been recently laid off. Sound familiar?
For the sake of less confusion let’s call them Luis, John, Ann, and Holly. Luis changed because he was afraid his current employer might cut his position. John switched because his current company had failed to increase his compensation. Ann had been laid off and needed a job to pay her bills that fit her qualifications. Holly didn’t change jobs but was looking because she perceived she was being left out of management meetings that, previously, she had been included in.
Luis feared for the future. Since Luis was driven by fear, he jumped and took the new job. Almost immediately he realized it was not a good fit. Before leaving where you work, discuss your concerns with your current boss and there is a pretty good chance he or she will be honest with you. When you look people in their eyes, they will more than likely tell you the truth.
John let his ego get the best of him. He was angry that no matter how hard he worked or how much money he made for the company, they did not give him a raise. John took a new job and quickly found out that he had not done the math ahead of time on the full compensation and benefits package. I counsel people all the time to do the math before you leave your current employer.
My third example, Ann, was laid off after many years with her previous employer. When you are unemployed, try to be careful finding a new job. If the first job that comes along is not the right fit, then you will be looking again sooner than later.
My last example, Holly, was someone who decided to stay at her current employer. She faced her fears and asked herself if she was about to be laid off because she felt excluded. Her boss was honest with her and told her all was well and her concerns were unwarranted. However, there is a “rest of her story.” She contacted me again on an ethical issue with a situation at work that was not resolved in alignment with her own professional ethics.
I don’t tell people what to do in my consulting. I lend an ear and offer suggestions.
If you are determined to find a new job, take as much emotion as you can out of your search and final decision. Be objective—and be selective.
Lastly, pay attention to your intuition. Do not ignore the warning signs where you are now and where you might be going.
My recommendation for this month is to go to the Permian Basin Society of Human Resources website and register your HR leader for the West Texas HR Symposium. It is May 7 & 8, 2020, in Lubbock. The cost is far less than the cost of the Texas or National Conference. Your employee will make amazing connections with other HR professionals in the area and gain a wealth of knowledge. Website: www.pbshrm.org.
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“Your employees are the heart of your organization.” Dr. Michele Harmon is a Human Resource professional, supporting clients in Texas and New Mexico that range in size from five to more than 3,000 employees. Email: micheleharmon1@gmail.com