Posted March 13 2023
By Paul Steven
If you are performing well in your current role, if you like your team, if things are relatively plain sailing … is that really the best time to look for a new job? Many of the individuals that we work with are aware that the market is buoyant – now is an excellent time to move. There are better terms and conditions, lucrative benefits and more career development opportunities.
So, if you’re thinking about weighing up your options, what are the dangers of staying in a role you are very comfortable with versus the risk of moving to pastures new?
Benefits of Changing Jobs
The work itself
It can be easy for work to become routine, or lacking challenge, if you have been in your current role for a long period of time. Perhaps you’ve fallen out of love with your chosen profession because the day to day feels so repetitive. In joining a new company, you may find yourself taking on different tasks or, indeed, an entirely different workload. This can “reignite the spark” and encourage both productivity and positivity. Read job adverts thoroughly and ask questions at interview to fully understand what daily responsibilities look like.
Better overall package
We are living in challenging financial times. Making a move right now may well lead you to a better overall salary or benefits. Perhaps your current role doesn’t offer flexible working, up to date tech or even good parental leave policies. If you’re thinking of changing jobs, these are the things you can look for in a new role. Of course, most career moves come with a slight salary inflation, too, or the opportunity for an annual bonus. Don’t be shy about negotiating for a package that works for you.
New opportunities or promotion
If you’ve been in the same role for a long time, you may well feel like the options for moving up the career ladder are limited. A career move doesn’t have to be like for like. You could push yourself to the next level of your career, whether it’s a managerial role or pushing for the C-suite. A good recruiter will advise you where to pitch yourself in terms or the roles that would be a good fit for you.
Benefits of Staying in Your Current Role
Probationary period
Almost every new job comes with a probationary period that lasts several months. If your new employer is not impressed with you, you may find yourself in a longer probationary period or, in the worst case, out of work. During your probationary period, you may also not qualify to receive some of the lucrative benefits you signed up for.
Adapting to a new team
Everyone has their own, preferred way of doing things. If you acquire a new team, you may spend a lot of your initial time in your new role figuring out how individuals like to be managed. This can, in some cases, prove vastly different to what you were used to. You don’t want to rock the boat, necessarily, whilst still establishing yourself in your new position.
Not being a culture fit
Despite your best efforts at interview to do your research into the company culture, there’s no real way of telling what it’s like to work somewhere until you’re actually doing the job. Whatever the reasons might be, you might just realise that you’re not a culture fit for your new employer.
I headhunt senior lawyers for private practice firms across the Scottish market. For a confidential discussion regarding executive search requirements, get in touch on 07476 268984 or email psteven@hrcrecruitment.co.uk