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The Right Time To Make Your Next Career Move
You’re an accountant or professional. Your career is moving along. You’re getting some good experience.
At the same time you worry about becoming too comfortable.
I’m sometimes asked about how often people should change jobs.
In truth there is no definitive answer to that question in my view.
It’s a very personal decision.
What I will say is that there are some clues that might indicate the time is right to make your next career move.
Clue 1: The job is becoming routine
Now if you thrive on routine this is not an issue.
If you are more the type of person who thrives on challenge, improvement and making things better, then just focusing on routine is not likely to motivate you.
Clue 2: The job is too easy
If you are turning up and doing the job on auto pilot then perhaps the role is too easy.
Now I know we all wish for days when things are less frantic.
At the same time things can become pretty dull if every day is like this.
Clue 3: There is no scope for progression
Picture the scene.
You just had a review with your manager. In that meeting you spoke about your career aspirations. The response you got made it clear to you that there was little or no scope for progression.
Clue 4: You are bored
You spend so much of your time at work. Do you really want to spend it being bored?
Clue 5: You want to broaden your experience
If you work in a bigger organisation this is something you might be able to address with a secondment or move to somewhere else in the business.
If not it might require a move to a new organisation.
Clue 6: You know you are ready
Knowing you are ready and having the confidence to go for it are two very different things.
I’m amazed just how often people self de-select themselves from applying for a role because they are not able to meet every requirement 100%.
Clue 7: You are being paid way below the market rate
At some stages in your career you know this and consciously choose to stay in the role because it’s right for you at the time.
What you don’t want is a situation where you are accepting way below the market rate when you know you could move to an organisation where your contribution is appropriately rewarded.
In truth you get so long to achieve what you want in your career, so make sure you utilise that time in a way that works for you.
About the Author Duncan Brodie
Since 2006 I’ve worked with in excess of 8,000 accountants and professionals in workshops, seminars and one to one helping them land their next jobs and become better leaders, presenters and business partners. Before that I spent 25 years in accountancy climbing the career ladder from Payments Clerk to FD. I’m a CIMA Fellow, Certified Professional Coach and Team Coach Facilitator.