Knowing When The Time Is Right For A Change

If you want to be successful in any walk of life then you have to be prepared to work hard – nothing worth achieving is going to come easily.

But along with hard work and perseverance, another key ingredient for success is adaptability and a willingness to deal to with changing circumstances. This is something entrepreneurs always have to do, but it just as easily applies to employees looking to boost their career.

As a general rule you should be moving onto a new challenge every few years, either in the form of a promotion, or if necessary, a new company.There is nothing wrong with loyalty to a company of course; in fact it is something I actively encourage. At the same time though, individuals need to progress on a regular basis and if this is not happening with their current employer they may have no choice but to leave.

Sometimes you get situations where a new hire may have come into your business or department and taken on a large part of your responsibility. This can lead to individuals feeling devalued or simply that there is less need for them. I would never recommend making a decision on this without talking to your manager - an open and frank conversation about how he or she views your role in the company should always take place. The chances are that after this you will have a much better idea about whether you should stay or move on.

The main advantage with change is the rewards that come with it. Generally speaking a new role or position is going to come with an improvement in terms of financial rewards and professional status. If you want to develop as an individual then I would also look for jobs where there are new skills you can pick up along the way.

Remember that there is no point in going for a new role simply for the sake of it. Prospective employers are not looking for someone who will merely go through the motions and they will quickly spot a lack of passion in a candidate. To make a success of something you have to be completely committed to it.

Any move also has to make sense from a personal point of view as well. The needs of your family, as well as things like location and commute all play a key role in the decision making process.

There are also people who look to change careers and move into something completely different. This can be quite daunting but if you have made up your mind that your passion lies elsewhere then it is best to take this route. Some can be riskier than others - you may be leaving employment for good in order to start your own business for example - but if you have thought carefully about this and have a real desire to be your own boss then I would recommend grabbing any opportunities with both hands.

The longer you have been with a company the more difficult you may find it to walk away. However change is often a key element of progression; it is just a question of timing it right.

For more tips and advice to boost your career, check out my book Get The Job You Really Want