The new year is often a time of reflection, and with the last couple of years being what they were – and hopefully returning to something more normal – many people are considering changing jobs or even careers.
It’s a great time to make a move, says David Walsh, director of commercial development at Osborne. “The market is buoyant at the moment and there are a significant amount of opportunities out there.” However, he would counsel candidates to “take their time to think about what the real motivators for looking for a new role are”.
“Make sure you are looking to move for the correct reasons, and then start looking at what you would like to see in a new company, from the role itself, to progression opportunities within, to the culture and values of the new company.”
Marie McManamon, careers consultant with Clearcut Careers and Consulting agrees, saying that while the new year may be a great time to change jobs, changing careers is a longer process that needs lots of consideration.
“A few things to consider include how long you’re in the current role, what would the impact of a change be on your work-life balance – for example, some people are now driving to work instead of taking public transport due to health concerns so traffic is worse, which would have a negative impact.”
Regardless of whether you’re planning a job or career change, there are lots of ways to plan, prepare and execute the search. Walsh says, “At the outset make a list of what you are looking for in a new role or company, what are the deal-breakers and what would you need to leave your current role and then commit to the process.
“Start working on your CV using clear, concise language articulating what you do and what your key achievements are.” CVs are now often screened by artificial intelligence programs or junior recruiters, so it’s important to make sure “your CV has keywords pertaining to your career so that it’s very clear what you do now and what you’re looking for”. Set up Google job alerts and job board alerts of companies you would like to work for, or job titles you feel are a great match for you.
McManamon suggests doing due diligence on the prospective company, researching it thoroughly, looking at Glassdoor and reading reviews, seeing if any of your contacts work or have worked in the company, doing informational interviews, and doing everything possible to get a real sense of the company and the role.
For a career change, McManamon recommends taking time and assessing your interests, skills and values, and evaluating all alternatives to discover what new career might suit you.
Compare your current skills and background with the new requirements of the new career – there may be a skills gap you need to address. “If you need a qualification, how do you go about getting that?” she asks.
Walsh says that “one of the most important things our clients are looking for in senior positions is the candidate’s learning quotient – those that are constantly learning and are curious in their careers are highly sought after.”
Existing organisation
McManamon also suggests seeing if it’s possible to change careers within your existing organisation. “Is the culture such that I can voice that with HR or the learning department – maybe my culture will support that change?” Walsh agrees: “If you would like to stay where you are but would like a raise, have that conversation with your manager before entering a process with other employers.”
Some mistakes that recruiters see from candidates include entering the process for the wrong reason and trying to play multiple offers off each other. Walsh says: “Some candidates are being seduced by the company and not the role, so make sure that the role is for you before you commit. While the organisation might be one of your dream companies, if the role is not right for you, you need to be honest with yourself.”
Managing the transition is key too. “We would always remind candidates not to burn bridges,” says Walsh. “It reflects positively for a prospective employer when candidates are respectful of their commitments to their current employer and continue to contribute throughout any notice period.”
For those intent on a change, Walsh says, “It is a great time in the global recruitment market at the moment and there is an abundance of opportunity.”