Changing Jobs

Some people seem to change jobs as frequently as they buy a new pair of shoes, but for most of us changing employers can be both exciting and stressful at the same time.

The bottom line is that changing jobs is one of the bigger decisions we have to make in our lives: not quite as important as getting married or buying a house, but still a big decision.

That being said, most of us go about the process in a fairly slap-dash way. We have half a mind to move on, we see an advert or an agency tells us about a vacancy; we go along to the interview; an offer is made and accepted; we tell the boss we’re leaving and suddenly it is our first day with a new employer.

Whether or not we have made the right decision in such circumstances is often more a matter of luck than judgement.

So what can we do to increase the chances of moving to a better job with a better employer?

The starting point is to make sure that you are moving for the right reasons. There is a real temptation when you hate your current job or you dislike your boss to accept the first job offer that comes along, not because you really want the new job but because you desperately want to leave. Don’t do this – remember the old adage ‘act in haste, repent at leisure’.

If you are sure that the reasons you dislike your current job cannot be resolved or you have other solid reasons for wanting a change, make sure that you adopt a professional approach to finding a new employer. Too many moves on your CV will put off really good employers.

An extremely important part of the process is the interview or interviews. Far too many job applicants think that this is a one-way process: they think they have to impress the interviewers who have the power to make a job offer or not. Remember it is a two-way process, the interviewers also have to satisfy you that their organisation is one that you want to work for and that the job on offer is one you actually want to do.

Carry out a bit of research into the company; the internet is often a good starting point. Not only will this impress the interviewers but it will also give you some of the knowledge you need to make the right decision.

It is relatively easy to prepare your “standard” answers in advance: questions like “why do you want to move jobs” and “what can you offer the company” often come up in interviews. However, it is just as important to prepare some questions to ask the people who interview you.

Some of the more unusual questions you might ask an interviewer are; “what is your staff turnover level?” A high level is often an indication of an unhappy workforce. “How would you describe the culture of the company?” You probably want to join an organisation that has the same or similar view to life as you have. “What is the company’s five year plan?” A company that is not planning ahead is probably going backwards. “Has the company made people redundant in the last two years?” There may be perfectly legitimate reasons for a company shedding staff but do you want to join a company that is not financially sound?

These sort of questions are relevant no matter what job you are applying for. Job security and satisfaction are important to everyone, irrespective of the position.

It is also worth remembering that the more professional the recruitment process, the more likely it is that you would be joining a professional organisation.

Other basic interview tips are; do not spend time being critical of your current or old employer. Organisations will be nervous about employing someone who gives off a negative outlook – you might be saying the same things about them in six months time! Explain why you want to work for the potential employer and briefly state why you want a move.

Finally, it may sound obvious, but make sure you turn up for the interview on time and smartly dressed. It really is true that first impressions count.

Published 27/04/2006.