Comments on: Twenty Something Advice: Is it time for a job change?

By: 9 things, you can do, to make any company WANT you - GenPink

9 things, you can do, to make any company WANT you - GenPink — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 05:29:45 +0000

[...] Andrea’s post How to land THE Job of your Dreams is a great follow up to yesterday’s Twenty Something Advice: Is it time for a job change?. [...]

By: Therapeutic Ramblings

Therapeutic Ramblings — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 15:46:13 +0000

I was in almost the exact position 6 years ago (god I sound old ). I was chasing the all-mighty IPO and planning on retiring by 30. I stuck around way too long and I got more and more frustrated before I left. It took me one more move to finally get where I was suppose to be, and I’m never looking back. Trust your gut because sometimes your mind will try and rationalize everything else.

By: siew kam onn

siew kam onn — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 02:17:43 +0000

The online decision maker and this How to Become a Creative Genius article at lifehack.org might give you some ideas for better decision making.

By: Jess

Jess — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 15:45:32 +0000

I agree that it’s important to trust your instinct. And the nice thing about having a job you’re not sure about staying in is that you can check out your other options without costing yourself anything. Your friend can stay in the job, and meanwhile apply for some other stuff, go on some interviews, and see if there’s something out there that appeals more. That way your friend still has job security and an income and is also being exposed to things that might help them get a better idea of what they want out of a job, whether it’s the current one or a new one.

By: rachel

rachel — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 02:44:38 +0000

As I also mentioned to this person in response, I think it is important to keep your options open and continue to actively look for other/better employment in the meantime. This way you don’t loose your security for the time being.

I also like Elysa’s idea of having a date to re-evaluate. It is important, if you are very unhappy, to do what your heart is telling you. For me, I also bathe these matters in prayer and council from those around me I trust.

By: Brie

Brie — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 02:43:52 +0000

I worked for a company that I felt changed a lot and I no longer agreed with the philosophy and ethics of the company.
But I also had a relationship with my coworkers and my patients. When I decided to leave, it was very hard, but I interviewed for other positions and when I found the right one, I gave plenty of notice to my employer, coworkers and patients. It was the right decision for me.
Keep your eyes and ears open for other positions and wait for the right one.

By: courtney

courtney — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 23:17:41 +0000

When my family moved a few years ago, my mother had to take the first decent job she could find. She had applied for a few jobs like the one she’d left behind, but they weren’t working out for her. She ended up in a business where she was busy, enjoyed the people she worked with, liked her boss, received a good paycheck and great benefits, but didn’t enjoy the actual work she was doing. Still, my parents had bought a house, a new car (better gas mileage for my dad’s long drive to work every day) were still helping me through college, and had my brother and his future to think of as well, so she needed the job. She stayed there nearly three years, just keeping her eyes open for other opportunities, but never really planning on leaving. She didn’t quit that job until she had been hired elsewhere, and just made sure her new employer understood that she would need to give sufficient notice to her current employer and finish up any important duties before beginning the new job. It ended up working out perfectly, and she’s really happy doing what she enjoys doing now.

So, from watching that happen pretty much first hand, my advice is this: Keep your job. Actively look for others, or don’t, but definitely keep your eyes and ears open for other opportunities that may be interesting. If you find something that you honestly feel will be a better fit for you, go for it. But if you’re not sure if the change would be right, chances are it might not be. If the creative part is the biggest issue and you have some extra time, maybe consider free-lance work, or maybe consider opening a small online business, where you have endless possibilities.

By: Jill B

Jill B — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:59:37 +0000

As someone who has made a variety of decisions in the last year (including switching jobs) I think it would be good to have one conversation with one person as you list and ponder the specifics – to offer a slightly not-your perspective. Someone you trust, probably not someone who already holds a strong position on the matter or would be directly affected by it (ie. if your boyfriend were financially dependent on you, or if someone’s job would be affected by your decision to stay or leave). It helps to think of things you might have not realized, especially if they’ve seen you in your current position, or knew you back when you were idealistic about what you wanted to ‘do/be when you grew up’. *The more people/conversations you have, the more it is likely to drive you crazy.

And definitely on the “gut” thing.

By: ana

ana — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:27:36 +0000

I was in a similar rut some time back. I was working as a fashion designer in a big design house, and even though there was space for my creativity, the design breifs were so tightly bound and constricting, I always felt I had to keep my imagination on a tight leash – which was frustrating. Then, after a little consideration, I quit. And that was the best decision I have ever made for myself.

It is important to be happy and satisfied with the job you do, because if you are not, the pent up frustration is going to affect other aspects of your life as well. And besides, you owe it to yourself. Why settle down for something?

Because the most important things you live to regret are the risks you didn’t take.