There are many reasons people consider new job opportunities. Based on their urgency to consider a change, people are classified as either active or passive job seekers. Active job seekers are likely in real need of a job right now. Passive job seekers are likely to entertain options that may be better than their current situation, but they aren’t actively applying for jobs.
No matter your current or unforeseen situation, the best stance regarding your career is to be ready for anything. Like any good business, you should know who you are, what you do well, and how the market values you starting with your current situation, job, or company.
In essence, you should own your career and treat your career as the business of your life. Always be prepared for change by controlling the controllable and planning for the uncontrollable. Never lose confidence or feel at risk because you have an excellent evolving plan with market insights, goals, and actions to develop to meet future market opportunities continuously, no matter the company.
You should maximize your unique skills and competencies while being free to pursue your purpose. The pressure caused by others when you’ve relinquished proactive ownership of your career is very stressful and, unfortunately, all too common. No company can guarantee you anything. You must be continuously prepared for change and work to constantly align your goals with your employer through in-depth and honest discussions about your plans.
First, you should always explore new jobs or career opportunities inside your current company. This curiosity and initiative is part of your working relationship and commitment when accepting payment for your work.
Be free to be your best self in the place you work today. If you can’t find alignment between your growth or needs, you must become informed about what is possible outside your current company. By first engaging well with your current employer, you will hopefully secure great feedback and insights about yourself. You can also practice crucial, sometimes difficult, conversations and hone good conflict skills. When done well, it creates a highly collaborative and authentic relationship that doesn’t undo any goodwill if your growth requires you to leave.
If you need to consider other career development options, take your time to do it well. Dig deeply and know yourself, your skills, your values, and your purpose. Make sure to create a real Career Plan and process that allows you to carry the development and alignment discussion into open networking across the market or interview meetings.
CareerTruth offers many tools, exercises, and journeys to help you explore what is possible. Finding a new job is a job, don’t make it your career by continuously pursuing work to solve the wrong problems. Too many people spend their entire career job switching and never finding the fulfillment of aligned work and relationships that match their purpose.
Exploring career opportunities is always a good idea, but ensure you are not running from a career problem you should try to solve inside a strong career plan. You will be surprised what you can solve by establishing a proactive, well-thought-out plan based on your values, purpose, and longer-term vision of success that leads to you becoming your best.
