Career Advice: Do You Really Want To Change Jobs?

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"Take This Job And Shove It." This title from a famous country-western ballad by Johnny Paycheck describes how most of us feel about our place in the work force at one time or another.

You are not alone. The numbers vary, but at any given time, surveys show that as many as one-half of working Americans are unhappy with their jobs and/or their careers.

But before you jump ship, particularly in troubled times, be certain you have good, sound reasons for wanting to make a change. Are you just bored; are you burned out; or are you dodging person problems that will be heavy baggage no matter where you go on your career path.

Don't be seduced by the notion that the grass will be greener in a new pasture.

It is true, as the early American writer Washington Irving wrote: "There is a certain relief in change, even though it be from bad to worse; as I have found in traveling in a stagecoach, it is often a comfort to shift one's position and be bruised in a new place. However, there is always a price to be paid for change."

A Bird In Hand

Except for the most extreme reasons, do not leave your present job until you have another one firmly secured. It is always easier to get a job when you have one.

It is not enough to know what you want to change from; you need to know what you want to change to.

Take the time to figure out what you really want to do. What will it take to make you happy? Be sure you are not the source of the problem. If you are, changing jobs is not the answer; you have to change inside yourself. Be specific in these definitions. Don't allow your self to be driven by a sense of vague malaise to make a change just for the sake of change. If you can't spell out in writing the valid reasons you want to move to a new job and be equally specific about what you want to do, don't set the process in motion.

It Takes Courage To Change

Recognize that changing jobs and career paths is a serious and difficult undertaking. Be sure that you have the courage to live with the dangers and uncertainties of making a change. There is always some risk to your present situation when you start shopping. What will be the reaction from your employer if he hears that you are "looking"? (I guarantee that he will not be happy, unless, of course, he wants you to leave.) At best, the whole process is disruptive and can be traumatic for you.

As a 16th century British theologian observed, "Change is not made without inconvenience, even from worse to better."

If, after giving the matter careful thought, you are convinced you would be better off in a new situation, mount a campaign and invest whatever time and energy are required to reach your objective. Go for it full steam.

Do not vacillate between courting new employers and sitting back in a coy mode, hoping to be courted. Frustration and loss of momentum are sure results. You will find a new job if you have something to offer that the market wants. However, it will take time.

And don't worry about there being a stigma attached to changing jobs. The President of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities told a group of college seniors that by the age of 40, they could expect that on average to have held eight different jobs.

In fact, some personnel recruiters argue that your resume will be stronger if it shows a few different jobs, so long as the reasons for changing are positive and if you are progressing in your career.

In any case, if you are constantly unhappy and frustrated because of your work, set out to make a change, either within yourself or in a new job. Given how short life is it is a mistake to do otherwise.

Don't be surprised, however, if you come to a point where you decide that by comparison your present job and career looks quite attractive. So you may decide to stay put, at least for the time being. Don't burn your bridges behind you by not making your best efforts through the last day on your present job while you are shopping.


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To get more common sense advice to protect and advance your career during tough times, sign up at http://www.CommonSenseAtWork.com for a free subscription to Ramon Greenwood's widely read e-newsletter and participate in his blog. He coaches from a successful career as Senior VP at American Express, author of career-related books, and a senior executive/consultant in Fortune 500 companies.