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Knowing when the time is right to move on

Kate Allen, Executive Chair and Marketing Director, Allen Associates

Should I stay or shall I go? Leaving a job role you understand, an office you're familiar with and a team you've been surrounded and supported by for a long period of time, are all factors that could prevent you finding a new job. We all get used to our daily routines, and plodding reluctantly along in our current job role is easy, but are these good enough reasons to stick around?

Being overworked, not being recognised or rewarded for good work, and not feeling like a valued member of staff are the top three reasons why people tend to look for other jobs according to Business Insider (2016).

Some people may find themselves bored at work, playing games online, online shopping or clock watching, these are usually the tell-tale signs that something needs to be changed. In today's fast moving and ever-changing economy, it's all about knowing your worth, your career prospects, your chances of progression, accomplishing a better work-life balance and feeling challenged in the workplace. Money really does talk... so what salary are you worth?

The average person changes their job role 10-15 times during their entire working lifetime, (The Balance) so guilt shouldn't be a contributing factor towards you taking the plunge. With January being the most popular month for a change of career, the time for a new challenge and new opportunities are soon to be on the horizon for many people and employers.

If you are thinking of handing in your notice there's always a reason why, and this action should be acted upon sooner rather than later before you begin to resent your job role or worse, your colleagues.

But before you make your mind up, do some research into a job role that excites you.  Look into the duties, the location, the salary.  Do you have the skills, qualities, and attributes that will allow you to thrive in this role? If so, apply! First of all, ensure your CV is as up to date as possible and make it stand out from the crowd. ‘Sell’ the experiences and skills that you have which match the key requirements of the job in hand.

With more than 20 years’ experience in the recruitment sector, Allen Associates has been finding its candidates their dream jobs in the Finance, Marketing, Administration and Human Resources sectors, and we are one of Oxford's leading independent recruitment agencies. So, we understand the importance of finding a company that invests in you, makes you feel like a valued member of the team and gives recognition for a job well done. This really does go a long way in any industry and in any job role.

Once you've secured your new job, it's important to hand in your notice to your current employer in a professional manner and not burning bridges when working your final notice period. On average, it takes three to six months to fully understand and settle into any new job role, so patience, hard work, great communication and dedication are key when starting your chosen new career path. Good luck!

If you are planning your career move in the next few months, get in touch with the team today. We’ll take the time to really understand what you want from your, move and match you to the roles that are right for you. We’re here to help.