CAREER SPECIAL .....Career growth: Ask right questions before quitting

Career growth: Ask right questions before quitting



`Avg Person Today Will Switch Jobs 12 Times In Their Career'

Do you often find yourself asking “What's next?“ If yes, then know that you 're not alone. It could be the thrill of experimenting, or the need to raise your perso nal bar, or that you enjoy new experiences, or maybe even all of them put together. But whatever the reason, the hunt for something new can be very energising. It's no different when it comes to where you work and what you do.

Research suggests that the average person today will change jobs around 12 times in their career. It's no surprise then that much of your time and energy will be spent in trying to figure out what comes next -tracking market and job trends, networking, interviewing, transitioning and then starting the cycle all over again. Here's a quick checklist to help narrow down options:

Why do I want to quit?

If you're contemplating a change, then write down three reasons for it. What in particular are you looking for? More responsibilities? A larger team? More money?
Better mentoring? Exposure to a new industry? Specialised training? Why do you think you're not getting it in your current job? And have you tried hard enough for it?

Will I fit in?

Do all the research you can to understand the people and the vision behind the companies that you're considering applying to. Apart from reading up on company websites and social media channels, connect with people on LinkedIn and get to know possible team members better. Read independent reviews on platforms like Glassdoor. Try to meet different people if you can and hear their perspectives. Ask questions about the culture, values and purpose. Do they really resonate with who you are and what you want to do?

Where will I be in three years?

I always find this a particularly helpful lens. Whatever the reasons for the change -how does this impact your longterm plans? What will it set you up to do better than you would have otherwise? Where will you be on your learning curve? The more tangible you make this assessment, the clearer you will be on how to measure success in a few years.

How much money is enough?

Money is an important consideration, so don't shy away from discussing it. Put down a figure, so that you can honestly evaluate and plan. Factor in different things, like when you want to buy a home or where you want to send your children to school or the kind of holidays you want to take.That said, if you make all your career moves solely based on where you get the highest pay package, you'll be constantly on the move. It just doesn'tadd up in the longer run. Instead, figure out what you really need and then shift your focus to other benefits like medical policies or flexible work schedules. They can have an equally significant impact on your longer-term decisions.

Is it worth the trade-off ?

Remember that it takes at least a year to settle into a new role, step up your learning curve and start adding value.Chances are you would've built equity in your current role.So, evaluate the trade-off and be sure it's worth it.

Fact: I've been at Godrej for 21 years. And, yes, it may seem rather ironic that I'm writing about switching jobs. But here are the other facts: I'm fortunate to have worked across multiple roles -in fact, I probably tried out a new role every three years, sometimes in entirely new functions like CSR or IT -and watched our business grow in five very different industries, across five major continents. So, I guess what I'm trying to tell you is that sometimes what you're looking for may be closer home than you think. Should you make a change? There's no one way to answer that. But what I can say , is that if you don't ask yourself the right questions you run the risk of hopping onto the change bandwagon without being sure of where you're headed.

The writer is group head (HR & corporate services), Godrej Industries and associate companies.

By Sumit Mitra

 Aug 09 2017 : The Times of India (Mumbai)

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