People move on for many reasons such as boredom, frustration, better compensation elsewhere or the pursuit of happiness. Whatever your reason, make sure it makes sense for you and it is a decision you can commit to. I have had a lot of conversations with people who are ready to explore opportunities; here are the top three reasons that I think may well warrant a change of scenery.
Upward Mobility. Sometimes you reach the top of your company before you reach the top of your potential. Whether you have reached the most senior position in your organization, someone else in your company is already at the next level and there's no likelihood he or she will be stepping aside in the foreseeable future, or the next level requires relocation, it can become difficult to imagine your prospects with your current company. Wanting to advance your career, providing the next step lines up with your career goals and aspirations, is a perfectly acceptable reason for wanting a change.
New Challenges. Everyone loves a challenge; passionate people are driven by overcoming obstacles and paving the way to innovation. I often hear people say that they love their job, but it has become so familiar and routine that they have run out of problems to solve. It isn’t necessarily a bad thing to become so skilled and efficient at your job that it practically manages itself; but when you are motivated to create, modify and improve, it is difficult to be complacent. In this case, it is understandable, and even commendable, that a new challenge appeals to you.
Personal Growth. Another good reason to move on is to gain new knowledge, skills, and abilities. Perhaps you have identified an area of improvement, such as people management, and you decide that you want to move on to a position where you can strengthen this skill. You could also identify gaps that aren’t specifically task related, such as leadership, communication and credibility, where you could benefit from a mentor figure at another company. Seeking out the opportunity to work alongside people you respect and admire can be quite enriching.
We all experience lulls in our careers; it is how we approach and learn from these dips that contribute to our long-term success. Keep in mind that the reasons you give for moving on speak volumes about the values you hold as a career minded individual. Take the time to figure out why it is that you want to move, and whether or not a change in scenery will actually take you where you want to go.
Allyson England is a Recruitment Coordinator at Meridia, a Knightsbridge Robertson Surrette company in Halifax. Meridia is Atlantic Canada's leading contingency recruitment firm that is focused on providing high quality, fast turnaround recruitment for professional and technical positions.
