Have you stopped learning? Skill development is paramount for the IT professional. If the job has become technically stagnant, training opportunities are nonexistent, and you are unable to broaden your technical skills and experiences, a move may be in your future. If you enjoy the other aspects of your work, you should discuss with your manager the possibility of attending training courses. If management understand your frustration, they may be willing to accommodate your need for additional training. It is far more expensive to recruit new members of staff than it is to place an otherwise happy member of staff in a training course. Recruiting new staff is not only difficult, but is surprisingly expensive. If employment agencies are used, there are commissions to be paid. If the company advertises for positions, the costs of placing ads and processing applicants can pay for a training course of an existing employee many times over.
Stressful Environment
Long hours, long commutes, and impossible deadlines can make for a stressful environment.Working in such an environment can be more than enough motivation to consider a job change. Money and experience can offer little consolation when working in a highly stressful environment. Stress can affect not only work performance, but your health. Is it worth it? If you believe it is, try and identify which components of your work are the biggest factors and then try dealing with them on a one-by-one basis. If appropriate, discuss the matter with your manager, and see about adding another member to the staff or try to reduce your workload.
If, after serious consideration, you decide that it is time for you to make a move, you need to prepare a plan and then follow it. A little time planning may save a great deal of hassle later on.
How to Move On
You can prepare for a career change in several ways. The common denominator for all successful job changers is the preparation behind the move. Understanding what is required for the job change and the reasons behind the move are essential. From there you can formulate a plan of action. Changing jobs can be tricky. Some moves, such as promotions, may require very little skill upgrading but come with an increase in responsibility that may cause a certain level of stress. Other career changes may require extensive technical training or certifications to upgrade skills. When a career change requires additional skills, you need to factor in the time and money needed to acquire the skills. Learning additional skills normally requires training. Most likely you will have to pay for the training, and unless you can find training in the evening hours, you will lose income from not working during your training period. In exceptional circumstances, your new company may pay for your training, but companies that do this are few and far between. All this means that changing jobs can be a complicated procedure.
Making a Plan for Change
Successfully completing a job change requires a strategy. You need to know everything from the type of company you want to work for, the area of IT to work in, whether to try self-employment, and even the predicted future of the job. Here are a few things to consider when planning your job change:
- Make a list of companies you may want to work for. Get to know a little about these companies-what is the nature of the company, in what direction is it going, its commitment to training, and its competitiveness. A little legwork can prevent you interviewing for a company that doesn't suit your needs.
- Check the predicted job demand. The Occupational Handbook published by the U.S.Bureau of Labor Statistics (http://stats.bls.gov) is a valuable resource for seeking information on careers and the occupational outlook for the future. To check current demand for a job, you can also refer to online employment agencies.
- Determine educational requirements. Can you switch jobs with minimal upgrading or will it require a larger educational commitment? Fortunately, many skills in IT overlap.
- Brush up on current industry trends. Get to know what is out there and what is in demand. Talk to people already employed in the area, and get first hand information on the job.
