Volume 19
Employee Insights Volume 19: When to know it’s time to go!
The days of staying at the same company for years is long gone. While long tenure is applauded and very admirable, it is not the norm in todays job market therefore not a strategy to build on these days. In fact, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average tenure for employees aged 25-34 was just 2.8 years in 2022, compared to 4.6 years in 1996. I mean, have you seen a resume lately? Some people have up to 5 jobs in a single year! While according to a Gallup poll that found that up to 60% of employees are open to a new job, its key to know when and why it makes sense to actually make a move.
If you do decide to leave a company, make sure its because you’ve taken advantage of all the opportunities available and the only way to continue growing is to move onto new roles. Too many people quit too soon, or think a new job is going to be the solution to their career goals. The reality is, you need a plan, and those plans take time. But what if, you’re doing everything right, doing your best, and still, nothing! Now it might be time to consider a new opportunity.
Todays Masterclass Monday helps you identify the 3 signs you need to lookout for to know its time to move on.
Managers vs Leaders
Leadership is about character, not titles. So who do you report to? Whether their email signature says supervisor, manager, director, VP even, not every person you report to will take a vested interest in helping you grow as a professional. Some managers are more interested in their own job and just expect you to do your job and keep your head down. Try and get a gauge on whether the individuals you report to lean on their team, considers internal talent for opportunities, and see if they do a fair enough job of keeping their finger on the pulse with all things going on in their team. Do your best to identify potential leaders you can learn from but in the event you don’t see it, this might be an indicator that this place isn’t for you long term.
Lack of transparency
Have you ever asked for a review, or applied to an internal job, and been ghosted by your own company? Unfortunately, it happens all to often. Employers such as these don’t prioritize the employee experience making it difficult to know what steps you can take to move up in the company. Before making a decision to leave, make sure you are clear about your goals to grow with the organization. Make sure you speak to your direct manager and ask for direction and guidance on what steps you can take to facilitate that process. Remember to set up follow up and feedback meetings to keep up to date with progress. If you’ve taken all these measures and you still cant get a straight answer, consider that, their indirect answer and keep an eye out for new jobs elsewhere.
Low standards
Have you ever worked at a place with poor safety compliance? How about low standards in the quality of their work? The Numbers over Quality mindset? While you should take every job serious, some places don’t take themselves seriously, maybe even at your expense. It might not be in your best interest to invest your time into growing roots at a place that may not be there for the long haul. Low standards in operations, and management, are breeding grounds for safety hazards and other conflicts that might negatively impact your experience.
So, are you ready for your next career opportunity? If the decision is made, theirs one clear option. Allow FLAG to support you on your next search and help you lock in that next promising opportunity!