Financial strains are among the primary reasons why individuals are hesitant to consider new career prospects in the ever-evolving recruitment industry.
In today’s dynamic economic climate, individuals often find themselves grappling with a barrage of cost of living challenges – interest rate hikes, rising rental costs, and the relentless pressure of managing day-to-day expenses. It can all seem a little overwhelming! Understandably, when faced with such adversity most people tend to stick with the familiar and avoid risk taking.
The inclination to embrace change may dwindle and it makes sense many people will stay with what they’re comfortable with, even if their current situation isn’t ideal, rather than venturing into uncharted territory. Unless an individual is extremely unhappy in their current role chances are they will not even entertain the idea of considering a new opportunity unless they are approached with a better offer.
Amidst these economic fluctuations, it is crucial to recognise that considering a new opportunity can be a prudent decision. After all, you’ll never truly know what you’re missing out on unless you make the time to explore new avenues. It’s a daunting process but an easy one to start if you know what to focus on.
To navigate this journey successfully, consider the following actionable steps:
Step 1: Step out of your comfort zone
Human beings are creatures of habit, naturally gravitating towards familiarity and the comfort of routine. The prospect of changing jobs can be intimidating, necessitating you to step outside of your comfort zone and adapt to unfamiliar environments. Remember that prior to making any career transition, you can simply start with exploring what is out there.
If you don’t explore new opportunities, you could just be missing out on your perfect role, so whilst it can be easy to stay stuck on the ‘what if’s’ that could go wrong, give as much attention to how much your life could improve if you proactively throw your hat in the ring. At the very best you will improve your situation tenfold, and at the very worst nothing will change but at least you were able to explore possibilities and have a better appreciation for potential prospects.
Step 2: Make educated decisions
Overcoming the fear of changing jobs necessitates a combination of conscious effort, self-reflection, and external support. Embarking on a new career path is not solely about what the employer offers; it’s also about what you seek and value in your professional life. To truly understand this you will need to evaluate your personal values, goals, and expectations to align them with potential opportunities.
Perceived financial risks, concerns about stability during the adjustment period, and even the fear of losing the seniority or status you’ve built in your current role. These are all important topics to consider and navigate. By engaging in discussions and consultations, you position yourself in a better stance to evaluate your options and make an informed, educated decision for your future.
Evaluation of your personal values and goals, and expectations will significantly reduce the likelihood of job regret.
Step 3: Do your due diligence
Remember finding your ideal position is a two-way street, it’s not all about the employer and whether they want you. You are equally important in the decision making process and whether the company is aligned to you.
Do your research and dive deep into the prospective employer’s background.
- Engage in conversations with the hiring manager or recruiter to address any concerns you may have.
- Request the opportunity to speak with existing employees to gain valuable insights.
- Seek independent unbiased advice from trusted sources, mentors, career coaches, or professionals within the desired industry.
- Don’t take everything at face value – look for recurring themes or trends in your research; if something doesn’t feel right, don’t hesitate to question it.
Beyond job duties and responsibilities, explore the company’s culture so that you can base your decision on more than the duties and responsibilities of the role itself. For example, I don’t think I’ve ever met a business owner that said they don’t have a fantastic team culture. It’s too generic. Don’t be afraid to ask what this means specifically and how is it displayed in everyday activities.
By digging deeper you will get a better understanding for how well a company measures up to your personal needs and your likelihood for achieving satisfaction and fulfilment as a whole.
Step 4: Start exploring opportunities
There will always be reasons not to do something but once you change your attitude and outlook towards risk vs reward, you will be surprised how easy it can be to take advantage of new career prospects.
Take an active role in finding the next step in your career. Allocate time to do some career searches, explore new roles, apply for ones that feel like a good fit and put your feelers out there.
Next time you receive a call from a consultant wanting to discuss a role – answer it! Even if you have to re-schedule it for after hours. After all, you never know what transformative opportunity might be waiting on the other end of the line.
To learn more about opportunities we have currently available that may be suitable for you check out our advertised jobs here. Feel free to reach out to me directly here to chat more about this topic or ask any questions you may have.
Author: Andrew Hill
Photo by: Saulo Mohana