Are you considering a change in job? You may have options for change with your current employer. Deciding to stay on in your current job or move within a company might be the change your career needs.
Here are seven career moves that won’t require you to leave your current employer.
1. Stay in your current job
It’s worth checking every now and then whether the job you’re in still feels like the right one for you. After thinking about a job change, you might decide that:
- your job is fulfilling enough
- you’ll get the chance to develop your skills
- you have a good performance record and leaving means having to start all over again
- your personal circumstances make it difficult to change jobs at this time.
You can always change your mind later. For example, if your current job is about to change, it might be worth waiting before you make a final decision. This will allow you to find out what its tasks and expectations are.
If you decide to stay in your current job, considering undertaking short courses, training, study or volunteering. This will help you experience new challenges and develop new skills outside of your workplace.
2. Find ways to improve your current job
There may be ways to make your existing role more rewarding or challenging. For example, discuss with your supervisor about ways to use your skills and areas of interest. You could also discuss ways to further develop your skills through training or study. These options may be easier than moving to a new job. You never know – your employer may have plans or ideas about your job role and ways to develop it.
3. Look for a promotion
There are many reasons to seek promotion.
- You might want more responsibility or the chance to develop new skills.
- You might be after higher pay or professional status.
- You might want more control over what happens in the workplace.
Promotion usually brings greater responsibility. You need to consider if you’re ready to take that on. You might end up with more money, but less time to enjoy it. You might have to work longer hours, or be under greater pressure to perform or bring about results.
Consider opportunities to develop and showcase your leadership potential.
4. Look for project work or secondment
A short time spent doing other work may be all you need to feel refreshed in your current job. Project work or a secondment is a good way to try out a different job, without making a dramatic change. Variety of work also looks good on your resume, showing initiative and diversity of skills. These roles are only temporary. If you find you’re not happy doing project work, you can always go back to the job you were in before.
On the other hand, you might enjoy the new work so much that you feel dissatisfied when you go back to your old work. If that happens, you might want to look for a more permanent change.
5. Look for another job at the same level
You might just want a change, not more responsibility. Maybe you can move ‘sideways’ in your organisation. Considerations for a ‘sideways’ move include:
- You won’t lose income.
- You know you could take on a similar role.
- It may mean working on different tasks, with different people and in a different business unit.
- You might feel your current job is under threat, and you would like to move to a more stable part of the organisation.
Research the new job to make sure you know what work the other department performs and what your role would involve there. The new job could turn out to be less fulfilling than your present job or you may miss the people you currently work with.
6. Look for a less stressful job
You may decide to move down the promotion ladder.
- You might feel uncomfortable with the responsibilities you have.
- You might want to cut back on the hours you work or the work stress you’re feeling.
- You might want more ‘hands-on’ work – to do a job yourself rather than organising other people to do it.
If you’re used to being a manager or your own boss, how will you feel about reporting to someone above you?
Your employer may wonder what’s going on. After all, most people choose to move up in a company hierarchy, rather than down. Make sure your employer understands why you want to move in this direction.
7. Propose a new job for yourself
You may like the organisation where you’re working but want to seek a new challenge. You can see there is opportunity for a new role to be created. One that may even generate new business for the organisation. To have a new job created, you’ll need to propose your idea to your manager. It may even need to be a written proposal.
Even though you have proposed this idea, be mindful that management may not approve it. They may even consider someone else for the role. It’s important to remain professional and accept management’s decision, whichever way it goes.
Lastly, to remain motivated and connected with others working in your field, undertake professional development and connect with professional associations. By attending seminars or conferences, you can expand your network and maintain your awareness of developments in your industry.
