CHANGING JOBS: when is the right time to change?

Some people spend a lifetime in the same job and it is completely their choice to do so. However, very often they become the brunt of comments such as:

- You have no ambition!

- Get a life!

- You have been sitting in the same place ever since I have known you!

These comments are, of course, insensitive and shallow. They are made by persons who have never known what it is to make decisions not based solely on self. If someone's personal circumstances are not known then how can it be right to judge him/her? Several factors such as convenience, domestic situation, benefits, disability or simply love for the job may influence a person’s decision as to whether it is best to remain in a given job or position even if it may seemingly be a dead end.

Convenience

You may be studying locally or doing an online programme. Your job is close to home and the hours are flexible. You get the time that you need to do your assignments and may even be allowed to use the computer at work if you do not have one at home. At the end of the day the pay may not be great and your rank may not be esteemed, but the rewards in terms of convenience for your needs at this specific period in your life may far outweigh the financial and status benefits. Alternatively, you may be an outdoors type of person and you feel stifled within a structured work setting. Your job allows you to be on the move and to enjoy the type of freedom which is important to you.

Domestic Situation

The fact that your job is close to home and that you have flexible hours may be appropriate for your domestic situation. You may have young children or elderly parents who depend on you. Your job affords you the latitude you need to deal with these demands. Conversely, you may be the one needing the support of your parents to assist with your young children while you are out at work and so it is really important that you have a job which puts you close to them or which is on their route. Parents who are at home save you a lot on baby sitting and child after- school- supervision expenses.

Benefits

You love traveling and it has always been your dream to know the world. Your job provides opportunities for travel which you could not, on your own have afforded, so you have been able to explore the world at no cost to your pocket. In addition, there are other perks which make your job attractive to you such as a good medical health package which covers your entire family, discounts on goods or services, employee motivation such as Christmas bonus and gifts etc.

Disability

A disability, while not rendering you totally unable to function, may severely restrict your capacity to carry out certain basic functions. For example, you may be unable to sit for long hours, to commute long distances, to function in air conditioned places, to tolerate certain odours or other environmental conditions. These are all factors which limit your job options and so when you find a job which meets your needs, you better stick to it!

Familiarity

You are well known and well loved on the job. Everyone is like family and this lends a feeling of security. You know where to find everything and you have accumulated a fair amount of what appears to be necessary clutter which marks your space as yours. You can pick up your children after school and let them roam about in these familiar surroundings because it is familiar and feels safe.

Love for the job

You love your job, it is as simple that. You enjoy what you do and you feel that different days bring different challenges, different opportunities, different degrees of satisfaction, different blessings. You know everything that there is to know about your job and as a result you feel comfortable and confident. You are respected for your seniority and derive immense satisfaction from providing mentorship for younger staff. You are not bored. You are happy and have no desire to move. So why should you move?

All these variables count in determining whether one should change jobs or not. At different stages in one’s life one variable may become more or less significant. Whatever the case, at the end of the day it is left solely up to you to determine whether the time for change has come. It is you and only you who should determine what is right for you at any given period in your life.