Job change: carefully considering opportunities and risks

However, the change to another company or industry should be carefully thought through and planned. A job change to another department, a new company or even to a foreign field of work is part of a normal CV. Regardless of the reasons for the change. In a mobility study, over 70% of the HR managers surveyed assume that today's entrants to the profession change jobs five to ten times during their career. Reason enough not to avoid career changes.

However, too frequent job changes, so-called job hoppers, are often interpreted as a sign of unreliability and lack of stamina. It is important to find a healthy middle ground for one's own career. In the following, we have compiled checklists for you to check your personal chances and risks for a possible job change.

Before changing jobs, you should weigh up the pros and cons precisely. Take plenty of time to analyse and weigh up your initial situation, the advantages and disadvantages of your current position and the possibilities for change.

Checklist "Your job":
Possible answers: very good, good, less good or unsatisfactory.

• How satisfied are you with your current field of activity?
• Are you challenged and supported enough?
• How satisfied are you with your internal and external training?
• How do you assess your personal chances for advancement?
• Is your salary adequate? Are special achievements rewarded?
• Do you feel comfortable in the current company and working environment?
• What about the safety of your workplace?
• How future-oriented does your employer present itself on the market?

Evaluation:
After this short analysis, it is easy to find out your personal motives for a possible job change. Even if most of the questions were answered with the two negative categories, it does not mean that a job change is absolutely necessary. Here it is important to analyse in detail whether it is a matter of momentary dissatisfaction, which can be improved by discussions e.g. about salary, further training opportunities and promotion prospects. Or whether it is a permanent dissatisfaction, then quick action is essential.

If you have come to the conclusion that internal changes are not possible at your current employer, and that promotion opportunities and salary increases are also very limited, then you should not shy away from changing jobs. Take a strategic approach. Describe in as much detail as possible what you expect from your new job.

Checklist future perspectives:

• Where would you like to be professionally in 1 year, in 5 years and in 10 years?
• Which work areas and companies fit your job profile?
• In which tasks and activities are you particularly interested?
• Are you interested in taking on more or less responsibility than in your previous position? If you would like more responsibility, please find out whether it is personnel, project or budget related.
• Would you be willing to change your place of residence for a new job?
• Would you be willing to give up a pay rise for a new job?

The key data for your dream job have now been determined, now it is time to search for the right job in the trade and daily press or in online job portals. Look out for internal job advertisements, listen to your circle of friends and acquaintances and inform yourself in detail about job offers in print and online media. Prepare yourself intensively for the application phase. This may include attending communication training courses, further training events to supplement your personal professional profile, and internal training courses. Continue to get involved in your "old" area of responsibility, because your commitment and work results will later be reflected in your application documents.

You have now made yourself fit for a new job, now you have to check your new potential employer very carefully.

Checklist new company:

• Was there or is there a great deal of fluctuation in the company, especially in management?
• Are there structural changes in the company such as mergers, company sales, outsourcing of departments?
• Is the company doing well economically?
• Is the new job secure?
• Are there many redundancies and dismissals in the company?

• What career opportunities does your future area of responsibility offer?
• What is the company philosophy?
• How do the internal structures look like?

Now you are well prepared for the application phase leading up to the job interview. Applying for a job from a position that has not been terminated is an important plus in the interviews. The HR managers can be sure that you are serious about the change and that your interest in the new job is very high. If you then have the new employment contract in your pocket, you have won!