Evaluating Your Current Job
5 Questions to Ask Yourself at the Start of a New Year
The start of a new year is a good time to sit back and evaluate your career and see what, if any, improvements need to be made. The last thing you want to do is be passive about your position and expect things to magically get better. Sometimes just asking yourself a few questions is all it takes to evaluate your career and push it back on track. Here are 5 things to consider:
1. Are you happy?
Sometimes it can be that simple. Are you happy? While every job has its ups and downs, you should find yourself generally happy with your job: happy to wake up in the morning, happy to see the people you work with, happy to tackle your projects.
If the answer is no…
If you’re not happy, pinpoint the source of your unhappiness. Perhaps you’re experiencing personnel problems. If so, consider whether or not that can be resolved by talking with the coworkers in question. Is it bad enough for you to request a change in team or a transfer? If you’re outright miserable, it’s time to look for another job!
2. Do you feel challenged?
You can love your work environment, your coworkers, and even your job description and still not feel satisfied. A challenging position enables you to learn and grow. It can also inspire and excited you.
If the answer is no…
If you’re not challenged, that means you’re not advancing in your career; you’re stagnate. You need to change that, and quickly. And that doesn’t mean you need to start looking for a new job. Schedule an appointment with your supervisor or boss and ask if you can take on new and different projects. Better yet, ask if you can work towards a promotion. This doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll earn more money, but it does mean you’ll learn new skills and take on more responsibility, and that’s always good for your career in the long run.
3. Are you getting paid what you’re worth?
When your salary measures up to your experience and skills you feel respected and valued as an employee. When it doesn’t, resentment often builds and you begin to feel like a drone.
If the answer is no…
You need to research what standard salary is for your skill-set to ensure that you’re not inflating your worth. Once you have a number to compare your current salary with, and can articulate how you benefit your employer, it’s time to talk with your boss. But do not be aggressive. Nothing turns an employer off more than a smarty-pants employee who demands a higher wage. Be calm, assertive, and willing to contribute more in order to get that raise. And don’t threaten to quit if you don’t mean it. There’s nothing wrong with a statement of truth: “If I can’t make more money with this company, I’ll have to look for a company that can pay me what I’m worth.” That is, there’s nothing wrong with a statement of truth if you’re truly ready to back it with action.
4. Does your current position have potential for upward mobility?
A job is rewarding when it offers you the opportunity to learn new skills and advance, earning more responsibility and a higher wage. You don’t want to work for years at a job that promises to remain the same, day after day, month after month, year after year. A career implies growth, and if you’re not moving upward, you’re not moving anywhere.
If the answer is no…
It’s time for you to look for a job that allows you to advance. Many employees will endure a lower wage and cubicle walls for the potential to work their way up in a company. If there’s no where else to go but out, maybe it’s time you packed your desk and found something more promising. But don’t jump ship before you’ve found yourself another boat, or at least a life raft. Since you currently have a steady job, use your spare time to find something truly fulfilling.
5. Are you on the right career track?
If you’ve always wanted to be an accountant, but took a job as a bank teller to pay the bills, you might find yourself frustrated in your day-to-day work activities.
If the answer is no…
If there’s no chance that you could advance to a position that aligns more with your career of choice, then it might be time to look for a new job. And if you haven’t taken the time to make any career goals, 2007 is your year. Without a target, it’s difficult to hit the mark and progress. Write down some career goals and imagine where you’d like to be in 2, 5, even 10 years. That will make it easier for you to take the necessary actions to achieve those goals. And if there is the possibility that you could advance to a position that puts you on your career track, you need to find out what it will take to do that. Talk with your supervisor or boss and share your aspirations. Generally speaking, they will be pleased to know they have an employee who wants to advance within the company. They’ll also be able to share with you what is required in order for you to attain that position you would like.
The worse thing you could do this New Year is assume that you have no power to change your current status as an employee. You are the one in control of your career, but first you must evaluate your current job and what it offers you. Once you take inventory, you decide where you’d like to go from there and take action to get where you’d truly like to be.
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