Jumping Jobs? - 15 Questions to Make a Strategic Career Move

15 Questions to Help You Make a Strategic Career Move

by

Dwight Bain, LMHC & Certified Career Coach

Why are people quitting jobs in record numbers? Did they find a better opportunity or is it because they are sick of working a dead-end job with a bully boss? The Department of Labor data showed for every unemployed worker, there were 1.2 job openings. Some industries are offering much higher wages, but still can’t find or retain workers.

If you are ready to jump jobs, you are not alone. Before you quit your job, think about this comparison. Most travelers can relate to being on an uncomfortable, crowded, and bumpy flight, but few would jump out midair. They endure the miserable conditions to safely arrive, while considering flying on a different airline in the future. They would never jump out without a parachute or a without a plan. A better approach before you try to jump to a better job is to see if you are ready to make the jump. Make sure you are ready to move on to a better opportunity by asking yourself these coaching questions for greater opportunities after you jump.

15 questions to ask before jumping jobs that boost your value in the marketplace...

1. Have I gained advanced education to be more valuable to a future employer?
2. Do I have specialized industry certifications? Do I possess years of industry experience?
3. Have I attended industry events to strengthen my skill set?
4. Have I volunteered for company or community leadership roles?
5. Have I taken coursework to deepen my technology skills to become digitally fluent?
6. Am I Bilingual? Trilingual?
7. Have I joined trade or industry associations as a committee or panel member?
8. Have I created or deepened measurable revenue streams that benefit my current organization?
9. Have I created strategic partnerships or brand awareness for my current organization?
10. Have I mentored younger leaders inside my industry, or another industry?
11. Am I recognized by YouTube, LinkedIn, or another social media as an influencer?
12. Have I given a TEDx or Pecha Kucha presentation in my area of expertise?
13. Have I written, co-authored, or contributed to a book or article to highlight my expertise?
14. Have I been recognized as a subject matter expert within my industry?
15. Do I have a depth of social capital by being well networked with strategic leaders in education, government, media, religion, business, sports, arts, or family services?

Simply put, organizations pay more when you have actively worked to become more valuable. However, if you haven’t done anything to create greater value in yourself, why would you expect more money or benefits from a new employer? When you are more valuable to the marketplace, opportunities come your way faster because you are known as the person who can solve problems.

If you are still feeling stuck, the best plan is to contact a career coach to leverage your gifting and maximize potential before you take the leap. Jumping into the unknown can be terrifying. Making a careful move to jump into work that matters, brings greater meaning now and is a strategic decision for decades to come.

About the author- Dwight Bain is dedicated to helping people achieve greater results. He is a Nationally Certified Counselor and Certified Coach in practice since 1984 with a primary focus on solving crisis events and managing major change.

Reprint Permission- If this article helped you, you are invited to share it with your own list at work or church, forward it to friends and family or post it on your own site or blog. Please leave it intact, do not alter it in any way, and include the following paragraph in your reprint: "Reprinted with permission from the LifeWorks Group weekly eNews, (Copyright, 2004-2013)."