Often this is done on a whim, an advertisement gets your attention and you apply, either that or you receive a call or an email from a Headhunter and you’re about to meet a complete stranger and start talking about your career and what you would like to achieve with it.
Careers are personal; one step in the wrong direction or without adequate consideration could see your short and long term plans thrown into disarray. However, a well considered and planned approach should bear you some nice results. Is it ever too early to change jobs? Common sense says “Yes” that jumping around every few months isn’t a great idea unless you can quantify this, for instance; you may only work on a specific aspect of a project, and you’re only engaged for that period. You can cover yourself in these situations with references relating to your role and professional conduct.
For the most of us though a move shouldn’t be based upon time but more environment and opportunity. It’s more beneficial to be moving in an upward direction with your career, taking on increased responsibilities, pursuing better companies and leading bigger projects then to move moving in a flat cycle with much the same responsibilities, type of company and projects … all that moving hasn’t achieved too much, perhaps monetary but saying “they paid me more” isn’t going to endear you to your next employer … it’s a bit mercenary.
So, when you’re looking at a new opportunity take your time and do some homework. There are a lot of tools available now to Job Seekers. The Web is a blessing to check up on companies and social media sites such as LinkedIn and Xing. They are great for looking up and further investigating such things as: who’s approached you, who do they work for and just how much experience do they have in their industries; particularly if you’re dealing with Headhunters and Recruiters. LinkedIn also has “recommendations” these are like referrals. For instance you’re looking at a Recruiter who’s approached you, do the recommendations come only from other Recruiters and Headhunters? Or, are they also recommended by Clients and Professionals that have used their services in the past? It’s well worth knowing who you are dealing with along with their professionalism and reputation in the market.
Where you can meet with people do so, either drop by their offices, grab a coffee or a bite to eat with them. I often meet with the people that I’m working with, Hiring Companies I’ll come by their offices and get a feel myself for their environment and in regard to the job seeker or “Talent” which is used in Heahunting circles, I will meet them for a coffee whenever possible.
This also gives you the job seeker an opportunity to engage with them and develop some rapport. Ask questions: Where is the job? Who will you be reporting to? Why is this role open? What is the working environment like? How busy are they, new project coming on, projects completed? What is their staff retention like, have they let staff go or has staff left and why?
This should get us started though! Next week will be the actual application and things to consider as a job seeker applying for a job.
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