The Career Report
	Volume 1 - Issue 12 - November, 2007
- Sign up for the Career Report For comments, questions or future topic suggestions, contact askmelinda@thepittmangroup.com - Search Jobs - Post Resume - Contact Us Know someone who could benefit from the information in the article? Please forward this report to them.	Knowing When to Stay and When to Go (By Melinda Pittman) “Should I stay or should I go now? If I go, there will be trouble, And if I stay, it will be double.” Many of you probably recognize the words above.  They’re lyrics from a 1981 song by The Clash, and although they refer to a relationship, they could very well be applied to an employment situation.  People often feel conflicted in such a situation, trapped between their desire to find something better and their compulsion to stay and “tough it out.”  This could be the result of circumstances that have deteriorated over time or because a person realizes, shortly after accepting a new position, that the job isn’t what they thought it was. It’s a good idea to periodically conduct an analysis of your present situation.  Even those who are satisfied with where they are consider it a healthy exercise.  An accurate assessment of your employment situation is a precursor not only to professional growth, but to personal growth, as well.  Your job constitutes a major component of your life, and as such, it can greatly contribute to (or detract from) your overall happiness and well being. Recognizing the signs After you conduct an assessment, you may find that you’re relatively happy with your situation and have no desire for a change.  That’s good news and an affirmation that you’re on track with your career goals.  On the other hand, if you find that you’re not that thrilled, you may have encountered one (or more) of the warning signs listed below: You have no passion for what you’re doing.  Sure, you might technically be in the industry you’ve always wanted to be in, but that doesn’t mean what you’re doing excites or motivates you.  If your work is boring or it doesn’t challenge you, then it’s difficult to be passionate about it. The company you work for doesn’t seem to have any clear vision or direction.  Keep in mind that this is sometimes a temporary situation for a company, so don’t jump the gun—considering the ebb and flow of the business world, this is a phenomenon that almost every company experiences at one time or another.  What you need to determine is if your company or department truly doesn’t have a clear vision, or if they’re just not effectively communicating the essence of their vision. Your potential for growth at the company appears to be limited.  If you’ve been left out of new project assignments, then the possibility exists that you could be pigeonholed.  In other words, management believes you’re an “expert” in one particular area only, even if you know your skill set far exceeds that area. Your current position doesn’t fit in with your plans for career advancement.  Everybody has dreams of bigger and better things for their future, and that includes their employment future.  If your current position doesn’t appear conducive to the achievement of your long-range goals, that may prove problematic. Before you act . . . Once you recognize the warning signs, it’s important that you discuss your concerns with your immediate supervisor.  Let them know specifically what things you’re worried about and why.  And here’s an important point to remember: don’t just present concerns, but also offer suggestions for how you think the company might utilize you and your skills in a more effective fashion.  Your supervisor might not be aware of your plans for career development or what you’re currently doing to carry out those plans (such as going back to school). Their reaction to your concerns and suggestions will help to clarify the type of situation you’re in.  For example, if they listen carefully, give credence to your concerns, and discuss possible solutions, then you should be optimistic that a resolution can be reached.  However, if you feel as though your concerns are being dismissed or simply tolerated, with no substantial changes forthcoming, then perhaps you should chart a different course of action. Unfortunately, some employees wait until their situation grows almost unbearable before considering a change.  This is not healthy emotionally, psychologically, or physically.  The key is to continually analyze where you are and where you want to go, so that you can make a change before it becomes unbearable. After all, you only have so much time, so much energy, and so many resources.  In the final analysis, does it make sense to waste those while working in an ongoing situation that ultimately is not going to benefit you?  I’m not talking about a short-term situation that is uncomfortable or that you don’t like, but instead ongoing circumstances that you know will ultimately lead to leaving your present company. Can you see yourself doing what you’re doing right now four or five years down the road?  Does the thought of that make you want to cringe?  If it does, start looking for a position that can energize your career. “Should you stay or should you go now?” If you have any questions about this topic, or if you would like help conducting an analysis of your current situation, please feel free to send me an email at melinda@thepittmangroup.com.   BioScience | Informatics | Information Technology
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