Looking at Risks and Rewards Before Changing Jobs

There is no question that todays job market is tougher than it has been in more than 20 years. Millions of jobs have been lost in the last 12 months and more are expected. The media is blasting us with information about layoffs in almost every industry. A large focus about what we hear is around people not working. What about those that are working? What should they do if they are burning out or unhappy in their current job? We offer tips to help you consider your options about whether you should stay or leave your current job.

Stay in current job:

· Risk: Burnout, lack of upward mobility, cuts in pay /benefits, unhappy in job, mandatory days off

· Reward: keep seniority, benefits/salary, take on greater responsibilities due to cut backs, great opportunity to focus on developing a new career strategy without having to worry about looking for a new job at the same time

Changing jobs without developing a career strategy:

· Risk: no seniority in new job (1st to be cut), still potential for cuts in pay/benefits, trial by fire, may be moving into another high stress and unsatisfying job due to lack of research

· Reward: new job with a change in environment, short-term job satisfaction, less risk of immediate burnout

Changing jobs with a developed, planned and implemented career strategy

· Risk: no seniority in new job (1st to be cut), still potential for cuts in pay/benefits

· Reward: completely new career based on your interest and passion, understand and are prepared for the change, new opportunity (trial by fire eliminated), upward mobility, long-term job satisfaction, burnout concerns likely eliminated