In the cult book-slash-film, The Devil Wears Prada, ambitious, upcoming journalist Andrea Sachs is assistant to Miranda Priestley, the world’s most acclaimed fashion editor, and nightmarish boss. As long as she’s Priestley’s assistant, the world is her oyster and she can pretty much springboard to any other job in the world that she wants.
Like Andrea, we’re all in search of that elusive shiny new job, aren’t we? The one that will fulfill our souls and bank accounts in equal measure. Author and former business executive Seth Godin got it right when he said, the ideal time to look for a new job is when you don’t need one. Let’s explore this very sound piece of advice – and then a few others – to make your quest for a new job easier.
When You’re Already Thriving In A Job
Start looking for options before your current job starts getting too comfortable! Karan Sandhu, a Nagpur-based career consultant says, “People stay in jobs for various reasons – financial security, comfort, or even lack of similar opportunities. But the general idea is to make sure you outgrow your current job before it outgrows you. It is always good to keep an eye out for other positions when you’re still in the industry, actively working, networking, building contacts, and within the system. A prospective employer will also find such a person much more attractive, rather than someone who is unemployed or irrelevantly employed.”
According to a survey conducted by PwC India, 34 per cent of Indian employees would look to switch to a new employer, as opposed to a global average of 19 per cent. What’s more, women in leadership positions are 1.5 times more likely than men in the same designations to switch jobs. The drivers are not always financial in their cases. Women actually look for workplaces that support flexibility, diversity, and inclusion.
“If you start looking for a job when you’re still solidly employed and thriving in your existing position, you’ll be able to approach the switch with more thought,” says Sandhu. “You won’t need to rush into it or settle for whatever comes your way. It also gives you the freedom and security to negotiate for terms that are deal-breakers or really matter to you. Of course, there may be risks to active job hunting when you’re still very much in the thick of things at your old company. The most obvious risk is that someone will find out and it may have consequences at your existing workplace if things don’t work out elsewhere. But, no pain, no gain, right?”
When Your Company And Industry Are Shrinking
There are over 20 million jobs (and counting) available on LinkedIn. And that’s just one place to look. The job market is rife with opportunities. The world is changing. Entire industries have become obsolete. Ask the people who manufactured audio cassettes or VHS tapes. Or those who printed maps. When you find that layoffs, pay cuts, and downsizing become the norm at your company, it is no longer the sign of a flourishing business. Instead of living in denial and resisting change, accept it – embrace it, even.
Bangalore-based HR manager at an IT firm Sadiya Khan says, “Upskilling is a given, no matter which industry you hail from. When I first started working 20 years ago, softwares like Foxpro were still used. You’ve got to stay up to date with the times. If your present company isn’t able to cope with rapidly changing needs, it’s time to look for a workplace that looks to the future. Keep abreast of industry trends and forecasts from the word go, so you’re not blindsided when it hits you. Always keep learning – whether it’s on your own or through short-term courses. Don’t be restricted by your degree or your jobs so far. Instead, identify your skill sets or hidden passions. Who knows, you could find a suitable job match from a different industry altogether!”
When You Want To Prioritise Growth And Learning
Have you ever felt that you’re stagnating? Or that you never feel challenged or intrigued anymore by the intricacies of your job? Or that you don’t get that ‘high’ while accomplishing a particularly difficult task? Your learning curve has probably plateaued and it’s time to find a new job.
Research has shown that the average employee spends around 72 hours a week working. Where, then, is the time for feeling fulfilled? Unless, of course, it comes with the job. The dynamics of staying in a job are changing. While money and designation jumps are certainly important, there is more emphasis now on personal satisfaction. Skill sets should equip you to deal with life beyond the workplace and spark a sense of joy.
A word of caution though, even when you’re swapping for personal development, never lose perspective of the monetary and career growth aspects. Don’t, for instance, make a lateral job hop. When you do that, you lose the only window for a significant pay or designation hike.
When Your Health And Work-Life Balance Matter
Microsoft’s Work Trend Index last year reported that 65 per cent of employees in India would switch jobs to prioritise their physical and mental health. No prizes for guessing that Gen Zs and millennials comprised most of this number. The report further stated, “The experience of the past two years has reshaped our priorities, identities, and worldview, drawing a bright line between what’s important — health, family, time, purpose — and what’s not. As a result, employees’ “worth it” equation — what people want from work and what they’re willing to give in return — has changed.”
For those women who have food to put on the table, prioritising work-life balance isn’t always a choice they can make. There is always the need to stay one step ahead of everyone else, to prove that they’re better than their male counterparts, and to show that they’re willing to go the extra mile. However, that shouldn’t have to be the case – especially not at the cost of their health, time spent with children, or mental well-being. Putting in those extra hours now will not necessarily reward us in the future. Start slowly and steadily looking for jobs that value what you bring to the table, rather than the hours you put in.
On average, it takes anywhere from three to six months to find a new job and complete the procedure of moving from start to finish. Be prepared to invest this time and also take a few risks while you’re trying to land that dream job. After all, as Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Do not be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment."