5 Questions You Should Ask Yourself Before Switching Jobs

Building a successful career means occasionally leaving your current position for greener pastures. Switching jobs is a matter of course today – long gone are the days of working the same job from graduation to retirement, but it can be tricky figuring out if you should pull the trigger and leave your existing job for a new one.

Here are five questions you should ask yourself if you’re considering a switch in employment.

Does the New Position Pay Better?

Compensation is on everyone’s minds. Finding a position with a different company that offers you better pay is always a good thing to find, especially if you feel you’re underpaid in your current position.

Keep in mind that payment isn’t the only financial concern you may have. Benefits like retirement savings, health insurance, and stock options need to be taken into account as well. If a new position doesn’t offer you an attractive benefits package, it might not be worth switching.

Will This Improve My Quality of Life?

It’s not all paychecks and benefits. Sure, leaving a low-paying job for one that will see you compensated better seems like a good idea, but you also have to consider any lifestyle changes that you’ll have to adopt in order to function in this new position.

A good example of this is if you’re considering switching to a job that requires shift work. If you’ve never done overnight shifts before, it’s likely going to be a difficult transition process, and you might find out that you’re simply not cut out for it. Torturing your mind and body for a few extra dollars an hour usually isn’t worth the trade off.

Am I Capable of Performing this New Job?

Going from a specific position in one company to a similar or identical position in another is probably the easiest switch ever. However, if you’re leaving one industry and entering another one – one that you may have little to no experience in – you need to consider if you can perform in this new role adequately.

There are countless examples of performance issues that could be potential recipes for disaster. An introvert taking a job that requires heavy phone duties is often a bad idea due to the psychological stress it places them under, for example. If you have questions about your abilities to perform in a new position, consider a switch carefully.

Have I Exhausted All Options in My Current Position?

Wanting to switch jobs is usually due to a dissatisfaction with your current position. Interpersonal conflicts, lack of advancement opportunities, and unsafe working conditions can all play a role in making you want to jump ship.

That being said, examine if you’ve exhausted all your options at your current job first. Bring your concerns to a superior and discuss them to see if there are any options open to you. You may find that conditions can improve enough for you to stay.

Will the New Environment Be a Positive One?

Switching jobs can be like a breath of fresh air when you’re walking out of a negative work environment and into a more positive one. Of course, the reverse can also be true – getting blindsided by a toxic work environment at a new job is disheartening, to say the least!

Do your best to get a feel for the culture surrounding your new position. Research the company, discover if it has a public reputation – good or bad – and ask others who work there for their honest opinions. If something’s wrong, you’ll be sure to get an earful.