We change jobs more and more often. This is partly due to our adaptation to a rapidly changing world and partly because our expectations of work are rising.

We are becoming more and more aware of the importance of work in our lives and we want it to better fit our needs. This makes us look for new opportunities on the labor market more often.

Changing jobs is not easy. When you make a bold decision, there will usually be challenges to overcome. It is then easy to make some common mistakes when changing jobs.

HOW TO AVOID MISTAKES WHEN CHANGING JOBS

If you plan to change jobs in the near future, avoid these mistakes and you will save yourself a lot of disappointment.

1. LOOKING FOR A SIMILAR JOB

As soon as you realize that you hate the work you do, you start browsing through job offers. Most of us just go to the classifieds page and look for similar work.

Of course, this is understandable, because the fastest way to find a job you can do. However, be careful not to make one of the common mistakes when changing jobs. After all, something made you want to change your job to another. Does looking for the same job really make sense?

When you look for the same job, you limit yourself to new opportunities. Isn’t it time for a higher position? Or maybe it is worth looking for a job in a new industry? Sticking to the same job prevents you from developing yourself. Without going beyond your comfort zone, you won’t gain new skills.

Quitting the first job offer often translates poorly into increasing job satisfaction. At worst, you will end up in a job that you hate as much as your current one because you haven’t had time to evaluate what you really want from your next job.

You’d better make sure that the reasons for the change do not lie with the job itself. It is also a good opportunity for a moment of honesty for you. Perhaps this job is not for you and it’s time to look for something completely new?

Staying in a job you hate while exploring other options can be quite unpleasant, but it’s often the best course of action for your future self. Remember that a job you love doesn’t mean you’ll be happy and fulfilled every day. Rather, focus on what motivates you, what interests you, and what you need for long-term satisfaction.

We all go through stages of dissatisfaction with our work. But try to always go towards something and never run away from something.

2. YOU WORK WITHOUT REFLECTION

Okay – you already have an open job search engine, chose a few ads, click “apply” and … done!

We often make a decision to change jobs under the influence of emotions. You’ve been pissed off by your boss, client or colleague – the perfect time to send an application. Earlier, a small CV lift – you have to add your last job.

Acting under the influence of emotions and without preparation most often ends in disappointment. A disappointment because your application remains unanswered. There may also be a worse situation – you get a job, but the new one turns out to be even worse than the previous one.

Acting without thinking may produce some results, but was this the effect you expected? Is it not about changing jobs for a better one? It cannot be done if you do not think about a few important points for you beforehand.

It is worth considering what you no longer want in your job and what you want in return. But for this, you need to know yourself – your needs, motivation and values.

Don’t start change without thinking about these important points. Acting without reflection will make you waste time looking for a job that is not right for you. This is another common mistake when changing jobs.

Escape will not solve your problems – they will be repeated in the next job.

Before you find your dream job, take some time to think about what you are passionate about, what makes you happy at work, what your long-term career goals are, what skills you bring in, and what else you need to learn to change jobs. Knowing yourself and the secrets of the job you want is essential for a successful change.

3. YOU THINK FOR TOO LONG

The moment to stop, look at yourself and the situation is very important. It takes time and peace for this, so it may take some time. It is not worth rushing and making sudden movements. But you can’t think forever either.

For many of us, the first starting point for solving a problem is to think it over until we find a real solution. Listing alternative workplaces and listing the pros and cons often seem like the most natural first step for us.

The problem with this approach is that we are limited by our current worldview. By not experiencing new things, we are unable to go beyond what we know today.

Unfortunately, just thinking and reflecting will not change anything. Nothing will change if your action only stops in your head. At some point, you have to take action. It can take small steps.

Such a small step can be a conversation with a person who is doing your dream job. A small step is to get in touch with a person who works in a company that you have been following for a long time.

If you like to think carefully, try to set an end date. Make these considerations more effective too. The point is, make sure you don’t fall into the same thought loops where nothing new comes out of you.

And finally, start acting – go beyond thinking, start talking to others, develop a plan and implement it in small steps.

Lack of decisions and avoiding action are not without consequences. Being stuck at work that you hate affects your health, relationships and your environment.

4. YOU WORK BUT WITHOUT RESULTS

Maybe you are already working – you have an updated CV, apply and gain new professional contacts. Maybe you have some ideas written down for yourself. However, weeks and months pass and you are still in the same job. Nothing changes even though you are active.

If you have no results in the form of specific job offers from employers, then something is wrong. Maybe you need to improve your CV or change your job search strategy? In that case, it’s worth defining some pointers so you don’t waste time on something that doesn’t work.

Finding a job requires mastering several skills: writing a CV that attracts the employer’s attention, reaching the right people and offers, negotiating salary, etc. The labor market is changing as dynamically as the world around us. Before you start your search, find out which job search methods are the most effective now.

With major professional changes, we often perform the so-called apparent movements. This means you are acting, but no effect. You do it rather for the sake of peace of mind. Unfortunately, nothing of these results. Examples of such activities are surfing the Internet, signing up for training, going to various events.

When looking for a new job, such activities are absolutely necessary. Except at some point, you will expect results. It will be difficult to get any concrete effect from these inconspicuous actions if they do not have a clear goal and a well-thought-out strategy behind them.

5. YOU HAVE NO PLAN

Changing jobs can often take months. A successful implementation plan will certainly help. Without a well-thought-out strategy, you can drift around the labor market longer than necessary. Developing a detailed action plan that includes finances, strategy, contacts and education – this is the foundation of your potential success.

Being organized and focused before making any big decisions will help you stay clear of mind when you are under strong emotions.

Spontaneous or relying on luck may not bring you any results, at least not what you would like to see. Lack of a plan is one of the common mistakes when changing jobs.

SUMMARY – HOW TO AVOID ERRORS WHEN CHANGING JOBS

Once you have determined what work you need, set a goal and schedule. Your plan should include a series of concrete, doable steps that will increase your chances of getting the attention of your prospective employer.

I myself made at least 4 of these common mistakes when changing jobs. Some of them were hard for me to even realize – it was only with the passage of time that I could see them. However, you don’t have to commit them – it’s always better to learn from the mistakes of others.

 

Leave a comment