Hays Canada Blog

Changing jobs is not a simple task, and trying to so do in the midst of a crisis can make it an even more complex predicament. In fact, it is normal to be extra cautious when deciding if now is the right time to make a move. If you are ready to make the jump into a new opportunity, here are some things to keep in mind to ensure a successful transition.

1. What is motivating you to make a job change?

Identify the reasons why you want to make a job change in order to evaluate if this shift will be beneficial for you and your career. This desire for change can be generated by several causes, some including:

• Dissatisfaction with your day-to-day tasks
• Feeling unfulfilled with the sector you currently work in
• Feeling that you are no longer learning and progressing
• Desire for a higher salary

After reflecting on this and confirming that these aspects don’t have a solution in your current place of employment, the next question you should ask yourself is, in which sector and type of company do you want to work for?

2. What is the situation of the sector you want to be in?

In times of crisis, it is important to evaluate and understand what is happening in the sector that you are looking to apply in, and how it is being impacted. Different sectors of the economy suffer in different ways from the crisis and in some cases, even benefit from it. Understanding the impacts and opportunities that the crisis provides in different sectors is crucial to make a thoughtful decision.

3. Which company is ideal for your professional goals?

You’ll want to understand what are the immediate and long-term plans of the companies that you are interested in, and evaluate if they will offer you the career opportunities you want to help advance your career. Also, learn about the economic situation of the company – this will give you more confidence when deciding if it’s the right move to make during the job changing process. In addition to knowing if the company is well structured and financially positioned, you must also assess the organizational culture of a company to determine if they are aligned with your values ​​and purpose.

4. What is the company’s culture and environment?

Reach out to currently employees at the company, or staff who worked there in the past to understand the organizational culture and the environment. You can also access social media profiles, read online reviews, and access sites that have anonymous reviews of current and past employees to gain a better understanding of the company. This way you will be able to understand more about the experiences of staff at this company, as well as the opportunities for growth, learning and development.

5. Are you being mindful of how you are feeling?

Looking for a new opportunity in a time of crisis can be nerve-racking. Feeling like this is normal and even if you are experiencing an unfavourable situation, keep calm. A person who is less eager to change jobs tends to make less mistakes, assessing conditions more thoroughly. Important issues can be overlooked or omitted when there is a lot of eagerness to make a job change as certain factors might be overlooked. Keeping a leveled head will help you better evaluate your opportunities and reflect on the important matters that are involved in this process. This will help you make a thoughtful and assertive decision to successfully find an opportunity in the market.

As a potential new employee it’s important for you to understand what the organization’s new strategic priorities are and how this role will contribute to achieving them. It’s also important for you to feel reassured that the organization is adapting and innovating to secure a strong position in the next era of work.

Are you ready for a job change?

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