Thinking about changing your job

Why are you thinking about changing jobs?

I've gained all the experience possible in my current job
The company culture in my current employment doesn't suit my way of working
I want to broaden my experience
I'm unhappy with the work I'm doing
There are no promotion prospects in my current job
I want a change of career

Making a decision: should I stay or should I go?

Before you make a decision to leave your job, take time to analyse your situation
Talk things through with someone and write your thoughts down so that you can remind yourself of your reasoning!

Identifying your reasons

Be clear about the exact decision that you are trying to make - what are the implications?
Gather relevant, reliable and objective information about yourself and your career options.
Make a list of reasons for leaving. Be honest and specific.
Make a list of reasons for staying or positive things about the job. Include things that you have learned about yourself and the job and skills that you have developed.
Make a list of what you want to get from your job, such as more challenges, greater flexibility to fit in with family responsibilities etc.

Evaluating your reasons

Look carefully at your reasons for leaving, and reasons for staying.
If the reasons to leave outweigh the reasons to stay, you could justify leaving. Alternatively, you still might feel that leaving doesn't feel right.
Some people make decisions quickly because they like things decided, but they don't always take the time to consider all the options and can make the wrong decision.
Other people hate making decisions as they think a decision shuts off other possibilities.
Evaluate your reasons for a few days.
Make an interim decision.
If the decision feels right, go with it. If not perhaps you need to look at your options again.

Making the final decision

Before making a final decision, discuss your concerns with someone who can be objective, and who knows enough about your situation and the job market to tell you what they think. This could be a:

Relative
Friend
Colleague
Former employer
Careers Scotland adviser

If you're still not sure what you want to do, perhaps you need more information. Try to identify what is stopping you from making a decision and work from there.

What are the options?

Possible options are:

I'm going to stay in this job a bit longer

because I haven't been here long and it might look bad on my CV if I change jobs again
because the job market is unstable at the moment
and take evening classes to improve my prospects

I'm going to leave this job

to look for a new job in the same field
to travel and work abroad
to take a career break

I think I need to change my whole career not just my job

If a drastic rethink of your work and whole career is required, do not rush into anything. Take your time to consider the issues by visiting Career advice.