It seems like everyone is changing their jobs these days. It’s true the Great Resignation hit every industry, including IT. IT workers have options now, with many more jobs available than workers to fill them. Most of us are trying to find meaningful work, but many developers tell us they are also conscious of developing trends around artificial intelligence (AI) and automation that will change the work world forever.
It’s easy to consider switching jobs now. Recruiters spend all day trying to reach top tech talent to entice them into the next best thing. But is changing directions in your IT career as lucrative and beneficial as they make it out to be? Here are three lessons that you must consider before your next big job jump.
- Is Your Current Job Your Actual Career?
In a field as ever-changing and diverse as IT, this is a great question to ask. Our assumption is that you’ll say, “No,” and here’s why: The job you have now may not be here in the future. We know the only state of constant in IT is that things will change. We also know that companies have largely moved away from the pension-driven roles that kept workers in their seats right up until retirement. This means the changes are high that you will either switch jobs or switch careers within that job sometime in the future. If you’re thinking about leaving your job right now, give some thought to the future-state of IT to determine which direction your career should head in this ever-changing field. - Research Your Choices Carefully
With so many jobs open now, you are in the driver’s seat. It’s easy to be attracted to more money and better benefits. When you’re unhappy in your current job, the tendency is to romanticize the role you’re being offered. But hold up. Most employees still leave jobs due to culture fit. Still others quit because their manager is less-than acceptable in some way. Before taking your next job, delve into the intangibles behind the money you’re offered. What will your day-to-day work entail? How can you stay current on new technologies in this position? How collaborative are the teams and what is their biggest complaint about their company. Much of this data is on sites like Glassdoor, but you can also reach out to current employees on social sites like LinkedIn to find out the real scoop on what you might be stepping in. After doing your research, then make a logical choice, not an emotional one based solely on the fact that a new job will get you out of your existing bad situation. - Go for Long-Term Goals, Not Short-Term Gain
This is a continuation of the last point; don’t be allured by the quick win. If you look at the research, what makes people happiest at work isn’t just the money. It isn’t the money at all, but the culture, the mission of the company, and the innovation that makes most employees happy. Screen for the traits beyond the short-term, and you’ll be more likely to end up in a place that feels more like home.
If you’re in IT right now, agile should be more than a methodology, but also a mindset. Blackstone Talent Group specializes in working with IT talent to set them up for success in their next care adventure. Talk with our team today to find out how we can help.