With the economy showing signs of recovery, it may be time to start considering a career move and get prepared for exciting opportunities, whether within or outside your company. However, while there is no quick and fast rule for the length of time one should stay in a job, people should take into account the opportunities, prospects and satisfaction they get from their jobs before sending out those applications.
The economic turndown has put many employees under increased stress, working around thinly stretched resources and taking on additional responsibilities with reduced staff benefits. But the decision to jump ship should not be solely based on monetary considerations.
Job satisfaction can be a huge motivator to decide to go or stay. Although compensation is important, it is sometimes further down the list as people rarely consider it to be the sole motivator for a move.
Better exposure and learning opportunities are by far the best reasons to change jobs. However, if you feel that you are being underused or have outgrown your job description, then it may be time to look elsewhere for opportunities.
Review and assess your situation
For many people, making a decision to stay or go is not always easy, but it makes perfect sense to formulate a set of reasons for staying or moving on. Assess and review your situation, weigh up the pros and cons attached to your role and personal situation, such as financial, family or educational options. Do a thorough analysis of the possibilities of advancement in your company against the short-term and mid-term career goals of what you want to achieve at your next level of career development. This will help you ascertain whether the time has come to move on or whether you need to remain in your present role to gain more experience and hone your skills and knowledge.