Things to Know Before Switching Jobs

Are you stuck at a dead-end job? Do you feel underappreciated or invisible in the office? Do you want a change of scenery and work somewhere that is better suited to your needs? Well, the good news is that you’re not alone.

The average professional switches their job 7 times during their work life. In a world of constant innovation and small-scale business startups, employees are always looking for better opportunities in fresh, new workplaces, or even new booming industries. So why should you fall behind and stay at a job you’re not happy with?

If you think it’s time to change things up and switch to a more fulfilling job, read on.

Why you need to change jobs

First, you need to pinpoint why you want to switch. In most cases employees want to leave an organization due to terrible bosses or supervisors who don’t value them or their work. While for some people this may be a challenge worth taking on, to others it can be physically and emotionally draining. To know if it’s high time that you looked elsewhere for employment, see if the following applies to you:

You are constantly tired or stressed

Think about your stress levels compared to the first few months at your job. Are you more stressed out at work even though the workload hasn’t changed? Or maybe you feel more tired than usual, even though you’re working for the same amount of time? This is one of the first signs that you no longer enjoy what you are doing.

You are impatient or restless

Do you find yourself checking the clock, eagerly waiting for the day to be over? When you are at a job that you love, you’ll find yourself focused on your task and the day will go by without you even thinking of it. Your job should make you want to do the most in a day, rather than doing the bare minimum before rushing home.

You feel underappreciated

If your opinions are constantly overlooked or if the work you put in is often ignored or criticized, chances are that you’re better off switching. As an employee, you should feel valued at your company and have a sense of belonging. If you feel isolated, craving more recognition from your superiors and colleagues, you might thrive better working at a different organization.

You don’t like the company

When you first joined your job, you may have felt proud to work at the company. Over time this feeling may have subsided due to a bad work environment, or bad working relationships may have developed with others in the office. If you feel that you’ve outgrown your company environment, it may be better to find a different job and fresh surroundings to work in.

Your skills do not align with your interests

One reason why many employees feel demotivated at their workplace is that they are doing the kind of job they don’t want to be doing. You may have a set of skills that is perfect for your job, but it might not be something you are passionate about.

If you’re stuck doing tasks you don’t have your heart in, chances are that you will quickly get bored of doing them. It’s much better to pursue a job that you really want to do rather than to settle for a job for the sole reason that you’re capable of doing it. Search through job vacancies and find offers in the field that you are genuinely interested in; even if it is a lower position.

Things to consider before changing jobs

Once you’ve decided whether you really want to switch, it’s time to think things through. Many employees settle for less at their new job because they rush to make the switch, making them worse off than when they started. To ensure that you make an effective switch, ask yourself these questions:

What do you want out of your job?

Find out what kind of work you want to do, and what skills you want to utilize. Do you want to work in a similar field as your current job or branch out into a different sector? Do you want to improve on your existing skills or acquire new skills through your work? Answering these questions will help identify the jobs that you really want.

Which job has better opportunities?

After shortlisting a few attractive job listings, find out what opportunities each one has to offer. Which ones have advancement opportunities? Which ones feel like they would be dead-end jobs? Find out how much growth potential each company provides, to get an idea of what it would be like working for them.

What are the monetary and non-monetary benefits?

While many employees choose jobs in Bangladesh based on salary, there are many other factors to consider. One job may offer higher base pay but less fringe benefits, while another may offer more vacation time, bonuses and work flexibility with a much lower base pay. Which job you choose will depend on what kind of benefits package you are looking for.

What is the work environment like?

Do you want to work for a company with strict hierarchy and conduct or would you be more comfortable working in a more casual and open setting? What kind of organizational culture do you like? Your preference will dictate which work environment is ideal for you to flourish in.

How is the work-life balance?

Work-life balance is an essential element in every working person’s life. There needs to be a good balance between time spent at work and time spent with friends and family, or even just by yourself. If you are a workaholic living on your own, you may prefer to spend more hours at work than leisure everyday. On the other hand, if you have a spouse, children, or elderly parents, you may prefer to spend more time at home than at work. Depending on your needs, you should go for jobs that provide the ideal work-life setting for you.

How long is the commute?

Commuting to and from work can have drastic effects on your mood and well-being. It’s nearly impossible to go anywhere in Dhaka without sitting through traffic for at least an hour. This makes city dwellers more prone to irritability and tiredness. To make your life easier, you might want to go for a job closer to home so that you have more time to get things done in a day.

How will switching jobs affect my professional relationships?

While switching jobs, you might unexpectedly burn a few bridges along the way, or there may be some tension or awkwardness at the end of it. You need to consider what impact it will have on your professional life. It’s a standard procedure for new employers to contact your previous organization to ask about you. To your best ability, provided you’re not being treated unfairly, try to maintain good standing with people in any office you work in. A bad tip from a previous employer may be just enough to cost you that new job opportunity.

To sum up, switching jobs in Bangladesh – while daunting – is sometimes necessary in order to achieve your maximum potential. You need to ask yourself if you are satisfied doing the work you do, and if the answer is no, you need to gather up the courage and look for a job that will make you happy. Determine what career you want to pursue and pick a job that best aligns with your expectations. It’s never too late to start over and change your career path, as long as you are heading in the right direction!

Visit BikroyJOBS today and choose from hundreds of job listings. There is sure to be a job offer that is perfect for you!