Change your job? Is this is the right time?

Is it time to change your job? The economy is getting better. Perhaps you are not enjoying your present job. Perhaps you are ready to advance in your career. Perhaps you want to transition to a new career path.

How do you know if you should change your job?

1. Wake up in the morning dreading to go to work? Maybe it is time to change your job.
2. Are you wishing for Friday on Monday? Maybe it is time to change your job.
3. Are your relationships with your coworkers toxic? Maybe it is time to change your job.
4. Do you hate the work you do? Maybe it is time to change your job.
5. Find yourself not challenged by the work? Maybe it is time to change your job.
6. Are you feeling under-appreciated by your boss? Maybe it is time to change your job.
7. Are your feelings about your job affecting your relationships with your family? Maybe it is time to change your job.
8. Do you want to try something new? Maybe it is time to change your job.

If the answer to many of these questions is yes, then you may want to change your job.

But before you do, let’s ask a few more questions.

1. How long have you been in your current role?
2. Do you have your resume stories prepared?
3. What are your success stories?

Does your resume look like you are job hopping?

If you have not been in your job for long, reassess if you should wait and build up more time on the job. Many employers are leery of hiring someone who has less than 2 years on the job. If your resume depicts a pattern of one or two years between jobs, this will eventually catch up with you. Many people made great moves into more responsible and better-paying jobs, until the economy went bust or employers started ignoring them as a job hopper.

Some people want to get out so badly, their performance starts to slip. While getting out can be a good idea, if your job performance slips, you won’t be able to note any credible contributions on your resume. You may want to try to turn things around before you jump ship.

Change your job? Be ready to make the move

I am a big believer in staying put until you have a plan. If you want to change your job, your resume should be ready. Perhaps you are thinking that you don’t need resumes anymore because you can apply online. Online applications that have no forethought or planning will not market you well. In addition, successful job seekers need a resume when they reach the interview stage.

A quality resume filled with accomplishments, robust with industry keywords, and one that proves you can do the job is just as valuable today as any time in the past. The process that goes into the resume development phase gives you the meat to use in your LinkedIn profile and in any other career marketing materials.

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