jsync | Java Staffing Specialist

Red Flags - When Is It Time To Move On?

06/06/2007

by Dave Fecak

The decision to seek new employment opportunities is usually one that is triggered by a specific event. Many of us have had the experience of a lower-than-expected pay raise, a change in technical direction (going to .Net?), or a management overhaul that caused an immediate reaction to brush the dust off of the resume and start the job search process. For others that major event never happens, so they just continue in their jobs and may not give much thought to how their current job will impact their long term career goals.

For those of you who have been simply maintaining the status quo and doing your job without really thinking about the future, here are some red flags and signs that you may want to start seriously thinking about a move.

1. Are we keeping up with the Joneses? Every so often, it is probably wise to do some research into what other companies are paying for people with your experience and skill set. Comparing notes with the person in the next cube is only helpful if there are significant discrepancies within the organization. The trend of underpaying employees tends to be a corporate-wide (or at least department-wide) epidemic, so chances are all your neighbors are infected as well. Find a good source of information outside the company, like a former co-worker or websites and surveys specific to your geography and skills. Or simply ask me – I’ll be happy to tell you what you’re worth or send you our salary survey results.
2. Stuck in the mud? Some developers find themselves on the same project with the same people and same technologies for very long periods of time. While this may make you a master of a specific piece of technology, it probably hurts your marketability and could stunt your long term growth. Variety in project technologies and personnel is not only essential to your mental health and in keeping the job fun, but it is also crucial to what your career options will be in the future.
3. Am I top dog? It’s a great feeling to be the best Java pro at your company. People come to you for answers and your sense of self-worth and importance are great for the ego, not to mention the fact that your job security is solid. But as the ‘top dog’, who are you going to learn from? Being Michael Jordan must be awesome, but until you actually are Michael Jordan, the next best thing would be playing on his team and learning his moves.
4. Room at the top? After working for the same company for several years, you may notice that you’ve reached your full potential there and have nowhere to grow. Maybe your company does not make a habit of promoting from within, or even worse, maybe they just don’t make a habit of promoting you. If you’re a big fish, it might make sense to seek out a bigger aquarium.
5. Revolving doors? Do you find yourself constantly being introduced to new hires that are backfilling the jobs of your former co-workers? Perhaps there is a fire and you are simply the last one to smell the smoke. When a company has problems, employees’ feet do the talking and the walking – if the carpet is worn near the exit door you may want to pay closer attention.

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