7 Things You Need to Know When Switching Jobs

Summary: Before you cut loose from your current steady job, weigh in on these 7 things you should know when switching jobs.

Are you sick of your current job? Do you want better pay? Different hours?

There are many reasons for switching jobs. Most of us are looking to change or improve something in our professional lives, but before you take the plunge into a new company and give up what you know so well, think about these seven things you need to know when switching jobs. Make sure you will get what you are looking for without giving up too much of what you already have.

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1) Company Culture

Whether you crave an open-ended work day, or prefer more structure, you should know how your new company operates. Choose a company with a culture that will allow you to thrive, or you may find yourself looking for another change sooner than you expected.

2) Commute

A long commute may not bother you, or it could be the daily hell that drives you to an early heart attack. Calculate the mileage against your vehicle’s fuel economy. Does an extended commute negate any value of a potential raise, both in personal time and actual cost? A shorter commute or carpool options might be the perfect reason for a change in scenery, even if there is not a huge raise associated.

3) Benefits

Pay, hours, and everything else being equal, are the benefits at least as good and affordable as the ones you currently have? When switching jobs, it is a good idea to know whether your health insurance premiums will go up and if you will get comparable coverage. Does the new company offer a 401k with contribution matching? What about paid time off? Make sure you will be satisfied with any trade offs compared to your current job.

4) Pay

Probably the most common reason for switching jobs is to increase your income. You probably should not bring up pay during your first interview, but it is something you will want to have negotiated at your new job before turning in a notice at your current job. Also ask about the company’s raise policy and research wage trends online.

5) Longevity

Six months down the road, you won’t want to find yourself unemployed, so make sure there is at least a reasonable certainty that your new job will exist as long as you plan to be in it. Look at market trends. Find out if the company tends to go through hire-fire cycles. Is the company a recent start up or an established market leader?

6) Your Real Reason for Getting a New Job

You are going to have to be honest with yourself here. Are you switching jobs with positive intentions, such as trying to advance your career into a new management position such as this one? Or are you just sick of where you work? Especially if your new job is similar to your current job, once the newness wears off, you are likely to find yourself in the same position. Change jobs for the right reasons, or find ways to fix your issues first.

7) The Social Consequences

We generally spend over one-third of our waking day at work, so, like it or not, your co-workers are a big part of your social life. Are there people you will miss? Will you have to move out of the area and away from your friends? Are you good at making new friends, or will it take some time to develop a new social circle?

All of these considerations factor into your overall well-being and happiness. Weigh these 7 things carefully when planning to change jobs. Hopefully, you find the benefits far outweigh the negatives. If so, congratulations on your new job and the new life it brings!