Reasons Why People Change Jobs

Changing jobs is a fact of life in society today. It’s no longer an uncommon practice like it might have been in times gone by. If you’re thinking about changing your job, you might be curious about how often other people change jobs. Understanding this can give you some perspective on your own situation.

However, you should know that there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. For example, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, people hold an average of 12.4 jobs from the ages of 18 to 54. However, nearly half of those jobs are usually held before the age of 25. This highlights that people tend to change jobs more often when they’re younger.

Keeping this in mind, the following is a more in-depth look into what to consider if you’re thinking about changing jobs.

Key Takeaways:

• Job changes are common today, with people holding an average of 12.4 jobs between the ages of 18 to 54, often changing more frequently when younger.
• Primary reasons for changing jobs include seeking new challenges, needing a bigger paycheck, and wanting recognition and opportunities for growth.
• Changing jobs can boost your career by developing new skills, providing growth potential, and potentially leading to financial growth.
• Before changing jobs, it’s important to ask yourself what you want to do, assess if you’re a competitive candidate for the role, and understand the steps needed to successfully land the job.
• Consider factors like location, financial impact, and family impact when thinking about changing jobs.
• Changing jobs is different from changing careers; the former involves staying in the same field, while the latter involves switching fields entirely.
• To maximize the benefits of a job change, become a lifelong learner, obtain certifications in your new field, develop soft skills, and find a good mentor.
• Pursuing the right job involves careful consideration of all factors, and support services like those from O2 Employment can help in navigating a job or career change.

The Reasons Why People Change Jobs

There are lots of reasons why you may want a new job, even if you already have a great job. The following are a few primary reasons why people often decide to switch jobs:

• Looking for a new challenge: Some people become bored with their job after a while. If you are no longer feeling challenged or motivated at work, it might be time for a change.
  After all, if you’re not motivated, it can affect your productivity and efficiency, and therefore how well you can do your job. Additionally, many people want a job they enjoy and feel good about. So, if you’re no longer finding enjoyment in your work, it might be time to look for something new.
• Needing a bigger paycheck: It’s no secret that money is often a significant factor in people’s career choice. If you’re not earning enough money, it can be tough to make ends meet, especially if you have a family to support.
  People will often begin looking for a new job if their current position doesn’t pay enough, especially if they’ve been denied a salary increase request.
• Wanting recognition: Many people want to feel appreciated at work. If you’re not feeling recognized or valued, it can be frustrating. Additionally, anyone who feels like they’re not getting the opportunities to grow or advance in their career might begin to look elsewhere.

Can Changing Jobs Boost Your Career?

In some cases, changing jobs can help to boost your career. For example, if you’re not feeling challenged in your current role, a new job might help you to develop new skills and knowledge.

Additionally, it can be difficult to advance if you’re not getting any recognition in your current position. Therefore, you might want a job where you feel you have more potential for growth. Finally, it’s worth noting that switching to a job that boosts your career is also more likely to result in faster growth financially.

In the end, changing jobs only makes sense if you create value for yourself. If you’re thinking about changing jobs, it’s vital to ensure that you’re doing it for the right reasons. Simply put, you shouldn’t change jobs just to change jobs. Instead, there should be a clear reason why it would benefit you to make the switch.

Questions To Ask Yourself Before Changing Jobs

Suppose you have the opportunity to switch jobs. In that case, you should be sure to ask yourself the following questions before deciding to do so:

• What do I actually want to do?
  It can be easy to get caught up in the idea of changing jobs without thinking about what you actually want to do. Before leaving a job, you should clearly know what you want in your next job before making the switch. Otherwise, you may end up in a situation that is even worse than your current one.For example, if you’re currently in a job that you don’t like but that pays well, you might be tempted to take a lower-paying job you think you’ll enjoy more. However, if you don’t like the new job, you will be in the same position as before, but worse off financially.
• Will I be a competitive candidate for the role?
  You must be realistic when considering whether you’ll be a competitive candidate for the role you’re interested in. You might not get an interview if you’re not qualified or lack the necessary experience.In some cases, it might make sense to stay in your current job and gain the required experience before switching to a different job.
• What would I need to do to successfully land the job?
  Once you’ve decided that you’re interested in a particular job, think about the steps you’ll need to take to successfully land the job. For example, you might need to update your resume or hone your interview skills. Be prepared before making a switch to increase your chances of success.

Factors To Consider When Changing Jobs

Besides asking yourself the previous questions and using the learning quotient quadrant, there are other factors you should consider when changing jobs. These include:

• Location: One factor to consider when changing jobs is your location. You might want to stay in the same city or move to a new one. Consider your current situation and whether you’re happy with it. If you’re not satisfied, a change of scenery might be just what you need.
• Financial impact: Another factor to consider is the economic impact of changing jobs. You’ll need to consider whether the new job will pay more or less than your current one. You should also consider any other financial impacts, such as relocating costs.
• Family impact: You should consider how your current position affects your family. As work has a large role in our lives, if it makes you unhappy most of the time, this could negatively impact your family. It’s important to consider whether changing jobs would improve the situation.
• More specific reasons for changing jobs: Of course, there are many other specific reasons why you might want to change jobs. Maybe you don’t like the people you’re working with, or perhaps you want an alternative work schedule to improve your work-life balance. You should consider all the pros and cons of switching jobs.

Changing Jobs Versus Changing Careers: What’s The Difference?

When considering the factors for changing jobs, it’s important to note that there’s a big difference between changing jobs and changing careers. When you change jobs, you usually stay in the same field. For example, if you’re a software engineer, you might switch jobs from one company to another. But you would still be a software engineer.

When you change careers, you usually switch fields entirely. For example, going from a job as a copywriter to a job as a software developer. Doing so would be considered a career change. There are a few key differences between changing jobs and changing careers:

• Skills: When you change jobs, you usually don’t need to learn many new skills. But when you change careers, there is often a steep learning curve and you will likely need to learn many new skills.
• Time commitment: Changing jobs usually doesn’t take very long. You can generally find a new job within a few months. But changing careers can take much longer. It can sometimes take years to develop the necessary skills and experience. Not to mention that some careers might require you to return to study.
• Risk: Changing jobs usually isn’t very risky because you’re continuing down your chosen career path, gathering experience and improving your skills. However, changing careers can be a big risk since you can’t rely on your past work experience and may have to learn new skills.If you’re not successful, you might have to start over entirely. Changing careers is a much bigger decision than changing jobs. It’s why people don’t switch careers nearly as often as they change jobs.

Different Ways To Get The Most Out Of Your Job Change

If you decide to change jobs, there are a few different ways to get the most from your change – whether you’re just switching jobs or changing careers. Here are a few tips:

• Become a lifelong learner: One way to get the most from your change is to become a lifelong learner. Doing so means that you’re always learning and growing, both in your current job and future ones. As a lifelong learner, you can stay ahead of the curve and be more successful in your field.
• Get certifications in your new field: Another way to get the most from your job change is to obtain certifications in your new field. Doing so can help you stand out from your competition and show employers that you’re serious about your new career.Even if you’re just switching jobs but staying in the same field, getting additional certifications can help you advance your career.
• Develop your soft skills: Besides hard skills, it’s also important to develop soft skills. Soft skills refer to the personal qualities that make you a good employee, such as communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. These skills are essential in any job, so it’s a good idea to work on them regardless of whether you’re changing jobs or careers.
• Find a good mentor: A good mentor can help you in your new job or career. They can help you learn the ropes, find the right opportunities, and advance in your field. It’s a good idea to find a mentor before making a change, so you have someone to check in with and make sure you’re on the right track.

Pursue The Right Job For You

Changing jobs isn’t something to be taken lightly. Be sure to carefully consider all the pros and cons before making a decision. If you do decide to change jobs, be sure to pursue the right one for you.

Here at O2 Employment, we can help you with a job or career change by providing you with expert career advice and guidance. We can also help you find the right job for you and prepare you for success in your new career.