February is a month where many a New Year’s resolution starts to fade away. Where the excitement around realising it begins to wane as the reality of the hard work involved, and how to effectively go about achieving your goal or ambition sets in.
Like many project managers we connect with, you may have started the year with a clear intention to find a new role, step up in your career or look for an opportunity with a new company. That means right now you might also be struggling with the best way to put that plan into action.
The first step is getting clear on exactly why you are wanting a change. Understanding what is really motivating you and what your ideal job or situation looks like, is the key to getting the process started.
We consistently see one of three factors underpinning this decision for project managers. Knowing which is influencing you will help kick your New Year’s resolution into action and ensure your next move is the right one.
Take a moment to consider the three areas below and see which is driving your desire for a change on the job front this year:
Work/Life Balance
A change in personal circumstances such as an increasing need for flexibility in their work environment is amongst the top reasons we see project managers leave their current role. For some, it’s the need to find a better balance between the long hours and all-encompassing nature of project work and the demands of raising a young family. They simply need more flexibility and time at home. For others, it can be the downsides of a FIFO roster taking their toll or the need for greater job security prompting a desire to explore a permanent role. Getting clear on how your next role needs to work in with your life as a whole is crucial.
Culture
It is often said that a person doesn’t leave their job, they leave their manager. Team and company culture play a major role in job satisfaction. They are also among the top reason we see job seekers leave their current position. Issues around culture can be as clear as constantly operating in a high-stress environment where burn out is ever-present and reward or recognition are rare, to feeling the level of flexibility within the role or company no longer suits your personal requirements. Understanding what your non-negotiable points are when it comes to culture will also help inform your next move.
Career Progression
Another key reason we see project managers seeking a change is a lack of career progression available in their current situation. Here, it is common to see people explore contract roles that offer the ability to quickly acquire skills and experience they may be lacking in order to secure their ideal job in the longer-term. Contract roles also offer a greater level of flexibility and additional benefits including higher rates, more time on-site and less involvement in office politics, which can be very appealing.
In almost every case, we find it is the intangible factors – the impact of company culture, the desire for greater work/life balance or the need to find a role that better suits your personal circumstances that underpin the decision to start looking for your next opportunity. Getting clear on what is driving you is the best way to kick your New Year’s resolution into action and get moving in the right direction.
