Most workers recognize that it's time to leave a job when things start going badly. However, few people think to make a career move when things are going well. In sports, this is referred to as leaving at the top of your game. In business, it means you may have to leave a job you like to find your best opportunity to succeed.
Heather Morse, Director of Marketing at Greenberg Glusker, wrote a tribute to her former law firm on her last day of work at Barger & Wolen LLP. Morse believes her 7 1/2 years with Barger & Wolen shaped her future in ways she never imagined when she started there in 2007. As she made her career move, Morse noted it was time to leave due to a need to grow before she became a liability. Knowing to leave a job while you're still on good terms comes with experience and judgement.
Morse notes that legal marketers usually spend between two and four years at one particular firm. If you stay more than twice as long as the normal turnover rate, a mutual appreciation occurs – you like your position enough to stay and your boss feels you are an asset. This happens due, in part, to deep and honest relationships with your co-workers. You may not feel any pressure to leave a job since you value the people around you, and they, in turn, respect your opinions, leadership and skills.
A good company lets you get work done on your own terms with respect to the entire team. Everyone at the firm shares the goals of making money while taking care of customers. So long as all employees are making worthwhile contributions, that end is more important than any competition between departments and individuals. When you have meaningful relationships at the office, the team trusts you to do your job well.
Collaboration is one key to growing in your current position. If the rest of the office seems combative and others simply refuse to listen to your ideas, you have the choice to stay until the office's culture changes or go where you feel respected. Morse was fortunate and got to leave a job after she already earned the respect of her colleagues. This made her transition to another company easier.
To find success, know when to leave a job once a better opportunity presents itself. Hopefully, your employer rewards taking extra training, attending trade conferences and capitalizing on leadership opportunities with promotions or raises. However, if you feel that your skills are not improving in your current position, consider moving on, even if you love your job.
When you leave a job, it tugs at your emotions no matter what. Changing jobs is stressful, challenging, exhilarating and exciting all at once. Making a move after a long tenure can help advance your career, but it is often a bittersweet transition due to fond memories.
Photo courtesy of stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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