Changes in the job we hold, whether for better or for worse, are many times considered by our societal standards as weaknesses – or else an inadequacy in settling down. However, many times, such changes – when undertaken wisely and following careful consideration – form a valuable array of tools to help you improve your job position and push your career forward, and higher, up the corporate ladder.
What to consider when changing jobs
Some changes are more difficult than others. Some changes entail a high payback cost. Some changes require more preparation than others. If you are planning on a successful long-lasting career, with space to grow and improve, there are various issues you are to take into careful consideration. Within this article, we will be discussing the most important two: the type of industry you choose to enter, and the type of you help you should get.
If you take a good look around, you cannot help but notice that there are various industries that spread out in different lines of business. Each line of business represents a possible career opportunity. To this effect, such industries are worth taking a careful look at.
As an example, let us take a close look at the tourism industry – one of the most important business drivers in the Maltese Islands. Various businesses, fall under this industry, including hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, airline companies, transport companies, etc. Each individual business represents a possible source of career opportunity. The higher the position, the more the opportunities.
A recent graduate, starting out his/her career within a hotel, has the opportunity of learning the accommodation and receiving aspect of tourism. Whilst a lifetime career within the hotel industry is possible, many have followed this path; you are not restricted to only this job. Many career-oriented people use their first position as the stepping-stone to better career opportunities.
Whilst here you can undertake training courses, obtain higher academic qualifications, and establish the ever important network of contacts. Your next position within the tourism industry will find you more experienced, more prepared and better qualified.
If you’re wondering what type of position can allow such manoeuvrability – well, there are various. Looking at the tourism industry, one can look at operations as a possible career opportunity. Starting from a hotel one can learn the basics of running a hotel. The next step could be moving on to a larger hotel, or maybe even out of the hotel business, and, into a handling agent (i.e. an incoming travel agency). Once here, the newly arrived would be experienced within the aspect of accommodating tourists and, hence, be better able to deal with the operation of the present handling agent.
The wider the experience, the more possibilities of advancing in your career. However, this does not mean you should change your current position the instant an opportunity arises. Take careful decisions, and only after having evaluated the possibilities thoroughly. Don’t leave a position until you have obtained a certain level of experience and knowledge. Doing so equals to having gained nothing from your stay in that job it would simply have been a waste of time.
What do you bring to the table?
When you are being evaluated by a possible future employer during an interview, such employer will want to know what you can bring to the company, such as experience, knowledge, fresh ideas, exposure to certain aspects of that industry. These can only be obtained depending on the way you have handled you previous positions.
During your tenure, befriending a more senior person is always helpful. Such people, have ample experience in their respective industries, and are always a good source of advice or otherwise helpful information. Sometimes even gossip can be an aid, such as mergers of companies within your line of business, take-overs or some sort of soon-to-be-vacant position.
The importance of training
Training is of adamant importance. Never stop improving yourself. Training courses, seminars, conferences, literature, subscriptions to journals, etc. All these sources of information are to be used to their maximum extent in extracting any knowledge that can be useful to your learning process. We all have one…and it never ends!
The second issue mentioned above, is the type of help you should get. Whilst contacts are very important in any industry and career, it is advisable to back this up with professional counselling, from people who are fully informed of your experience, qualifications and career objectives.
If you will be turning to “professional assistance”, make sure you do just that. Before putting your career in the hands of a service company, such as a human resources consultancy or a recruitment service company, make sure that such people have the experience and knowledge on how to help you. Talking with people within your line of business is always helpful. However, such professional recruitment consultants are often aware of opportunities within other sectors. They are also able to take a good detailed look at the whole picture.
On the other hand, people within your line of business, might not only have been through a similar situation in the past, but also have been around the block enough times to guide you along the first steps that are best undertaken.
If you refer to anyone – whoever or whatever this might be – make sure of one thing. That the person or organisation you are going to refer to has the necessary experience and knowledge.
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