Every year business publications print surveys showing that those who are proactive career managers prosper at a much higher level than others. These surveys have consistently shown that during a typical 43 year career, one will earn 40% more by being proactive rather than reactive. They also demonstrate that active career management will result in a considerably higher level of job satisfaction. If you can make more money and be happier in your job, why are the majority of people still waiting to react to what their company does before they make a career change?

We are all busy doing our jobs, making business plans, marketing strategies, closing the deal, etc. but if you don’t take an active role in planning and managing your career, who will? It’s your life: 25% of it is spent at work and 100% of it is affected by your career. Every company is legally bound to their shareholders to do what is best for the company. You should be equally bound to do what is best for you and your family. When your agenda diverges from your firm’s, then you need to take responsibility for your own career. Start with a plan. Just like in college each semester you decided on what courses you where going to take so that at the end you would have a degree and a good prospect for making a living. Twice a year you need to take the time to look at your goals, assess your progress, and then evaluate and adjust your goals and plans.

When you begin a new job the learning curve is steep. You are challenged and are learning new things everyday. As time goes on with most jobs that curve flattens out and your job either expands, you are promoted, or you get bored. If you are taking the active role described in the preceding paragraph you will identify your situation and start making plans to remedy the situation.

In 25+ years as an executive recruiter, I have seen many people put themselves through psychological torture and waste a great deal of time when considering a job change. All of this can be avoided by taking the following steps:

Hearing about Job Opportunities

Always stay connected to your industry. Seminars, conferences, industry trade shows and associations are important. Keeping yourself known to some of the top recruiters with in your industry will be key. Most jobs today are not advertised so recruiters tend to be the best conduit. To have an ongoing relationship with recruiters requires a two-way benefit. He/she is looking for referrals while you are looking to be kept abreast to what is going on and be represented to particular positions that fit your parameters. You will want to let the recruiter know where you are in your career and what would interest you and at what level urgency you would have. You want to limit the recruiters you work with to those that specialize in your field.

Dealing With The Emotions

Now that you have determined that this is the appropriate time to make a job change you need to get a handle on the emotional side of changing jobs. Logically, the decision is fairly straightforward, yet the emotional side of the decision has many pit falls. That old axiom, "don't let your heart rule your mind" is much easier to say than do. Your current company has helped you progress professionally. You've made many friends, and you feel comfortable because you can handle the job well. Let's face it, it is natural to resist change and avoid disruption, and your present employment is no exception. Changing jobs is considered to be almost as stressful as divorce or losing a body part. Dealing proactively with emotional issues will save you tremendous stress, possible embarrassment and make you look and be more decisive. Ask your spouse and/or others that will be effected. It is much better to anticipate problems rather then later when it maybe too late or embarrassing professionally to withdrawal from the process.

Resignation

It's up to you to end your relationship as professionally as you began it. Write a letter that expresses your thanks for the opportunity they extended and tell them you enjoyed your relationship, but that your decision has been well thought out and is final. Put it in your own words and either mail it personally or hand it to your immediate supervisor. Be pleasant but firm. The counter-offer is a standard business practice. It can be a very flattering experience: your emotions may be swayed, you may lose your objectivity, you are going to be tempted to stay. "Buyer's remorse" will set in - that apprehension of change will urge you to reconsider your decision. As a professional, your career decisions must be made objectively.

The counter offer is specifically designed to play on these emotions. It is flattering but it's beset with pitfalls too numerous to risk, and let me sight some of them.

• Political resentment is likely to be created at various levels with in the organization.
  

• Salary is out of range so that you will not receive raises or will be targeted for a lay-off in the next recession.
  

• Your loyalty is now suspect and will limit any future career advancements.
  

• They are making promises to buy time for them to hire your replacement.
  

• You’re caving into short-term pressure but the initial reason you wanted the other position still exist.
  
  
  

For your sake logic must prevail over emotions. That is why you met with your boss before you ever went outside of the company to look for a position. That is why you carefully wrote down your reasons both logical and emotional so that you would not lose your objectivity. Ask yourself this question: If I where unemployed and had these two jobs (My current position or the one that I have been offered) offered to me which one would make the best sense? Comfort zones, familiarity, fear of the unknown are inhibitors, not reasons.

Best of luck with your continued career growth, but remember that luck is created by planed goals and the willingness to make changes. No one ever made a difference without making a change.

Career Management

The Hanover Consulting Group

1. Think through where you want this process to take you. Successful people begin with the end in mind. They are             motivated by long term progression toward set goals, not by emotional tiffs that will fade.                                             

2. Meet with your boss and listen to what he/she has in mind for your future. Get an understanding of the time line              that these steps might follow. This may be pleasantly surprising and enable you to throw yourself back into your             current job with renewed vigor. Otherwise you will have your concerns validated and be able to accept a new                  opportunity without second  guessing yourself or falling into the counter offer trap.

3. The following are the most common factors for job satisfaction: Job Content/Challenge, Geographic Location,                 Career Advancement, Income and Potential, Style of Management. Put these into order of importance and add any        others that are meaningful to you. Then use this to evaluate job opportunities as you hear about them.

Executive Search for the Financial Service Industries