One of the most important things when finding a job is to find a job that you enjoy and a job that offers opportunity for progression.
However, we speak to a lot of candidates who feel like they are stuck in a company where the only way to get on in their careers is to get out of their current company and look for a new opportunity.
Unfortunately, if you don’t grab the bull by the horns and do anything about it, it can have a negative impact on your enthusiasm, passion and drive, which can in turn lead to a lack confidence. To help you identify if this is the case for you, we thought we would share some typical tell-tale signs we hear when speaking to candidates looking to move on…
Your skills and experience are not being utilised
Do you feel like you have more to offer in the way of ideas and skills, but your manager or seniors don’t offer you the opportunity to show and prove yourself? No doubt this frustrates you and over time that frustration can lead to you feeling less engaged, which will only help to make you feel less valued and could quite easily knock your confidence.
If you haven’t raised the fact that you want to step up or have more of an input into projects, then make sure you do. Giving your manager the benefit of the doubt, maybe they haven’t approached you because you haven’t shown a desire to step up.
However, if you have raised this issue and it was met with negativity or a lack of interest then we suggest that you start looking at other opportunities with a business that will value you and utilise your skills and ambition.
Your manager doesn’t support or care about your career
Ever get the feeling that your manager isn’t interested in your career? Well if you do then just like the first point, raise your concern and ask “what the next step in the business is for you and how do I achieve it.” If your enquiry is met with a lack of enthusiasm or a weak or even negative response, then sadly it could be down to the fact that either your manager isn’t interested in your career or there just isn’t anywhere else for you to move up to.
Just like the first point, don’t let this get you down. You just need to take control of the situation and explore your options. We can safely say that we work with a lot of great clients who are always interested in hearing about skilled and experienced professionals who are looking for a new role. So get in touch and let’s get you a job where you can thrive, develop and progress!
You’re not challenged
Do you feel like you aren’t being stretched in your job or even worse you’re bored? If so then this can again have a negative impact on your enthusiasm and passion for what you’re doing and will likely mean your quality of work suffers.
We suggest that before you come to the conclusion that you need to look at moving, try and see if you can take on more responsibility. This will obviously look good, as your employer will see that you are driven. If you have done this and there just isn’t anything else you can do to help the of not being challenged then maybe it really is just time to look at at other opportunities.
No change in title or salary
Has it been a long time since you have seen or even heard talk of a pay rise or promotion? Now we don’t have figures on when and how often the average construction professional receives a pay increase or promotion, but we will say that if it’s been over a two years since your last pay rise then you need to start looking into why.
Asking too frequently can look greedy and like you’re only interested in one thing… money. However, we know there is a direct link to how valued an employee feels by the salary they are paid. Before you start looking for a new role that is better paid, make sure you have asked your employer for a salary and performance review. If the result is still no increase or promotion opportunity, with no reason as to why or how you can achieve this, then we suggest it’s time to start looking for other opportunities.
Attempts to improve your job is met with negativity
Similar to the third point, have you tried to develop your role within your business but when you have done so, it’s met with a wall of negativity and obstructions? Well, don’t get yourself down, think positively, as you have made a concerted effort to better yourself and role. But maybe it’s time to take your enthusiasm and drive to a new employer that will allow you to develop and progress your career.
Looking for a new job?
We have a huge number of great opportunities with great employers across the construction, civils, rail, power and telecoms sectors. Search our current construction jobs, civils jobs, rail jobs, power jobs and telecoms jobs.
Get in touch with our recruitment specialists
If you are keen to discuss your current situation and want to find out how we can help you make your next career step then get in touch with our team of recruitment experts. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you and your career progress.
