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January 02, 2006

The January Rush

January is always a busy time for professional resume writers. As people return to work after the holiday and prepare to start a brand new year, many decide that now is the time to make a change.

If you're in this situation, I congratulate you on making the decision to change your situation - no one should stay in a job that makes them unhappy - but I ask you to do more than simply look for another job. Because if you don't take the time to plan and prepare for your job search, you could move to another company only to find yourself in the same situation next January.

So, if you're unhappy at work, ask yourself why. Is it the work? Is it your boss? Is it the company? Is it the industry? And when you have identified the cause(s) of your unhappiness, dig deeper. What is it about the company's management that is driving you crazy? And how can you assess potential employers in light of this knowledge?

One recent client was leaving her job as an executive assistant because she was tired of trying to work around problems caused by outdated computers and software. Management would not pay for replacements and her workday was increasingly filled with tech-related problems. Therefore, as she interviewed with other organizations, she made a point of looking at the computers and asking questions about the software they used.

Making the commitment to escape a job that makes you unhappy is a great first step. But take the time to be sure that you're running towards something that will make you happy rather than away from something you don't like.

Posted by Louise at January 2, 2006 09:09 AM