Resist the urge to move or make a decision on a new role, based on title alone and more importantly ask yourself the following questions, as starting point for successful and strategic career moves:
- Am I really ready for a next step and do I still have more to learn with growth options where I am? Have I done the work and mahi to demonstrate achievements and growth in this role to a new employer and more importantly, to myself?
- What is driving this desire to leave? (Intrinsic drivers are key to understand, so that you can really make good, well informed decisions).
- What have I really enjoyed in my current role and company and what do I want to ensure changes/What have I not enjoyed?
- What is important to reach my financial goals and recognise my contribution in terms of salary package? (Ensuring this is never the key driving factor, in isolation)
- What are the most important elements in terms of the role and organisation that will help me love my work and perform at a high level?
Job titles are so variable and whilst what you have on a CV may help transactional recruitment processes understand quickly what you have done, these should never be a key driver for your next role.
Eg: In one company you may be a business partner, in another an advisor and in another a manager. These are merely titles and getting hung up on a title versus the scope of the role, opportunity for personal growth and overall enjoyment will lead to disappointment and potentially poor choices.
Our Top Tips when considering a change in job/ company:
– Be prepared to move sideways for new challenges and personal growth
– Recognise that titles mean very little in the context of various organisations (often more about size, scale, breadth in roles)
– Find your own challenge and go seek out new opportunities for growth within your organisation
– Create your own value and profile by building strong relationships, doing high value work, communicating at a high level and sharing wins with humility
‘Titles mean very little in this day and age and in fact sometimes they make little sense outside of the organisation you work in, however often people become fixated on this being linked to their personal success and how others perceive them’.
When we are leading a search for client organisations we look at the following above titles:
– Size and scale / complexity of the organisations you have worked in
– Scope of your roles in these organisations and the breadth and depth these have involved
– Your commitment to learning and self-challenge/ growth and learning agility
– How you respond under pressure and demonstrate resilience
– How you contribute in a team and ability to influence
– Your EQ around areas for personal growth and development, how you navigate failures and how you then learn from tough experiences
We do all of this from a place of understanding around the organisations you have worked in, their size, scale, complexity and types of business, to really understand the level and ability to navigate and deliver in each setting.
Your career is important and every move takes you to the next so it should be taken with care and consideration and in partnership with good mentors and professional advisors, who can provide you with the right information, guidance and who will take care with your personal brand and how they represent you.
For advice or to discuss your next move (not based on titles or status but around growth and to achieve your personal life goals) reach out and let’s connect.