You've been in a dead-end job for
months, or even years now, yet you can't seem to
gather up the courage to look for a new job. Or
your company announced there will be a series of
layoffs coming this year and you don't know if
you're going to be affected. Is that enough to
make you start job hunting? If not, then you
could be considered a job search procrastinator.
Prepare for Layoffs
"I'm comfortable where I'm at." This is one of
the more common scenarios when someone doesn't
want to look for a new job even when critical
situations arise. I'm talking about those who go
down with a sinking ship. The ship being the
company for which they're employed, of course.
If your company announces upcoming layoffs, that
means the company is in trouble. Possibly not in
fear of bankruptcy but it's not doing as well as
planned or expected. You know heads are going to
roll but you don't know if yours is going to be one of them.
I've known people who have stuck it out till the
very end. And where does that leave them? Without
a job. and scrambling. Even if you are offered a
severance package, it might not be enough to support you and your family.
Something that employees have to realize is that
when this situation occurs, you can't be too
confident about your place in a company. You have
to weigh the risks involved with sticking it out.
Yes, you want to be loyal to your company.when
possible. But don't let that loyalty blind you to
the fact that you could very well be out of a job soon.
Going Nowhere Fast
You're educated, a hard worker with high work
ethics and you do your job well. So why are you
in the same position you've been in since you were hired?
For many people, this is not a problem. They
crave that 'sameness'. It provides comfort
knowing what to expect each and every day. They
don't want something new and 'better'. They're happy where they are.
However, there are others who don't look for jobs
out of fear. Fear of change. They want something
more, new and different but they're not getting
the opportunity with the company they're at.
But at the same time, they realize they have a
good stable job. Why mess up a good thing?
Taking the Initiative
If you find yourself in either of these
situations, you have to look at the pros and cons
of looking for another job. What's the worst
thing that can happen if you stay? Conversely,
what's the worst thing that can happen if you
find another job? Are there greater benefits of
starting to look around to see what other companies have to offer you?
No one can answer these questions for you. Each
job seeker's situation is different and everyone
has different responsibilities and goals. Take
time to explore the reasons behind your job
search procrastination. Maybe it's to save you
from yourself and from reacting too quickly. Or
maybe it's holding you back from reaching your full career potential.
About the Author:
Heather Eagar is a former professional resume
writer who is now dedicated to providing job
seekers with resources and products that promote
job search success from beginning to end. For
resume service reviews, interview and job search
advice, go to http://www.ResumeLines.com
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