The Pre-Job Search Checklist: What to Evaluate Before Making a Move

Before embarking on a job search, it's crucial to pause and reflect on your motivations and current situation. This article explores the key considerations that should precede any job hunt, helping you make informed decisions about your career path. From understanding your reasons for change to navigating potentially difficult conversations with your current employer, we'll guide you through the essential steps to ensure your next career move is both necessary and beneficial.

Why Are You Considering a Change?

Before you begin searching for a new position, it's crucial to understand why you're looking to leave your current job. If there's an issue at your current employer that could potentially be fixed, it is your responsibility to address it first. Engaging in an open conversation with those who can help might save you from spending weeks and months in an interview process, only to discover that your current employer was unaware of your concerns and could have addressed them. 

Initiating a Conversation with Your Manager 

When candidates reach out to us, we always ask why they want to make a change. If the reason has never been discussed with their current manager or is potentially fixable, we encourage them to speak up. While it may feel uncomfortable to confront someone about an issue, or make yourself vulnerable by sharing concerns that might seem minor, it's essential to remember this: if it's important enough to make you consider changing jobs, it's important enough to discuss. 

Imagine this scenario: You haven't talked to your manager about what's bothering you, and instead, you reach out to a recruiter. You explain the reasons for wanting a change, such as a new management style, a cultural shift, or compensation concerns. The recruiter finds you some potential opportunities, and you go through a lengthy interview process, taking time off work and maintaining secrecy. The process feels stressful and uncomfortable. 

Eventually, you get an offer from another company with better pay and an appealing environment. When you go to resign, your current manager expresses surprise and regret. They offer to match the new salary, address your concerns, and even improve your benefits to keep you. You realize that if you had discussed these issues upfront, you might have avoided the whole process. 

Avoid the Counteroffer Dilemma 

Accepting a counteroffer from your current employer can often feel like a misstep that wastes your time, energy, and emotional investment. When you make the decision to start looking for a new job, only to end up accepting a counteroffer from your current employer, it may leave you questioning your initial motives. Did you genuinely want a new challenge, or were you just seeking validation? If you had initiated an open conversation with your manager early on, you could have avoided the entire back-and-forth, understanding clearly whether your concerns could be addressed or if a move was truly necessary. 

By discussing your concerns upfront, you give your employer a chance to address them directly. If they can't or won't make the changes you need, then you have the clarity to pursue new opportunities without hesitation. You won’t be left wondering if your manager could have resolved the issue if only they had known. Instead, you’ll embark on your job search with confidence, knowing that you are making the right move for your career. Additionally, having this conversation upfront makes the entire process more transparent. If your employer can’t make the necessary changes—perhaps due to organizational policies, budget constraints, or other factors—you won’t find yourself in a stressful, last-minute negotiation over a counteroffer. 

When you know there won't be a counteroffer to consider, you can fully commit to the opportunities ahead of you. This clarity allows you to evaluate new roles with a clear mind and prevents the awkwardness and unease that can come with rejecting a counteroffer and the potential fallout that might cause. 

In our next article, we'll explore the topic of counteroffers in depth: when they might be worth considering when they should be declined, and how to assess if they align with your long-term career goals. We'll dive into the potential pitfalls of accepting a counteroffer, the hidden costs to your professional reputation, and why it might make sense to stick with your decision to move on.