Is Now The Right Time To Look For A New Job?

For the last year it has been difficult to find top talent who are looking to make a move from one employer to another. Recruiters have tried desperately to assure potential candidates that it is safe to make a move. Employers have gone to great lengths to attract people. There are exceptions, but most people have had the “hold on for dear life” philosophy when it comes to work. Why put your toe in the waters of another company when you have a secure job and the inside insight on how secure your job is and banked benefits you can rely on?

That philosophy was solid. There are only a few exceptions where that did not hold true. First, if another opportunity materialized that had significant advantages for the person’s career and/or financial trajectory. As the long as the opportunity didn’t seem too good to be true, the risk of taking a step toward a brighter future made sense. If it was a purely financial gain, the move made less sense as there was still a risk the new company could do layoffs shortly after the person’s arrival. That would mean a solid job was lost for a very short-term gain. For some, that gain was enticement enough to justify the risk. If the new position helped the person to make a solid step forward in title or responsibility or it allowed someone to jump from one discipline to a more sought after discipline (e.g. from line employee to management), then the position, if even it proved to be short-lived, would bolster the resume and make sense. But in both situations, there was a risk that a replacement position would not be available so people had to really consider the risk.


The days are changing now and not just because of the weather. The worst of the recession is over by almost every economist’s analysis and some industries and companies are starting to hire again. Hiring isn’t growing at rapid rates, but there is movement. So, is it time to make a move? The short answer is yes. It is time to start coming out from our security positions to see what may make sense for us in the recovering economy. If making a move makes sense, it makes sense to start looking now. This is particularly true for upper level managers and professionals whose job search will generally take six months or more. In six months (April or May) hiring should be at a solid pace and layoffs should be a memory. It will be a perfect time to look for new opportunities in potentially greener pastures. So, if a move sounds enticing, get started now. Reflect, prepare and keep your eyes open. Your timing is perfect.