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Imagine you see an interesting job advertisement or are approached by a headhunter.
You are magically attracted by the stimulus to learn something new, to be given more responsibility or simply the desire for change.
You are conducting an interview.
The conversation is going well.
And as soon as you receive a job offer, your need for security gains the upper hand and doubts arise: Can I risk giving up a job that has not been quit and taking the risk of a trial period termination with the new employer?
What then?
Do I have to expect a longer period of unemployment?
Every change needs to be carefully considered
Opportunities and risks need to be carefully weighed up. For once, let's start with the risks. Many people currently shy away from giving up a permanent and permanent employment relationship without a valid reason. This caution is warranted for two reasons.
When applying, you can hardly look behind the scenes so deeply that you can objectively assess the potential employer's economic situation. You should therefore also use the interview to ask questions about the company's economic situation yourself. How has the company got through the crisis so far? Have you already had major restructuring and cost adjustments? Or has the company even benefited from the crisis and therefore wants to hire additional employees? How long will this trend last? Ask how your interlocutors assess the market development. Compare the forecast with relevant industry information. Is that correct or are they trying to give you an unrealistically optimistic outlook?
The BA-X job index of the Federal Employment Agency, which reflects the reported vacancies, was seasonally adjusted in April 2021 by 27 percentage points below the value of April 2019. Of course, this does not apply equally to all sub-areas of the labor market.
However, it is an indicator of a significant change in the labor market situation.
This is why you can currently find fewer vacancies on the job exchanges than you did two years ago.
In addition, more and more people have lost their jobs due to job cuts in many companies and are now competing for the few vacancies.
For these reasons, you currently have to reckon with a significantly longer search for a new job if you accidentally lose your job.
Reflect on your own motives
On the other hand, in addition to the risks mentioned above, there are also some arguments in favor of a change. We have apparently bottomed out in the economy. The job market is picking up a little. The corona easing is promoting economic and cultural resurrection and bringing back optimism. The markets are picking up again and vacancies that have not yet been filled are being advertised again.
Before you switch, however, you should reflect on your own motives. Make a personal assessment - honestly and self-critically. What exactly is the driver behind your desire for change? Do you still identify with your company or has your loyalty to top management and your manager been damaged during the crisis? Maybe because the management behaved unsocially or irresponsibly? Then it will be difficult for you in the future to motivate yourself and to get involved in the company's goals. The same applies if the cooperation in the team has suffered stress caused by Corona and a loss of contact in the home office has led to a lasting deterioration. Check for yourselfwhether an open discussion could help or whether there is absolutely no hope of improvement.
Do you still have fun at work?
Now comes the hardest part of determining where you are.
Take a look at yourself: Do you still have a clear professional goal in mind?
Why did you originally choose this job?
Do you still enjoy the nature of your tasks?
Do you feel like you are creating real added value and doing something useful?
Are you doing what you do best?
Does your job match your talents?
Do you want to and can you still learn and develop something in the current task?
Weight the individual points according to your personal standards.
What is the resulting picture?
If your personal assessment of the situation is predominantly negative, you should set yourself a new goal, muster all your courage, check the risks discussed above and start a change. Perhaps your position assessment also gives a mixed picture. That's okay. Some people need some time to embrace a change. In this case, my recommendation is that you pay close attention to yourself and the development at your employer. Also keep an eye on the job postings. At the right time, you will be ready to make decisions and be able to act.