New year, new job?

You should change jobs if...

Created: 12/27/2022, 7:30 am

January makes everything new: The turn of the year can be a good time to look for another job.

You should note that.

Every new year usually begins with new resolutions.

This can be related to diet or exercise habits, but also to a career change.

Especially at the turn of the year, it makes sense to honestly reflect on the past career year: Does my job still fulfill me?

Am I being paid fairly?

Has the time come to look around for something new?

Questions upon questions to keep you busy over the Christmas holidays.

New workplace: why now is the best time for a change of scenery

Anyone who is constantly frustrated at work should perhaps consider a change © Westend61 / IMAGO

The good news is that there is a lot going on in the job market at the beginning of the year.

The reason for this is very simple: Employees quit most often after December so that they can still receive their Christmas bonus beforehand.

So if you decide to change jobs, you will find plenty of advertised positions.

Unfortunately, this does not necessarily mean that the new job is already secured.

Because more movement on the labor market automatically means more competition.

"Basically, the times when everyone tries are the worst," explains career coach Marin Wehrle in an interview with SWR.

Nevertheless, it is good for most people to bring a breath of fresh air into their (professional) life with the new year.

In principle, you should of course look around for a new position if you consider it necessary.

New Job: How Do I Know I'm Ready for a Change?

Regardless of where you work, there will always be things that bother you.

Maybe your boss likes to stress you out or you have to commute an hour to work.

Therefore, make the decision to change jobs only after careful consideration.

The best thing to do is make a pros and cons list.

This way you have an objective overview of the advantages and disadvantages of your current work.

This exercise can also help: Imagine that you will still be doing your current job five years from now.

How does that thought make you feel?

If everything in you resists it, you have your answer.

Another indication of this can be your physical and mental condition.

It is quite normal that the job is not always fun and sometimes presents you with greater challenges.

On the other hand, it should not be normal to sink exhausted and frustrated on the sofa every evening.

If you're dreading the thought of the workday ahead day in and day out, you should definitely look around for something new.

Don't miss anything: You can find everything to do with careers in the regular careers newsletter from our partner Merkur.de.

Job change: The thing with the salary

Of course, the payment also plays a decisive role.

If your boss is absolutely against a raise, this can be a legitimate reason to change jobs.

However, if money is your only motivation for going to work, you should also question your job.

According to professional coach Martin Wehrle, motivation must ultimately “always come from within” – regardless of the salary.

Of course, you should still be paid according to your performance.

After all, the employer also expresses the appreciation for you as an employee.

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Important question: What do I really want from my job?

If, after working through all these points, you have the feeling that a change is just right for you, you can now deal with what is probably the most important question: What do I actually want?

Honest self-reflection helps here.

“It's nice when I look back at my previous professional life and ask myself which jobs and which tasks I really enjoyed.

What am I really good at?

What questions do colleagues approach me with to get my advice?” lists Martin Wehrle.

This way you can find out what really suits you and brings you joy.

What are you really burning for?

In which tasks do you forget to look at the clock and are completely in the "flow"?

Once you have clarified these points,

Salary: Which jobs can earn you good money

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Job change: Pay attention to the period

You should also consider how long you have been working for your current company.

If the period is less than 18 months, changing jobs could do you more harm than good.

It usually does not make a good impression on prospective employers if you only stay with a company for a short period of time.

Then it looks like you couldn't adapt.

On the other hand, it is recommended not to "sink" into a company, but to develop professionally on a regular basis.

The advice is to look for a new job after four years at the latest if there are no opportunities for advancement in your own company.