Pursuing a career with passion is a beautiful thing. What better way to love the life you live and live the life you love? Pursuing any career we care about is the best chance we all have at happiness.
Of course, when you start out, you may have a relatively limited idea of your goals in any given field. Most of us embark on the working world with only a rough idea of our end point. If you’re lucky, you’ll manage to secure a job in your industry early on, and build yourself up from there.
The truth is, though, that few of us stay with the company we start in. It may be that, over the years, you outgrow your first firm. Or, you may get a counter offer which pulls you away.
This is all part of a competitive industry. Many would argue that accepting counter offers is essential for progression. The only issue is, a company may try and woo you without having the substance to back things up. And, once you leave a position for a competitor, there’s no looking back. So, how can you make sure hopping careers won’t leave you worse off?
Don’t Let Pretty Promises Fool You
If a company has reached out to you, they obviously like what you do. And, the chances are that they’ll say anything to get you on board. The only trouble is, pretty promises don’t always materialize. It’s not unusual for companies to offer the world, then retract it once they have you onside. As such, you should always ask for proof before making new commitments. Bear in mind, too, that even getting something in writing doesn’t set it in stone. Companies often use ‘offer letters’. These aren’t typically binding, and could still lead to a retraction. To make sure it doesn’t happen, you can turn to the Law Offices of George Birnbaum and others like them who can help see those offers to fruition. Whatever you do, don’t just take promises at face value. You’re sure to pay for it later.
Compare the Companies
It’s also essential you take time to compare your current company with the one making the offer. Everything, from the number of employees to the deals they’ve secured, should come into play. If your current company has more deals on the table, for instance, you’d be mad to move somewhere smaller. The thing to bear in mind is that any move, even a career hop, should be a step forward of some kind. If you’re looking at going backward, you’re getting something wrong.
Consider Future Prospects
Of course, the issue isn’t black and white. Given most of us are working towards progression, you should also bear this in mind. A smaller company, for instance, may offer a better chance of promotion down the line. So, your final consideration should be your chances for advancement. If a new job doesn’t provide an opportunity for a promotion anytime soon, it’s probably not worth taking.
