Story by Gemma Beasley / January 15, 2024
Fatigue from years of physical labor sets in. Noisy chaos frays your nerves. You’ve maxed out your pay scale. You’re struggling to see opportunities for growth.
Whatever the reasons, nearly every construction pro experiences disenchantment with their gig once in a while. But before updating your resume, take a moment to pause. Venturing into the unknown without gazing inward first can leave you flailing.
Voicing a few gripes around the water cooler is one thing, but quitting is quite another. As someone who has placed hundreds of construction professionals into new jobs, I cannot stress enough how important it is to deeply understand your motivations before taking your next big leap.
In this blog, we’ll explore what signs might be telling you that it’s time to switch construction jobs, what key elements to research in potential new employers, how to leave gracefully, and when to pump the brakes before burning bridges you may wish to cross again…
Look Before You Leap
Let’s face it – no one wants to feel stuck in their career. And when appealing opportunities cross our desk or our social feeds, it’s tempting to drop everything and apply. But it’s important to remember that the grass isn’t automatically greener somewhere else.
Take time to first evaluate why you feel unhappy or unfulfilled in your current construction position. Pinpoint the specific issues that would markedly improve with a company change. Better pay? More authority? Flexible scheduling?
Understanding the root of your urge to jump ship will help assess if switching firms genuinely makes sense, or if certain changes at your current employer could better meet your needs.
Before reviewing job descriptions, take an honest inventory of what you wish you had more of and less of in your present role. Are you craving more stimulating projects? Increased learning opportunities? Shorter hours?
Establishing this will help you craft pointed questions that can discern the right opportunity once your offers start to land.
Consider The Right Long Term Fit
It may be tempting to jump into the next option that brandishes the biggest monthly check before your eyes, but you’ll never regret taking time to thoroughly vet your next landing spot.
At our recruiting firm, we help construction pros deeply analyze potential employers to prevent bad fits. We look at leadership, values, training, workplace culture, clientele, etc. Moving to a new firm solely because of flashy perks, without aligning with priorities that matter to you, carries potential for remorse in the future.
You’ll never regret doing your due diligence to determine if expected pros genuinely outweigh the cons you’re walking away from. So ask… What are your long-term career goals? Which company can better set you up for future success?
Bouncing between one firm to the next because of fleeting frustrations fails to support your long-game, while a pattern of premature departures hurts your resume. Employers want to see commitment, growth, and progress over time. Choosing the right move now matters in the future.
Trust Your Instincts
Of course, certain toxic environments or scenarios spell that it’s time to get out. No riches or perks warrant enduring abuse of any variety.
It’s important to reflect on what specifically is making you uncomfortable. Is it a misalignment with your values? Do you feel disrespected or unappreciated? Are you simply bored?
During transitions, lean on trusted mentors who know your talents well. We can provide references and advice to aid your search for a better home aligned with your skills and passions. Perhaps most crucially, we can validate your self-trust when you must make those tough calls.
No recruiter or advisor knows you better than you know you. But we’re here to listen, reflect back blindspots, and support your career maneuvers when you need a trusted sounding board.
So have confidence in your self-knowledge and instincts. With thoughtful discernment and courage, you can navigate uncertainty skillfully and land in a spot where you’re getting fulfillment.
Reach Out When You’re Ready
So there you have it – my best advice for weighing a potential career transition in today’s construction realm. Take time for honest self-examination, open communication, due diligence, and long-term strategy before committing to any moves in 2024 and beyond.
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