Poll: Why Are You Looking for a New Job?

It's kind of hard to list just ONE reason as to why I'll be soon looking for a new job...

My company is a small start-up that's been in business for 2 years and is finally coming to the end of their road. We may get bought out, which means none of our jobs are safe. Not to mention with the lack of funds, we haven't been getting paid on time (days and weeks late). Also, my HSA hasn't been seeing ANY deposits from my company and I have hospital bills to pay.

Another reason I will start looking is because even though I love the field I'm in (event planning), the group I work with is their own posse. Meaning, they've worked together for about 8-10 years and I'm the newbie. I've been here since March and I still don't feel like I can relate to them. They are in their 40's and 50's with kids and families. I'm in my mid-20's. I left behind a great group of people at my last job and I miss those relationships terribly!

Money, work relationships, insurance issues... I guess I can't directly answer your question, but if I had to choose, my answer is D: All of the above!

1. INSURANCE, and Benefits

2. Stability of employer

3. Challenge and Professional Grooming

What a time to be looking too!

What is so bad about looking for work right now, Jessee? If you've got the skills that someone is looking for, you can find a job. Companies are always hiring because of natural attrition. Don't think that just because some of the "experts" say companies are not planning on hiring people or that companies are cutting back on staff that you can't find work.

If you have the skills, you can get hired. It's supply and demand - it's not hard as most would have you think!

Jeremy: I appreciate your positivity. My comment of "What a time to be looking too!" was meant to convey that there are very few job openings and an abundance of applicants competing for them. Hence the reason I subscribe to PONGO - to set myself apart. To invest in myself.

Where do you live because I'd love to be there?! Backfilling for natural attrition? Try in addition to NOT backfilling, layoffs!

A year or more ago, I'd have more readily agreed with you but have you seen the news? Your comment is SO confusing given the state of the economy in this nation right now. And, I promise, I am not chicken little glued to the popular media tv stations, paranoid about the economy or the election. I am basing this on a very real job search in a very average market, just like where most Americans live.

I'm sure Starbucks would hire me to replace the girl who just quit her Shift Manager job, and as much as I love boutique coffee, thankfully, I'm in a whole different league and my league has challenges in it right now. Thankfully, I'm willing do do the hard work to meet those challenges and my experience, skills, and resume shine through and put me ahead of the competition.

HR professionals, when lucky enough to find themselves in a hiring position right now, are swimming through a literal flood of resumes. On a job that I am a finalist for, I was the 80th (and last) person they phone screened out of upwards of 500 applicants.

So, where are you living?!? I'd consider a relocation.

LOL! Jessee

I'm not happy with how my boss scrutinizes everything I do and doesn't just leave me alone to do my work. I also feel overwhelmed by how much work he has and find it difficult to keep up, especially since everything I'm doing in this job is basically new to me. I've only been doing it for 8 months but he isn't very patient or understanding anymore and he's far more technically and computer savvy than I. I don't really enjoy working with computers that much because I don't think that way. I'm more creative than technical - always have been, always will be.

One of the advantages of working as a freelancer: No traditional boss. However, I am looking for a few more stable gigs at this time.

Jessee,

I live in Massachusetts! I am in a high tech field. I have changed jobs every year for the past seven years. I get a new job, I get tired of it, and I look for another one and find one. Every fall, I get a new job.

I'm not talking Starbucks. I'm talking about positions earning just under six figures annually. It is simply because I possess the skills that high tech companies are looking for (even though most say they aren't hiring) and I enjoy interviewing. If I see something out there that I think might be interesting, I just go for it.

Of course, I'm going to keep looking until I find that one spot that will make me happy for more than 12 months. But I am in no way worried that I will ever have difficulty finding a job no matter how bad the economy gets. If I want it, I go get it, no matter what the cost.

Jeremy, Good luck in finding a "staying" job. I applaud your ability to bring about change for yourself. Your job hopping could be attributed to a serious effort towards self discovery. They say, and by they I mean Penelope Trunk at http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/, self-awareness is key in job searching and personal satisfaction with your work life.

I'm in Tennessee and it's a very different world here.

I'm sure with your pace of job hopping, Pongo loves your loyalty! Isn't Pongo great?

So, as the blog initially asked, "What is the number one reason you're looking for a new job?"

And what Generation are you? I'd guess Y but maybe X?

Anyway - best of luck! Jessee

Jessee,

I'm not an X, not a Y. I'm in my mid 40's. I wouldn't say I'm a hopper - I'd say that I'm someone that doesn't settle for anything that I don't feel 100% comfortable with. If something about my job doesn't make me happy, or if the job turns out to be something other than what is pitched in the interview, I move on instead of being unhappy. I'll keep doing that until I find the perfect job. I know the perfect job exists because I've had it before, twice. I just moved on from those because I wanted to shake things up and get myself a new challenge.

I don't use Pongo to help me in my job searching. I just happened to stumble on it one day and I find some of the blog posts to be interesting, so I check in on them every now and then.

Just a little HR knowledge here... job changing every fall is job hopping. It is quite common with the younger generation (gosh I feel so old being an Xer).

I am curious Jeremy- do the employers ask you in interviews why you have changed jobs so frequently? I must know how you answer this and what makes them believe you will stay there for longer than 12 months. Hiring an employee close to a six figure salary is quite an investment.

I like Jeremy's approach to career management, which he links with the highly cherished American value of "the pursuit happiness." But in response to Owen's Mum, I'd also be curious to know if would-be employers call him on his many different roles. Yet, as a former IT journalist and analyst, I don't find Jeremy's story all that surprising.

One other note for Owen's Mum: Yes, a company filling a six-figure role is making quite an investment. But with the constant change in the IT field, that six-figure investment - depending, of course, on the role and the required skills - may not be worth that much a year or two down the road.

This is an interesting topic. Kudos for Pongo in hosting this dialogue.

So reading this blog got me thinking in a Carrie Bradshaw kind of way...Do you ever think people are searching for something that doesn't exists?

Anywho, I am finishing up my Master's in HR, and have been in the HR field (and heavily involved in hiring since the mid to late nineties)... I am finding even companies doing fairly well are being more conserative with their hiring practices do not see a 100K a year job as a small or temporary investment. Remember, that is salary only- that doesn't take in account benefits, employer contributions, training and development, vesting, etc.

I know free lance consultants that stay on their project work for more than a year at a time at one place; however I do agree the nature of changing jobs is different for different professions, I am just not sure even Information Technology is THAT different.

In all seriousness, Kudos to Jer for his success in finding a constant and rewarding change.

Off to ponder this blog.

I'm new to the Pongo Blogs so please bare w/ me. I was in the Marketing field for about 13 years and really got quite burned out. So for the last year I've been working as a Sr. Admin. Asst. which I don't like at all. I miss the marketing, event planning, budgeting, etc. so am going to try and get into it.

My job now is boring, I'm not using much knowledge and it's not challenging.

Anybody care to comment?

I guess if you want to call my experience "job hopping" then I guess you can. But here is how 99% of those interviewing me see it, and here is how I present it:

In the world of high tech, the more exposure you get to different situations and scenerios, the wider your range of experience, the more apt you are to be able to handle a wider variety of tasks. So, if I work ten one-year contract jobs in a row, that gives me a very wide range of experiences and exposures to put on my resume.

Most IT recruiters will tell you the same thing, and most people in IT also know that changing jobs more frequently now comes with the territory. So instead of working at one spot for ten years and only having X and Y in my skill set, I can boast of having X, Y, Z, A, B, C, D, E, F and please, let's not forgot about G on my resume. Thus, back to my original point, I have the skill set that IT employers are looking for, which is why I don't ever have a problem landing a new job!

I love it when things work out!

Hi Beth,

I know what it's like to not be challenged at work. I also know what it's like to be over-challenged. There has got to be something in the middle and yup, there is. You'll find it eventually. Hang in there! It sounds like you gave yourself a demotion. Sometimes that can work, but most times it doesn't, and will leave you feeling the way you feel.

Kepe your head up, girl!

@Dsantano: I think a boss like that would make me want to leave my job, too. It could be a form of tough love or simply the boss's management style. Either way, good luck out there! Hopefully you'll find a position better suited for your (and their) interests.

~Brianna

@ Jessee and Jeremy: I've enjoyed witnessing your exchanges over the past few days. Both of you make great points and are clearly in different industries/points in your lives during this current job search.
IT is a field that I believe will forever be in high demand, and Jeremy, you make a good point in saying that employers value experience in several different areas more than they value how long you've been working in just one or two - especially when it comes to IT. The more certifications you have and the more technology you know, the more valuable you are. Thanks for explaining your point of view.
Jessee, keep your chin up. Some industries ARE really struggling w/the state of the economy (just look at what some people are saying in the HR blog post!). All you can do is continue to market yourself. Best of luck!
~Brianna

@Beth: It sounds like you're ready to return to the Marketing world. Is that the industry you're job hunting in now?

~Brianna

I experienced burn out in my previous profession. I need to find an employment opportunity that fits my personality type.

I am a veteran of 24 years in the travel and tourism industry. I feel that employers feel "threatened" because of my background. When I'm interviewed, it is generally by people in the field less than me.

I also have looked into advertising agency positions, thinking my travel and tourism background could/would be a plus.

However, I'm "just a travel agent" to them, and no one wants to talk to me. it seems they end up getting the "traditional" account execs (the j-school graduates, copywriters etc.)

Any advice ?

I am writting a resume for tow reasons; 1. I have not made one since 1998 and have done a large vast varity of positions ans tast in this field. 2. No matter where you work there will always be problems way out of your conrol. This last five weeks have been very hard for me to WANT to go to work. I love what I do just don't for the most part enjoy doing it for who I actually have to report to. I get my gradification through my patients and their families. Thats the payoff. With everything going on with the econimy I am not concerned about employment. I have a great relationship with many if not all Physicians and their staff and am pretty confident that I could work just about anywhere I so choose. I like working for the hospital because I have the ability to learn so much everyday. The growth is wonderful when it comes to knowledge.

I've been looking for work after I was laid off during the last recession (2001). Although I was told there was no connection, the layoff was conveniently 6 months (exactly) after my 50th birthday. I ran the out placement gauntlet, submitted resumes, networked, etc. to no avail. After a year out of work, I could no longer afford COBRA ($700/month) and had used up my savings and the meager handout from Honeywell.

Since my background is in accounting and aerospace engineering, I continued to look for similar jobs to what I had in the past. When that looked bleak, I started to apply my skills in analysis and problem solving to other industries. In desperation, I found a part-time job in retail ($7/hr) to get some benefits until I found other employment. That "part-time" job quickly became full-time and 7 years later I'm still looking. I've sent out a few resumes a month, kept my resume up-to-date, but still am having difficulty getting placed.

During this time, I've had a number of interviews. The feedback has been "out-dated", "not a good fit", "too much experience", and "not enough experience." Because the retail company I work for is HQ'd here in Phoenix, I thought working in a store would be a good way into corporate. However, the company has a different requirement for store associates who want to go to corporate--we have to have 2 levels of management approval, submit a special form, and write an essay addressing 10 different points. I gladly jumped through these hoops for 5 different job openings until I was demoted by my District Manager in 2006 because I was "spending too much time" trying to get a job at corporate. I haven't applied for another position since.

I've thought about going back to school, but the thought of spending $25,000 on another degree (I already have 2) just to find out I still can't get hired is less than thrilling. And paying back student loans into my 70's is really not realistic.

My main goal in continuing to look for another "real" job is my desire to contribute to something at an appropriate level while being able to work a more "normal" schedule. I haven't had a weekend off in 7 years and don't see my family enough. I'm also finding my current job to be physically exhausting and mind numbingly boring.

Any thoughts?

I am trying to return to the office environment after working parttime for 20 years while raising my 3 children. One is a Jr. in college (an expensive one), the 2nd is a Sr. in high school and the youngest is a 5th grader. I've got a secretarial school certificate, an AS degree in business Mgt and tons of experience, but I find myself overqualified for entry-level, underqualified for office Mgt. and why is it employers want a Bachelor's to be a secretary? Being a good office assistant doesn't come from a book--it takes instincts! I try my best to sell myself, apply to 10-15 jobs a month and MAYBE get 1 interview--then come up short. I hope it's not age discrimination (I'm 47).

I was at a company for 10 1/2 years and had worked my way up to management. One day about 5 months ago, they came to me and said they had to eliminate my position because they were cutting back. I had my resume updated, but I am still having such a hard time finding a job. I have joined several temp agencies and no luck. I don't have any college background, so I am thinking this might have a lot to do with not finding something. I am very desperate at this point. I have no health insurance, which really sucks!

Gee, Bri, looks like you win the prize for the post with the most responses! You sure stirred up the waters with this one.

I have been casually looking for work for about a month now and I recently had an epiphany. Instead of looking for work so I can work for someone else and not be completely in control of my future, I am going to buy an existing business! I've got the cash, I've got knowledge of the business I'm going to buy because I worked in that business for many years, and I enjoy that business.

So hey everyone looking for work, one thing you can consider if you have the financial resources (or can get them) and if there is a business that you really love working in, go online, check the newspapers, check real estate places and maybe consider BUYING your own business!

In many cases, you can buy an existing business that already has a customer base and a staff. And with the way the economy is today, businesses that are for sale are, in many cases, lowering their asking price. There are also many cases where someone wants to sell their business because they want to retire, or for health reasons, so they've dropped their price as well.

Jeremy, thanks for your insight. More power to you, man!

I need money to support myself in college and with the decline in the economy and the lack of jobs, it's nearly impossible to find one that interests me, especially one that I can get started on easily.

I am looking for a job because Gov Corzine refigured how schools were funded - some got more $, some got less. Mine got less so they laid off 70 people. Since I had moved there from another school a few years ago, I was one to go. No one wants to hire me, I have 22 years experience and a Master's plus 30. They only want to hire cheap teachers.

The number one reason I am searching for a position is because of layoffs and the need to pay the bills. Unfortunately, I am having a tough time of it, even with great skill sets. My experience is considered "old", "outdated" or simply "we can pay someone more cheaply for this work".

I will not give up though, I am a fighter.

Karen, I've asked myself that question many times -- I don't understand why employers are suddenly requiring secretaries to have BAs. Most people I know who have 4-year degrees are seeking more than secretarial position.

I posed the question to a friend who is a recruiter with an agency to get her thoughts. She said that one reason is that the company wants "promotable" people and the degree would be part of that requirement if they advertised say, a supervisor or mgt. position in the open market.

The second reason she came up with, which is scary, is that because recruiterse are so inundated with resumes -- it's not uncommon to receive more than 100 resumes for one job -- is a screening tool. That means someone who is highly qualified, knows a lot of software, etc., but only has a h.s. diploma or AA degree, will be left out.

I'd like to hear what HR people think about this....