SIGNS YOU SHOULDN’T IGNORE!

“ How Do You Know When It Is Time To Start Job

Searching? ”

Let’s be honest:  Job searching is rarely enjoyable. However, like paying taxes or seeing the dentist, we all have to do it from time to time.  Sometimes job searching is necessary because of lay-offs (those who suffered as a result of “downsizing” during the most recent financial crisis know what that looks like).

All too often do we ignore signs that our future with the company might be short-lived.  Perhaps we’ve been told there is dissatisfaction with our performance.  Maybe there’s a personality conflict with a supervisor.  Or there may be indications that the company is struggling financially.  Whatever the case may be, you ignore such signs at your peril, no matter how hopeful you may feel.  Know that hope will be of little comfort if you find yourself standing in the unemployment line because you hadn’t lined up a new job before the hammer fell.

So, how can you tell when it’s time to start job searching?  Keep the following in mind to minimize your exposure to being blindsided by the dreaded pink slip.

“It’s not you, it’s me”.

There may be things happening which could impact your job which aren’t related to you at all.  Until they cost your job, that is.

Rumors of executive mismanagement/misconduct.  If rumors are swirling about the conduct of an officer or director (e.g., embezzlement), that’s never good news.  Change is likely to follow which may include you.

A merger or corporate takeover has occurred or is expected to occur.  

“Organizational restructuring” is almost guaranteed to include downsizing.  If you know such an event is coming or has just happened, it’s time to begin job searching in earnest.

Under new management. Count on new bosses to

make changes, including bringing in “their people” or even new folks.  Either

way , you’re not them.

Layoffs have started.

Will they end before they get

to you? 

Projects are being limited or terminated.  Perhaps a product line is being abandoned.  These all indicate your job may no longer be secure.

Departmental resources are being reduced.

Money seems to be tight.

 Uh oh… .

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“Um, yeah.  It is you”.  www.distinctiveweb.com

Was it something I said?

If you’ve been getting the feeling lately that you are no longer in the loop, you might want to start job searching.  Maybe you’re no longer being asked for your input or invited to meetings or events.  

Is your boss treating you differently? 

 No longer as interested in what you’re doing or what you

have to say?  Or perhaps you’re suddenly being

micromanaged?  Are all communications between you

and supervisory personnel now in writing?  Remember

that disciplinary action requires documentation. 

Poor performance evaluation.

We don’t really need to explain this one, do we?

Your attitude is becoming a hot topic. 

“ Again, pretty self-explanatory. ”

Oops, my bad.. If you’ve made a costly mistake, either in terms of resources or the reputation of the organization, look out!

Yay, a promotion!  

“Wait, what?  Isn’t that good”, you ask?  Depends.  Taking you away from a mission-critical position under the guise of promoting you to do something “new” is a clever way to get rid of you. 

Yes, employers create a position that they plan to eliminate so that they can lay someone off without having to undergo the time and effort to engage in disciplinary action.

WWW.DISTINCTIVEWEB.COM

Michelle Dumas runs of one of the longest-standing and most respected professional résumé writing firms on the internet, Distinctive Career Services, LLC (dba Distinctive Documents). Since 1996, Michelle has empowered thousands of professionals with résumés that get results and win jobs fast. Get insider résumé writing tips that you won't find anywhere else at her website. Go now to www.distinctiveweb.com

The Internet’s Résumé & Career Marketing Specialists…Since 1996

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