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Life is unpredictable. We learn to adapt to uncertainty and unexpected changes. We can do that regularly because life's unpredictability typically leaves you with two distinct options, and you choose one of them. Sometimes, however, you are forced into a dilemma, the answer to which is not clear.
If you start a new job and receive an offer for another one shortly after, you face a moral and professional decision that may have a long-lasting impact on your career. There is no easy answer, and you are the only person who can decide whether or not it's the right move. Frequently job jumps on your resume can scare potential employers, who may fear that you’ll leave six months after hiring you. That said, personal circumstances are nuanced. Not every early exit is a liability.
To help navigate your personal circumstances, answer these simple YES/NO questions:
1. Do you believe changing jobs will damage your career? If YES, you have a lot to think about. If NO, proceed.
2. Is the second job offer truly better than the job you just started? This is the primary comparison most people are going to make. Assess the compensation packages and weigh any increases or additional benefits against the risk to your professional brand for "job-hopping." If there's parity, more discovery is needed to make an informed decision. If it's an offer that’s so good financially you think you’d be an idiot to refuse it, perform a risk/benefit analysis and proceed accordingly.
3. Is it the job of a lifetime knocking on the door? Many components make a job a "dream job" for a particular person. For example, significant salary increases, significant promotion doing precisely what you want, better commute, on-site daycare, or medical benefits/care. That is why you do not automatically rule out the second job offer even if the compensation package is worse. People are willing to trade off certain things for their dream job. One thing on the above list may dictate an employee's decisions above all others, or perhaps the second job sets you on a path with more room for personal and professional development.
4. Is your current job unpromising? Let’s say your new job was great on paper, but once you became part of the daily operations, you discovered that it was unsustainable. Job disasters exist, so this is a valid position to take. Sometimes, especially if the circumstances are extreme, it is better to move on as quickly as possible, but be prepared to answer the question, "Why?"
5. Are you experiencing a significant life change? If you are experiencing a significant long-term life change (e.g., marriage, starting a family, caring for a sick loved one, being sick), you may have more flexibility to move jobs quickly without major repercussions. Certain life events are viewed with wider latitude than others. For example, a new parent may switch jobs because their current job requires a lot of travel. That's reasonable.
6. Are you in a contract or consulting role? You can do what you want. Generally speaking, in the absence of a long-term contract, it's understood that consultants/contract workers will move on when current projects are complete or better opportunities arise.
7. Does the second job fit in better with your strategic career plan? Any general advice offered regarding this dilemma does not consider your long-term professional goals, which only you know. The proposed job opportunity may be the missing piece of your career puzzle, and the switch will ultimately benefit you in ways you believe your current position will not.
8. Are you a part-time worker searching for a full-time position? This is an obvious exception to the job-hopping rule. If you switch jobs because your current job, regardless of how long you've been in it, is part-time and the other job is full-time, nobody will dispute that calculation.
9. Are you moving? If you find yourself relocating to a new market, unless you’re working remotely you will need to find a new job in your new community.
10. Does the second job fit in better with your strategic career plan? Any general advice offered regarding this dilemma does not consider your long-term professional goals, which only you know. The second job may be the missing piece of your career puzzle, and the switch will ultimately benefit you in ways you believe your current position will not.
Philip Roufail contributed to this article.
Scott Singer is the President and Founder of Insider Career Strategies Resume Writing & Career Coaching, a firm dedicated to guiding job seekers and companies through the job search and hiring process. Insider Career Strategies provides resume writing, LinkedIn profile development, career coaching services, and outplacement services. You can email Scott Singer at scott.singer@insidercs.com, or via the website, www.insidercs.com.
