Is 2024 time for a new job?...how to get started

19th November 2023

Did you know that 2024 is the Year of the Dragon? In Chinese culture, the dragon is a symbol of good luck, strength and health. 2024 is predicted to be a year to transform, prosper and accomplish. To capitalise on the opportunities it brings for growth and renewal, you are going to need to remain open to change, be positive and willing to take action. So, let’s dive into what it will take to breathe some new energy into your work…

The end of the year holiday break is a great chance to take any extra time you may have to reflect on your life – both over the past year and your present circumstances. Do you feel at ease or are there things that are not ideal? Maybe you are starting to get bored in your job and are hungry to learn new things and be challenged. Perhaps your kids have started high school and you wonder if it would be a good time to swap your part time job for a full time one. You might even be working for a company where the fit doesn’t feel right because you don’t share the same values or the role isn’t one you enjoy.

There is a lot to think about and emotional factors to take into account. Sometimes it is helpful to have an objective assessment to help you use logical thought patterns when beginning to think about the subject.

To assist with an objective assessment, below are a series of questions that will give you some structure and a place to start with figuring out whether it is time for a new job…

7 questions to ask yourself to help figure out if it is time to look for a new job

Are you enjoying your current job or are there some factors that are less than ideal?
Following on from above…if your work situation isn’t ideal, what are those factors and are they things you can do anything about (e.g. have a conversation with your employer)?
Have you been in your current role long enough for it not to look bad on your CV if you make a move (hopping around)?
Are you feeling challenged and stimulated enough in your work so that you are activating your potential for growth?
Have your personal circumstances changed? (such as moved house, got a divorce, had another child or been placed under extra financial strain)
Do you feel that your current job brings out the best version of you and you can be yourself in the workplace?
Without naming the type of role, what would your ideal work life involve? – this is a good chance to capture some criteria that you can use to evaluate any new job opportunities whilst remaining open to a wide variety of possibilities (e.g. number of hours, how physically active, proximity to home or daycare/schools, type of colleagues, indoor/outdoor etc.)

What are the actions to take if you decide it’s time to find a new job?

If you come to a conclusion that it is time to find a new job, the best thing you can do is to make a plan…and most importantly, take action.

A plan can be as simple as a list of the steps that you need to take. It might look like this:

Update curriculum vitae
Check in with referees to get their agreement to acting as one
Make any personal arrangements that you’ll need to put in place to make new work viable; such as organising childcare or sorting out transport situation (e.g. access to a vehicle)
Prepare for an interview – you may find this article helpful
Get in touch with recruitment agency (Martin Personnel of course!)
Make sure you have your job criteria (mentioned earlier in this article) ready to help communicate what you are looking for and evaluate any opportunities

Taking action involves doing something in a way that suits; even if that means a little action every day. Fifteen minutes daily working on your CV if you can’t spare much time is better than putting it off until you have a chance for a big block of time. Procrastination is your worst enemy and will prevent you from achieving your goal of getting a new job in 2024.

In fact, there is no need to wait until January…start on your plan before the end of this year to set you up for success sooner. Life is too short to be miserable in your job and miss out on the fulfilment you could get from learning new things and meeting like-minded people.

As well-loved recruitment advisors, the team at Martin Personnel is here to support you on your journey to a new job. So, when you are ready, we would love to hear from you. Contact us today.