Stay or Go? Making the Right Career Move

Key Takeaways: 

• Career satisfaction often depends on factors such as leadership, growth opportunities, recognition, and workplace culture, making regular self-assessment essential for long-term success.
• Professionals considering a career move should evaluate their skills, research potential employers, and tailor their resumes to align with specific opportunities.
• A thoughtful job search strategy—including preparation, professionalism, and clear communication—can help ensure a successful career transition.

 

Over the years, I learned that most of us who ended up with careers in the cleaning industry did not plan for it. The overwhelming majority stumbled into the profession (like me) and ended up with a long, successful, and rewarding career. 

But one of the most important life decisions is choosing whether to stay in a particular job or pursue other opportunities. There are many factors to consider when making this potentially life-altering choice. It is a very personal decision, one dependent on career ambitions, earnings goals, preferred work environment, and overall enthusiasm for the job. 

Having a leadership mentorship; opportunities for training and personal development; positive recognition; opportunities for advancement; and job growth are factors that can give you a better chance of achieving career fulfillment and work satisfaction. 

On the other hand, the opposite can push people to look for another job—poor leadership, a hostile or toxic work environment, low pay and benefits packages, and so on. It is incredibly stressful and unsatisfying to work in a situation involving these negative factors. If you find yourself in this type of work environment, it might be time to start doing your research. 

Self-assess: Begin with a realistic assessment and inventory of your skills, work experience, education, training history, and specific work accomplishments. Solicit feedback from trusted colleagues and leaders who can give you honest feedback on your strengths, as well as areas to work on. This may help determine the positions you qualify for and those you can stretch into. 

Research: Review the current job market and open positions, then research organizations thoroughly. Check out their dialogue regarding culture, vision and mission statements, organizational charts, as well as the history of the department you are applying for. 

You will also want to gain a full understanding of an organization's human resource policies and benefits packages. This will help you decide whether to apply and is useful information to take into the interview process. 

Resume Update: Develop an introductory summary describing your experiences, skills, and what you have to offer. Focus on what separates you from the competition and include a brief statement regarding your goals and objectives. This information can also be included in a cover letter. 

List work experience pertinent to the position you are applying for with titles, dates of employment, and notable achievements and responsibilities. Then, list your educational history and any special honors related to the position you are applying for. Also include any certificates and licenses you may possess, as well as awards, publications, and volunteer experiences. 

Overall, build and customize your resume for each position you are considering. 

Apply and Prepare: After applying to positions, engage in positive self-talk leading up to the interview. Dress professionally but not flashy. Listen carefully to each question to gain an understanding of what information the questioner is seeking from you. Be authentic. Then, immediately after the interview, write personal thank-you notes expressing your appreciation for their time and your continued interest. 

It is a private and personal matter when you decide to apply for another job, and the timing for when to inform your boss depends on your relationship. You can let your boss know that you are interested in pursuing other positions amid your job search or wait until you’ve been offered a position. 

If you’re open to entertaining the possibility that your boss may entice you to stay, then the former is suggested. If you are determined to leave, give ample notice after the new offer is presented. No matter what, it’s important to make a decision that is right for you. 

Gene Woodard, R.E.H., spent more than 45 years in the cleaning industry, retiring as the director of building services at the University of Washington, before which he spent almost a decade at Emanual Hospital in Portland, Oregon. Gene was also a founding member of the Healthy Green Schools & Colleges Steering Committee and served for many years as an advisory board member of Facility Cleaning Decisions magazine.