By Andy Thatcher, VP, J2 Solutions
Knowing your worth and value is vital if you’re going to have success and happiness in your life. When was the last time you looked around to see what else was out there for you professionally? If you haven’t looked lately, now is the time to do it. There is a huge demand for jobs in tech and employers are catering to the wants and needs of tech talent. Perks like working remotely, expanded parental leave, career development and creative benefit packages are being offered all over the nation. So why are so many technical professionals not aware of their individual value is in the current marketplace?
When it comes to planning ahead, people are much more likely to make educated decisions when it comes to their finances and health. Having a rainy-day fund is a financial must-have: if ever you needed a safety net, you’d be equipped to navigate whatever financial challenges that are ahead. If you are noticing shifts in your health or energy levels, it is common to look at changes in diet or exercise programs to keep you healthy. But when it comes to professional self-improvement and career growth, many people don’t regularly investigate for comparable information and potential improvement.
So, what’s holding potential candidates back? There really are a number of reasons. Maybe they’re content or the reverse: work-life has just enough good days to keep them going. Maybe they’re comfortable, or its not their nature. Is that a bad thing? Not exactly, but that mentality will definitely stunt their career-growth and development. Perhaps their company is compensating them generously.; however, if companies are making strong investments in their employees to stay, it’s good to understand that in appreciation of your current employer and role.
One of the more common reasons for staying put I often hear is that individuals worry about the “Job Hopping Myth”: the idea that changing jobs every few years make you seem fickle and flighty. These days, that simply isn’t true. Employers don’t punish people for job-hopping, in fact, companies embrace varied IT experience. Applicants with a diverse work experience can bring a fresh perspective to the team. And trust me, I’ve seen hundreds, if not thousands of resumes and you can easily spot the serial job-hopper.
If you need to better define why checking out the competition is a good idea, here are some reasons you should consider:
Professional Development
A well-trained workforce is enthusiastic and involved. Employees who care about the workplace environment they are in are productive and engaged. That is why so many companies have shifted from having a frugal mindset when it comes to employee training and development to embracing and creating many opportunities for employees to grow. What kind of career development is important to you? In what areas would you like to grow? The percentage of engaged workers in the U.S. is on the rise, so why not be a part of that statistic?
Recognition
If your company’s culture isn’t built on recognizing their employees then odds are you, and maybe some of your co-workers aren’t feeling valued or motivated to the level you could be. If you’re not happy where you are, then it’s a good time to look around. Many companies thrive off recognizing their teams work and use employee appreciation strategies to help build a strong company culture.
Compensation
A popular reason people tend to switch jobs is their compensation. Before candidates look for job qualifications and duties, they look at pay, naturally. However, when we ask employees what matters most to them when job-hunting, culture, quality senior leadership and company values tend to come up before salary. Compensation these days can also include a unique benefit package tailored to the talent’s needs. That alone is a great reason to see what’s out there.
Whatever your reason for staying at your current employer, don’t let it hold you back from understanding your current individual value. Invest the time to do some comparable views, preferably with a top IT consulting firm that understands IT recruiting and IT staffing. The recruiters in these firms should be well equipped to give you information. They have insider knowledge that can help you find the compensation recognition you seek, along with a company culture where you will fit right in.