A stress-free job change

Changing jobs is one of those life events that evoke extreme emotions. On the one hand, it is accompanied by joy at the prospect of a new beginning and exploring unknown career paths. On the other hand, the decision is often difficult, absorbing, time-consuming, and full of fears and doubts. Employees and employers alike face many challenges before taking the final step. In today’s article, we will look at the process of changing jobs. If you feel this topic is for you, stay tuned to find out the benefits and challenges of this stage, as well as what you should keep in mind to have a rewarding change. We look forward to reading more!

In this article you will learn:

• what are the most common reasons for changing jobs?
• how do I change jobs without getting stressed out?
• How do I make sure the change of job goes smoothly?
• What about holidays when changing jobs?

The times when loyalty to one employer was well-regarded are long gone. Our grandparents and parents look at the changes taking place in the labor market with incredulity. For them, stability expressed through long-term employment meant security. Today, few people who sign a contract of indefinite duration hold out hope of being tied to that particular employer until retirement. Today’s employees, especially those just entering the labor market, see employment as one of the stages of their development. Such a trend is a rather positive development – in our view, it can benefit both the employer (engagement, contribution to innovation) and the employee (growth mindset, avoiding routine, or being able to leave a job that is not rewarding). If you are at this point in your life and facing the decision to change jobs, you need to remember to ensure that you take steps to make this time as stress-free as possible. First and foremost, ask yourself….

Why do you want to change jobs?

The worst decisions are made on the impulse of the moment. You must answer the question yourself as to why you want to change jobs. This will ensure that you make a well-considered decision, that you have no doubts, and that you avoid the stress of changing jobs. The worst solution is to act under the influence of negative emotions. Sit down and calmly take stock of the benefits and losses that will result from a job change. If you make a hasty decision and don’t think about your situation calmly, you may forget something important, and this could be a source of stress for you in your new job. The dynamically changing situation in the labor market, new technologies, and the possibility of working remotely influence the expectations and approach to work of today’s ambitious employees. We are not afraid to make bold decisions. Are you ready to answer the question: why am I looking for a new job?

Changing jobs is a decision that can be prompted by a wide variety of factors. We have compiled for you the seven most common reasons why employees choose to do so:

1. I do not have opportunities for professional development.
   As we wrote at the beginning, professional development is an integral part of an attractive workplace. For many people, the need to constantly improve their skills and acquire new competencies is extremely important. If the current workplace does not provide opportunities for advancement or training, employees may feel discouraged.
2. My salary does not satisfy me
   Compensation is one of the key factors in guaranteeing job satisfaction. If an employee feels that his or her work is not adequately remunerated or if he or she feels that he or she could count on more in another company, he or she often decides to change employment.
3. There is a bad atmosphere at work
   Human beings are social creatures. Human relations in the workplace have a huge impact on the well-being and motivation of employees. If there are conflicts at work and, on top of that, there is a lack of support from superiors, an employee may start to think about looking for a new, friendlier work environment, even if the work they do is well paid.
4. I have a problem with work-life balance
   More and more people declare that it is important for them to maintain a healthy work-life balance. A job that requires an excessive time commitment, a constant availability, can lead to job burnout and consequently lead people to look for a position that allows for a work-life balance.
5. I am ready for more professional challenges
   Some employees need new stimuli and challenges to feel job satisfaction. Routine, monotonous duties can lead to fatigue. In such a situation, the best thing to do is to change positions within the company or look for a job elsewhere. Nowadays, a great many ambitious employees choose to re-brand themselves to the IT industry, which continues to grow rapidly and is looking for new talent.
6. My life and career goals have changed
   As people get older, they mature and change their priorities and also their interests or even their career goals. Sometimes a job change is the result of pursuing new passions, and interests, or a change of industry to one more in line with new aspirations.
7. My life situation has changed (moving house/founding a family)
   An equally common factor influencing job change is a change of residence, and the need to care for a new family member.

The decision to change jobs is never an easy one and requires careful consideration. Regardless of why you want to change jobs, it is important to make the decision consciously, with your long-term goals and career aspirations in mind.

How do I change jobs and what not to forget?

Once you have decided to change jobs and you know what you are looking for, start actively searching for a new position. Start by updating your CV and profile on professional portals such as LinkedIn (you’ve certainly changed a lot in your professional life recently and it’s worth showing it off). Try to make your documents professional and catch the attention of recruiters. It’s also worth investing in training and courses that will improve your skills and make you more attractive on the job market. Present your references. When looking for a new job, remember not to burn bridges in your current job. Remain professional and discreet, especially if you have not yet handed in your notice. Misbehaviour can affect your reputation and relationships with former colleagues, and these can be valuable in the future. Additionally, it is often the case that supervisors of different companies know each other, so it is not unlikely that they will pass on information about you.

When you receive a job offer, study it carefully. Read the contract and pay attention to all elements such as salary, benefits, working hours, and termination conditions. It’s also worth finding out more about the culture of the new company to make sure you’ll feel comfortable there. Before making a final decision, consider how a job change will affect your personal life. Consider your commute, your new responsibilities, and your ability to balance work and family life. If you have any doubts, talk to loved ones or trusted career counselors. Also remember that any new situation, in this case a job change, can be a source of stress.

Before giving notice, make sure you have sufficient financial cushion for the transition period. Even if the new job seems secure, take into account that something could go wrong. When you decide to give notice, do it professionally. Arrange an interview with your manager to inform him or her personally of your decision. When changing jobs, leave a good impression by offering your help in the handover process.

What about holidays when changing jobs?

One of the most common questions when changing jobs is the one about leave when changing jobs. What about the leave when changing jobs? First of all, it is worth checking how many days of leave you are entitled to in the current year under your ongoing contract. In Poland, employees are entitled to 20 or 26 days of leave per year – depending on their length of service. When calculating the leave due, proportionality to the period worked in a given calendar year is taken into account.

If you do not take your accrued holiday days before your employment ends, you are entitled to cash compensation for unused holidays. This is the amount that your employer should pay you as compensation for your unused holiday days. When you talk to your new employer, discuss the issue of holiday already at the stage of negotiating the terms of employment. Find out how many leave days you are entitled to in your new job and how they are allocated. Some employers only grant leave after you have worked for a certain period, such as several months.