Why You Should View Yourself As a Free Agent in 2020
- Author: Monica Jackson
- Posted: 2024-08-16
The Jobs Are Out There
In this economy, employers are flat out having difficulty filling jobs. In some fields, job openings will go unfilled for many months because there are more jobs than candidates. This means that there are employers out there who really need what you have to offer. Not only do these companies need you, but they are willing to pay you and give you what you want to get you to sign on the dotted line. You owe it to yourself to be aware of what else is out there. While the grass is not always greener on the other side, chances are that there is an opportunity out there that is better than what you currently have. At a very minimum, you should always keep an eye and ear open to see what else is going on in your field.
Companies Are no Longer Loyal to Their Employees
Sure, it is nice to be loyal to your company. Loyalty is an admirable personality trait, but in a job setting, it can cost you. When there is the first sign of trouble, your company may not have your back like you have theirs. Thus, in today's economy, your first loyalty needs to be to yourself. While it sounds cold and callous, you should adopt a mercenary attitude so long as you do not move jobs too often. In other words, your career and interests should matter the most to you as opposed to the company's. This means that you cannot count on having the loyalty of your employer so you need to be vigilant about putting yourself in the best possible situation.
Sometimes You Need to Move to Move Forward
Your own employer may not always be able to give you what you want both in terms of salary or job responsibility. At your job, you are one of many at the company and your employer may not want to upset the apple cart by giving you the raise or promotion that you want. Many times, you only learn your true value because someone else is willing to pay you. Remember that you are worth what the highest bidding employer is able to pay you. It is not uncommon for employees to move several times in order to reach the pay level that they wish. When it comes to your job situation, change can be incremental, and your desired situation can take several years and multiple moves to reach. The point is that progress may not always occur where you currently are because your employer gets complacent thinking that you will always be there for them.
You Can Do More than You Think
One reason why you may be hesitant to explore what is out there is that you may lack the confidence that you have the ability to meet the requirements of the available jobs. However, you must tell yourself that you have the same ability to successfully perform in these jobs as everyone else who applies and gets offered these positions. If your belief in your own skills is the impediment to you putting yourself in the best position, you need to simply tell yourself that you can do it. Certainly, you are as good as, if not better than, any other candidate who is out there.
Of course, we are not advocating changing jobs just for the sake of making a change. There must be a compelling reason for you to make the switch. What we are saying is that there are many situations that you may not know about that can be better for you than your current one. The only way that you will know what it possible is to take the time to explore. You are not obligated to take the job that you are looking at, but you will become better informed. If nothing else, you will know what your value is on the open market in case you ever need to make a move.
