Career Crossroads Should I Stay or
Should I Go
Presented By:
Erica Woods, Apex
Systems
Brandon Berlett,
Experis
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Session Abstract
Have you reached the point where you are considering a change of
pace? If you find yourself at the career crossroads you are not
alone. We will take a look at the most common reasons
professionals make a move and how to transition without burning
bridges. Our discussion will cover obstacles, opportunities and the
potential pitfalls in the search for “greener pastures”. Whether
you are committed to taking the plunge or standing on the edge
testing out the waters, this discussion will provide insights and
suggestions to help you make the right choice.
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Who are we?
Erica Woods, Apex Systems
Brandon Berlett, Experis
• Manager of Contractor Relations, with 6+ years of
• Sr. Technical Recruiter (Microsoft
Applications Recruiting (focus on Microsoft Tech
(.NET, SP, SQL))
• Supported 30+ clients in the local area with SQL
Server environments across a variety of
industries, and placed hundreds of IT
professionals
• Community Involvement: BSSUG, CMAP,
BaltoMSDN, PMI, GiveCamp, & PARW/CC
• Contact Information:
ewoods@apexsystemsinc.com
Office: 443-539-3320
Technologies)
• Over 6 years with Experis/Comsys
(Recruiting and Business Development)
• Lead National Microsoft Talent
Community
• Lifetime Baltimorean – Go O’s/Ravens
• Community Involvement: BSSUG, IIBA,
CMAP, GiveCamp
• Contact Information:
brandon.berlett@experis.com
Office: 443-703-3840
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IT Professionals on the Move
Will you be looking for a new job in the next year?
Not Sure
33%
Yes
40%
No
27%
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Process – Should I stay or
should I go?
• Step 1: Take measures to try and improve your situation. Ensure
there’s no potential for improvement in your current opportunity.
• Step 2: Determine Motivators and Goals
• Step 3: Update resume, LinkedIn, portfolio, references, etc…
• Step 4: Start the search
• Step 5: Carefully evaluate any opportunities you consider. Match
them up against the criteria you outlined early on that matters to
you.
• Step 6: Make a sound decision and communicate that decision.
Think about your exit strategy.
• Step 7: Leave with dignity and grace
• Step 8: Enjoy the next professional chapter of your life!
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Deciding: Should I stay or
should I go?
• Before deciding to explore what’s out there, ask yourself:
• Is my frustration minor in the grand scheme of things?
• Do I understand why I’m frustrated? What are the primary reasons?
Are these short-term frustrations or will the situation resolve itself?
• Is the situation I’m in salvageable?
• Have I made any attempts to help improve my situation?
• Is there a possibility things could change or improve?
• Have I exhausted the potential of my current position?
• Is there any potential to transfer to a different team/department
within the organization?
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Understand What Motivates You!
• Know your Motivators:
• What have I liked about the opportunities I’ve had?
• What do I wish I could of changed? What do I wish I had known?
• What’s important to me (regarding a company, project, manager,
culture, job functions, technology, growth potential, benefits,
etc…)?
• What motivates me to do something well?
• In what direction do I want to move?
• What are my priorities (both personally and professionally)?
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Motivation for Looking Around
Why will you be looking for a new opportunity?
Other
Nervous about losing job
More Responsibility
Better Working Conditions
Higher Compensation
0%
10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70%
Percentage
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What was the primary motivator
your employer provided you in 2012?
Promotion /
High Level New Title
Other
4%
Recognition
Remote Work 7%
2%
10%
Training
Opportunities Flexible
3%
Schedules
8%
More $
16%
None
33%
More
Interesting/
Challenging
Work
18%
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Career Concerns: For 2013, what’s the biggest
concern you have about your career?
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
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“You should quit your job when quitting is the next step to a
better life” – Caroline Ceniza-Levine, Career Expert for Forbes
• If you feel underpaid - research your true market value and
try both to negotiate a raise where you are and to find an
alternative higher offer.
• If you feel undervalued – Make your boss aware and ask for
more responsibility, praise or promotion.
• If you no longer enjoy the work - pinpoint exactly what you
do enjoy and try both to arrange your current job to include
more of this
• If your work/ life balance feels out of alignment – Ask to
telecommute, have a flex schedule, negotiate more PTO,
Redefine what is expected of you on nights/Weekends
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Ask for accommodations
(fortune favors the bold)
• Get the basics out of the way (Updated
Resume & LinkedIn Profile, Connect with
References, Quick Temp check on
“Personal” Brand)
• Know Thy Strengths – Develop areas
where you are lacking
• Be Organized and plan a course of action
• Leverage your network and technology
• Do not search on company time –
Continue to be productive
• Do not “Bad mouth” former employers
• Plan for the What Ifs
• Have a nest egg set aside for 9-12 month
of expenses
• Think About Benefits
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It’s time to make a move – now what?
Evaluating your options – Is
the grass truly greener?
• Know your primary motivators, and
avoid “settling” or “jumping the gun.”
Take the time and energy to see how
things match up with YOUR big
picture.
• Take your time and consider multiple
opportunities.
• During the process, do your due
diligence in researching any
prospective companies.
• Interview the interviewers.
• Create a Pro’s and Con’s list for any
viable opportunity.
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Designing your Exit Strategy
“Before you do your victory dance and
unload your pent-up frustration, design a
plan for your resignation. You need a plan to
make the notice period bearable and also
preserve relationships that may benefit you
down the road. Focus on blazing forward in
your career and not burning bridges behind
you.” – Debra Wheatman, ‘How to Plan for
your Resignation’
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How to part ways professionally
• Putting in Notice
•
•
•
•
•
•
Don’t discuss with anyone until you’ve informed Manager
Schedule a meeting with your Manager
Present resignation during the meeting
Remember the standard is still 2 weeks
Stay positive
Minimize details
• Last Couple Weeks – Leave a good legacy
• Don’t take your foot off the pedal; keep your work ethic and production
up
• Do what you can to close out any big projects/tasks
• Document any ongoing projects, issues and key contacts
• Ensure you do a complete knowledge transfer. Offer to train your
replacement.
• Keep open lines of communication with any Managers, Clients, etc… to
ensure all loose ends are tied up and you’re not leaving them in a bind.
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Parting Ways (continued)
• Wrapping Up & Leaving
• Say goodbye to everyone you worked
with closely; who knows when you
might see them again.
• Verbally express your appreciation for
the opportunity they gave you, and
anything you gained from it.
• Exit Interviews = optional
• Continue positivity and showing
appreciation.
• Don’t bash anyone or anything on your
way out the door.
• If you feel the overwhelming need to
criticize, ensure it’s constructive,
balanced and includes a recommended
solution.
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Handling Counter Offers
• Before you succumb to a tempting counteroffer, consider these universal truths:
• Any situation in which an employee is forced
to get an outside offer before the present
employer will suggest a raise, promotion or
better working condition, is suspect.
• You’ll now be considered a fidelity risk.
• Counter-offers could be stall devices to give
your employer time to replace you.
• Your reasons for wanting to leave still exist.
• Counter-offers are only made in, response to
a threat to quit. Will you have to solicit an
offer and threaten to quit every time you
deserve better working conditions?
Counter Offer Stats:
Only 6 out of 100
employees were
still with their company
12 months later.
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References
• 2012 Dice Salary Survey
• Article, “Exit Strategy: How to Plan for your Resignation.”
Debra Wheatman
• Article, “Counter-offer Acceptance: Road to Career Ruin.”
Paul Hanson
• Article, “How to Handle Counter Offers.” Brian Moore
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That’s all folks!
Questions?
Comments?
Additional Suggestions?
Contact Information:
Erica Woods: ewoods@apexsystemsinc.com / 443-539-3320
Brandon Berlett: brandon.berlett@experis.com / 443-703-3840
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