This pandemic has brought about many changes in our lives. In addition to working from home (if you are lucky enough to be able to work from home), people are finding themselves home schooling children, finding creative ways to be entertained, and doing lots of home project. They are also finding time to reflect because there are fewer outside distractions. People that I have been working with are asking the question, “Am I in the right job and/or am I in the right company?” Pre-pandemic these questions may have come up, but you might have squashed them a bit because you were “too busy.” Now is a great opportunity to take the time to consider where you are and where you want to be.
Let’s dive into the question, “Am I at the right company?” Here are some questions to ask yourself:
Do my values align with the company values?
This is an important question and you need to understand what your core values are. Take a few minutes to think about the 3 or 4 values that drive how you act and behave as you do. Are they in alignment with the company that you work for? Is the leadership across the company or organization living those values? For instance, if openness and transparency are values that the company says it holds, is there a good strategy and practice of sharing and communicating up, down and across the organization? There should be.
Does the leadership inspire you to want to do your best work?
This is very personal because each person is inspired by different things. Is there a vision and mission that provides direction and aligns with the work that you do? I was coaching in a credit card company where people were inspired by the company’s work in providing purchasing power to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) around the globe. Who would have thought that that this is how a credit card company inspired its employees. What is it that you are looking for in your leadership and are you seeing that?
Is there still room for your growth and development within the company?
This may or may not mean that you want to climb the ladder, however, most people that I work with want to learn new skills and do work that makes a difference in meeting the objectives of the company. Do you have a manager that supports your efforts to take on new projects, and new skills? When you take the initiative to innovate or improve, is it recognized and welcomed? It is important that your manager support your efforts and finds ways to help you grow and develop. If your manager is not doing this, are there other managers in the company who can help you?
During this pandemic I hear people also say perhaps this isn’t the right time to be looking for a job, or I should just be grateful that I have a job. Gratitude is always important in our lives. However, if you believe the company that you are working for is not the right company for you, there are steps that you can take to look for that new company without immediately making a move. Build your criteria for the kind of company you want to work for and then do some research on companies that meet your criteria. Search for people through your network, or on LinkedIn who are part of those companies, and set up a virtual coffee with them or do an informational interview. Check out Glassdoor to understand what people are saying about your choice of companies. Talk to your friends and family about companies and organizations they work for and enjoy. Stay connected so when opportunities arise, you are prepared. Yes, it takes a bit of work, but it is definitely worth the time invested.
Next blog we will discuss “If this is the right company, am I in the right job?” So, tune in for next week’s blog.
