The Five Things to Remember Before You

Change JobsAndrew P. Valenti MSc., PMP

PMI Mass Bay Career ClinicMarch 3rd, 2011

The Job Search Corkscrew

Initiate Job Search

Peruse job boards

Apply for Job

Interview

Negotiate Offer

Start Job

The Two Year Itch

Year 1: Learn Job

Year 2: Perform Job

Year 3: Decision Time

The Job Stage Cycle

Cultivating

AbundanceDormancy

Sowing

The Job Stage Cycle

Cultivating

AbundanceDormancy

Early yearsDiscovery/ExcitementGrowth SpurtInfatuation

The Job Stage Cycle

Hard workDemandingJob MasterySacrifice

AbundanceDormancy

Sowing

The Job Stage Cycle

Cultivating

ExcitingRichness & MaturityReaping Benefits

Dormancy

Sowing

The Job Stage Cycle

Cultivating

Abundance

Apparent scarcityFewer demandsRegrouping

Sowing

What Can “Reset” The Cycle?

Attempting to skip a stageSudden life changes, e.g. health, marriageSeismic shifts in the economy/job marketPersonal choicesLoss of job

The Personal Mission Statement

A personal mission statement is a formal, short, written statement of the purpose of an individual. The mission statement should guide the actions of the individual, spell out his or her overall goal, provide a sense of direction, and guide decision-making.

My Personal Mission Statement

To be a “scholar-practitioner” in educational technology, creating value for the global business community through original research on how international students learn business management concepts which will inform the next generation of teaching, learning, & collaboration platforms.

My Personal Objectives

Obtain a full-time job higher education, Select a doctoral program that will support my intended

area of research Figure out how to fund the career transition/degree

program Obtain technology based project management

appointments, Receive regular teaching appointments in higher

education, Maintain PMP certification, Become knowledgeable in several learning management

systems platforms, etc.

Know What Motivates You!

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs,Herzberg’s Theory of MotivationMcClelland’s Theory of Needs

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Herzberg’s Motivation Theory

#5- Research the Environmental Factors

Factors◦ Cultural and Social◦ Organizational Structure◦ Employee Profiles◦ Technical Environment◦ Political

Discovery◦Talk to current and former employees◦Check social networks◦ Poke around the Web for commentary but take all company

criticism with a grain of salt

#4 – What is the Cost-Benefit?

By taking this job, what am I giving up?What about retirement, defined-

contribution and other benefits with a vesting period?

What is the true cost of vacation, sick-leave, personal and company holidays?

How do the health benefits compare?Consider the time value of money

#3 – Don’t Be Desperate for Change!

Beware of the “Grass is Greener” syndrome

Consider the people you’ll be working with; you might be there for a long time

Remember that the honeymoon will inevitably end

# 2 – Consider the Strategic Fit

Does the job support my personal mission?

Perform a “fit gap-analysis” against objectives

Consider your time horizon: 1, 3, 5 yrs

#1 – Are All Internal Opportunities Exhausted?

Explore your objectives with your bossConsider asking for an assessment of your

strengths and weaknessesCraft your job to meet your

objectives/skills

Drivers by Job Stage

Sowing Cultivating Abundance Dormancy

# 5 - Have You Considered Environmental Factors?

Depends on What

Motivates You

Depends on What

Motivates You

Depends on What

Motivates You

Depends on What

Motivates You

#4 - Have You Considered the Cost-Benefit?

Vesting Level

Vesting Level

Budget Check-up

New Budget?

#3 - Are You Desperate for Change?

Warning Sign

Warning Sign Warning Sign Life Stage

Needs#2- Is it a StrategicFit?

Personal Mission

Alignment

Personal Mission

Alignment

Personal Mission

Check-up

New Personal Mission?

#1 - Have You Exhausted Internal Opportunities?

Availability, Suitability,

Mobility

Availability, Suitability,

Mobility

Availability, Suitability,

MobilityN/A

Key Points

Start with a Personal Mission StatementCreate Personal Objectives (use SMART)Know What Motivates YouConsider a personality sorter such as

Meyers-Briggs

Key Points

Identify Which Life-Stage You are InConsider the Five ThingsIdentify what drives your job decision at

each life stageConsider job search a Project!

◦Use your PM Processes and tools