Step 1: Define the Decision Clearly
One decision I have struggled with recently is whether or not to pursue looking for further employment. This could either be a future decision, or one I make now, depending on what I choose to do. I currently work for a government contractor, and my contract will expire in December of this year. There is a big possibility that my contract will be renewed, but it is not a sure thing.
Step 2: Consider All the Possible Choices
My choices are: I can start looking for employment now, or I can wait until I find out for sure if my contract will be renewed or not. If my contract is not renewed, I will either need to wait and hope I get another one, or start looking for employment at that time so I can continue to provide for my family.
Step 3: Gather All Relevant Information and Evaluate the Pros and Cons of Each Possible Choice
So, to organize this information better, I used the suggestion in the book to make an outline of this information.
Possible Choices | Information needed | Pros | Cons | ||||
| 1. Start looking for employment now | How will my employer view this move? Could I get fired for seeking other employment? Do I have time to look for employment while working full time and going to school?Will I be able to get a job that pays as well as the one I have? | 1. Less stressful than waiting for when I HAVE to get a job2. I have more leverage in job negotiation 3. I can search for jobs when I have time to do so | 1. I could get end up getting a job I don’t like as much as the one I have 2. Longer commute (most likely) since most jobs in my field are found in Salt Lake City | ||||
| 2. Wait and see if contract is renewed, and if not, then wait to see if a new contract comes along | What are the chances that the contract will be renewed? Will I be able to save enough money to last until a new contract comes along? | 1. I will get my full benefits from current job 2. Shows loyalty to my current employer | 1. Will require careful planning to ensure I have the funds necessary to support my family between contracts 2. If I don’t get another contract, I will have wasted lots of time and money waiting when I could have been looking for employment 3. Stressful waiting and hoping for a new contract | ||||
| 3. Wait to see if contract is renewed, and if not, then begin looking for work immediately | What are the chances that the contract will be renewed? Will I have enough money to sustain me until I find new employment? What will the job market be like at that time? | 1. I will get my full benefits from current job 2. No lost time between losing the contract and seeking employment | 1. Stressful looking for a job when you need one to survive 2. Not the best time to look for a job (right around the holidays) |
I want to emphasize the fact that I don’t hate my job, I actually like where I work very much, and I just don’t like the instability of the situation. As the sole means of income for my family (by our choice), I feel the need to have a stable job…though I realize in today’s world, any job out there can be unstable.
Step 4: Select the Choice That Seems to Best Meet the Needs of the Situation
The first choice looks to be the best one for my current situation. There are some unknowns that I need to look at. I will need to budget my time better so that I can fit school, work, employment searching, and family time all in to the hours I have in the day. The good thing is that even if I am offered other employment, I do not have to accept any offers I get unless they look like a good fit and a good situation for me and my family. For me, the ultimate goal of employment is to allow me to consistently provide for the needs of my family (food, shelter, clothing) while being able to spend time with them as well. As long as an employer can give me that, I will be happy.
Step 5: Implement a Plan of Action and Then Monitor the Results, Making Necessary Adjustments
A plan of action would be, for me, searching for job opportunities and applying to a certain number of job ads each week. I think it would be best for me to start out casually searching to see what happens, and then become more involved as time goes on by assessing the responses I get to my applications. It may not take as much time as I think. I believe the most time consuming part will be trying to revamp my resume, and then writing a new one for each job application…those things always take time.
Jared, Military contracts can be stressful when waiting to see if it will be renewed. Writing resumes now days is harder than it used to be. Especially when applying for government jobs since they need to see a certain amount of keywords in it. Here is a great link on federal resumes and what needs to be in them to get you the job you want.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.resume-place.com/2011/02/stop-using-your-private-industry-resume-to-apply-for-federal-jobs-on-usajobs-gov/
Hope this info pertains to your new search.
Analisa
Jared,
ReplyDeleteYou have been thinking about the changes you may face in a logical and realistic manner.
I applaud you for being able to take a step back and analyze how each choice will look and affect you. You have clearly taken the emotion out of the decision that you may or may not have to make.
I hope that you will be able to stay in your current job that you enjoy!
Kattie
I agreee with starting to look now. It will help allievate alot of stress because you can control the time frame more and look at your convienance. If you wait last minute things may be more rushed and you may push yourself into something you dont want to do. But if you start now it make take some pressure off, and allow you to really search and gather information to help you make a better informed decision for where you want to look and what you want to do. Plus it allows you time to browse the different sites and read the different books to really help you with re building your resume. There are so many internet sites, that if you just goodle resume building lots will pop up. There are also many books at the libraries or even ones you can buy at the book stores to help you construct it. I also found they have different resume classes you can attend-- if you go to careerbuilder.com or workforce sites in your state, they will often give information on where and when a resume building class is being offered.
ReplyDeleteGood luck; I hope this helps!
I do agree that beginning to look now and just see what is out there is a good thing. Waiting until the last minute may leave you without any means to support your family and I know that this would be the biggest issue for you. One thing that I think you may want to think about is: is your family supporting your idea about searching for a new job. Does your wife support you? I am sure you have talked it over with her and I am sure she does but if you have not discussed this with her that would play an important part. Also, resume writing is really hard these days and when building one please utilize any class that is offered to allow you to create the best one possible that fits you.
ReplyDeleteGood luck to you on your decision.
Sounds like you have made a good decision in looking now. It's always better to have a plan than to be part of someone else's plan. A couple of options I would share with you...are you on LinkedIn or part of ASTD? There are job and career postings that might be interesting to you. ASTD, in case you aren't familiar, is the American Society of Training and Development. If you aren't a member and want to send me your resume, I could possibly send you information about positions that match your needs. LinkedIn is a free site and there are numerous groups you can join that might help you. Good luck!!
ReplyDeleteDear Jared,
ReplyDeleteI would like to offer you a few suggestions about your decision to look for a new job. I think that you should start looking for a new job now. I think waiting would not be a good choice financially. I think having a backup plan in making a decision like this will be the best thing for you to do. I think if you have another job and if your contract is not renewed you will be glad that you look for a job ahead of time.
Jared,
ReplyDeleteI like the way you have broken down your choices. It was a very systematic and clean. As for the government job market. Comb through the jobs that are currently out there. I'm not sure if you know this or not but there is a freeze on new government hires. If the job has already been posted they are going to fill the job but there are no new job postings allowed. Not sure what the hiring freeze time frame will be, but when I hear something I will let you know. Also will you consider relocation? I know Vandenberg AFB in California was looking for some course developers. The school house there is an all digital classroom, so your developer skills will be a plus. I can't wait to hear that everything has worked out for you!
Cheers,
Danny
I believe in waiting till the last moment to find another job. I think you have a lot going on your plate already with school and work. Can you collect unemployment if you contract doesn’t get renewed? I am on a new contact myself but love my job so much I would never look for another job unless I was forced to. I hope this helps.
ReplyDeleteHi Jared! I think that putting your feelers out in the job market is a great idea! It is always a good idea to keep your resume and interviewing skills fresh, even if you're really not interested in taking another position. A few years ago, I jumped ship from a company and job that I absolutely LOVED because I feared being laid off. If I would have stayed I would have been laid off but immediately picked up by the Governments contractor of choice, staying in the same position but making even more money! I made the wrong decision, I should have waited it out. It is definitely a hard decision to make and since you love your job it makes it that much harder! Good luck to you! If you do end up getting laid off, make sure to look into the contractor that won the bid and see if you could work for them! :-)
ReplyDelete