How to Know When It’s Time to Change Jobs

Man walking with briefcase

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the old adage is correct: people have about 12 jobs in their lifetime. Even disregarding high school odd-jobs, it is not uncommon for professionals to change jobs. Gone are the days of someone working for one company their entire life. You shouldn’t be afraid to change jobs, and here are some things to consider to know when it’s time.

Safety. The first and foremost reason to leave a job is if your safety is in question. This doesn’t just mean a dilapidated building; although, that’s reason enough to question your employment. If your mental health and safety is suffering, you’re fearful of a co-worker or supervisor, or any other reason that threatens your well-being, it’s OK to leave. No job is worth your health and safety. I had a job where after a few weeks I dreaded waking up and having to go in to the office, and after re-writing my resignation letter for the third time, I decided it was time to leave.

Complacency. “If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room” (Anonymous). If you’re feeling disconnected from your job, or have lost your passion for your field, it’s time for a new challenge. There will always be time when work feels like work, but if you haven’t felt energized or invigorated in a while, it may be time to move on.

Impact. If you feel undervalued, unappreciated, or you’re on autopilot, you should look for a new opportunity. Many people also want to make an impact on the community through their work, so if the organization’s mission doesn’t fit yours, don’t feel obligated to stick around.

Daydreaming. If you’re spending more time thinking about what to do next, and not focused on what you’re doing now then what’s stopping you from moving on? If you dream of working for a large corporation and you’re currently working in a small non-profit, start working on your resume to apply to corporate jobs.

If you think it’s time to leave your current position, do your best not to do so until you have something else lined up. It can be tempting to quit in a dramatic fashion, but you don’t want to burn bridges and you don’t want to be without a paycheck.

If you are starting to look for new work be sure to check out PRSA’s Jobcenter at https://jobs.prsa.org/ and use the Career Resources at https://jobs.prsa.org/career-resources/ to bolster your resume, interview skills, and preparation for career advancement.

Landis Tindell

Author: Landis Tindell is currently the Communications Coordinator for the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education in Oklahoma City, OK. He serves as the Professional Development Day committee chair for PRSA-OKC, the treasurer for the PRSA Southwest District, and as the Chair-Elect for the National New Pros Committee. Landis holds a master’s degree in Strategic Communication from Texas Tech and a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from Harding University. Landis was named a 2019 PRNEWS 30 Under 30 Rising Star andwas the 2018 Young Professional of the Year by PRSA-OKC.

 

Photo by Marten Bjork on Unsplash

“Getting Involved in PRSA” from a New Pro

Getting fully involved in PRSA may seem like a scary thing – joining a new organization, let alone trying to be active in it isn’t always easy. If you’re anything like me, you may not feel like you should interject because you’re a new young professional and don’t feel like you have enough experience to be involved with practitioners of 15+ years. I am here to tell you that PRSA at the local, district, and national level are ready to welcome you with open arms! They are always looking for young professionals to be involved, because young professionals are the future of the profession and the organization.

If you’re interested in starting to do more than just attend meetings or follow PRSA social media channels, here’s how you can start!


Local Level

The first and probably most impactful way to get involved is to start with your local chapter. As a member of the Oklahoma City chapter and committee chair, my involvement got started when I moved to Oklahoma City in 2017. After attending a couple meetings, I decided I wanted to help serve the chapter. If you already have a connection with someone on the board, reach out to them and ask if there is somewhere you can serve. If you don’t know anyone (like I did), contact the chapter president. They’ll know exactly where the chapter needs the most help and will be willing to get you connected with the right people. Also, don’t forget to attend as many meetings/events as possible so you become a recognizable figure in your area!


District Level

Every PRSA chapter belongs to a district. Here in OKC, we belong to the Southwest District. When we’re able to attend in-person events again, keep an eye out for or ask your chapter leadership about district conferences. Most of the districts hold them annually, and it’s a great way to meet PR professionals in your area and get connected with all sorts of people. Because of my attendance at the last few Southwest District conferences, I am currently serving as the Treasurer of the Southwest District and am presenting at ICON with one of the connections I made!


National Level

There are many ways you can serve at the national level. Although it’s usually best to have some experience serving at lower levels, it never hurts to reach out to someone at the national level. For example, we are always looking for people to write for this newsletter and write for our blog. You may even want to submit something to Strategies & Tactics (PRSA’s national publication). If you’re interested in serving on the National New Pros Committee (I am the 2020 Membership Chair), reach out to one of us! We’ll be happy to point you in the right direction. Eventually you may even have the opportunity to serve on the National Executive Board.

As you can see, there are many ways to be involved in PRSA. It all starts with just asking! I highly suggest you attend as many meetings, conferences, and events as possible; especially ICON. If you’re not sure you can afford membership or conferences, check with your local chapter or district about scholarships. Also, ask your employer about paying for your membership – I promise you it’s a great investment and offers a multitude of professional development opportunities. The worst anyone can say is ‘no’ and you’ll never know until you ask!

How do you plan to get involved? Comment below or connect on LinkedIn to share your thoughts.

Landis Tindell

Landis Tindell is currently the Communications Coordinator for the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education in Oklahoma City, OK. He serves as the Professional Development Day committee chair for PRSA-OKC, the treasurer for the PRSA Southwest District, and as the Membership Chair for the National New Pros Committee.

Landis holds a Bachelor in Public Relations from Harding University and is pursuing a Masters Degree in Strategic Communication from Texas Tech University. Landis was named a 2019 PRNEWS 30 Under 30 Rising Star and the 2018 Young Professional of the Year by PRSA-OKC.

LinkedIn: Landis Tindell