ATD Blog
Should I Stay or Should I Go?
Thu Sep 08 2016
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We’re very excited about a new book we’re publishing this fall, Find Your Fit: A Practical Guide to Landing a Job You’ll Love . The book covers all aspects of finding a job that suits you—from identifying your skills and interests to interviewing and salary negotiations. There’s even a chapter on finding international employment!
We’re very excited about a new book we’re publishing this fall, Find Your Fit: A Practical Guide to Landing a Job You’ll Love. The book covers all aspects of finding a job that suits you—from identifying your skills and interests to interviewing and salary negotiations. There’s even a chapter on finding international employment!
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The book is a collaborative effort between ATD and 16 career coaches who provide practical advice on a wide range of topics that are pertinent to professionals in any field. Whether you are actively seeking a new position or just thinking about a change, this book has valuable information for you.
The book is a collaborative effort between ATD and 16 career coaches who provide practical advice on a wide range of topics that are pertinent to professionals in any field. Whether you are actively seeking a new position or just thinking about a change, this book has valuable information for you.
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In chapter 12, written by Marilyn Feldstein, we included this quiz to help you diagnose the reasons you might be dissatisfied with your job. Take a few minutes to see how your job stacks up and read on to learn how you might improve your situation.
In chapter 12, written by Marilyn Feldstein, we included this quiz to help you diagnose the reasons you might be dissatisfied with your job. Take a few minutes to see how your job stacks up and read on to learn how you might improve your situation.
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Answer yes if the statement is true for you most of the time.
Answer yes if the statement is true for you most of the time.
Job Satisfaction Quiz
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Content 1. Do you enjoy most of the tasks and activities that you perform on a daily basis? 1. Do you enjoy most of the tasks and activities that you perform on a daily basis? | Content YES / NO YES / NO |
Content 2. Do you feel reasonably challenged by the tasks required by your job? 2. Do you feel reasonably challenged by the tasks required by your job? | Content YES / NO YES / NO |
Content 3. Do you like working with the people at your organization? 3. Do you like working with the people at your organization? | Content YES / NO YES / NO |
Content 4. Do you feel that you fit in with the culture at your company? 4. Do you feel that you fit in with the culture at your company? | Content YES / NO YES / NO |
Content 5. Do you get clear direction and support from your boss most of the time? 5. Do you get clear direction and support from your boss most of the time? | Content YES / NO YES / NO |
Content 6. Do you respect and trust your boss? 6. Do you respect and trust your boss? | Content YES / NO YES / NO |
Content 7. Are you proud of the products and services your company provides? 7. Are you proud of the products and services your company provides? | Content YES / NO YES / NO |
Content 8. Is your company on solid financial ground and moving in the right direction? 8. Is your company on solid financial ground and moving in the right direction? | Content YES / NO YES / NO |
Content 9. Is your work environment safe and conducive to getting your work done? 9. Is your work environment safe and conducive to getting your work done? | Content YES / NO YES / NO |
Content 10. Do you feel that your work life and personal life are reasonably in balance? 10. Do you feel that your work life and personal life are reasonably in balance? | Content YES / NO YES / NO |
Content 11. Do you receive reasonable compensation for your work, including benefits? 11. Do you receive reasonable compensation for your work, including benefits? | Content YES / NO YES / NO |
Content 12. Do you think there are growth opportunities for you at your company? 12. Do you think there are growth opportunities for you at your company? | Content YES / NO YES / NO |
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Now, count up the number of yes answers to get your score and review your results below.
Now, count up the number of yes answers to get your score and review your results below.
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10-12: If you answered yes to 10 or more of the questions, you are in a good situation. Review your no answers and work on making changes at your current organization that will address the issues you uncovered.
10-12: If you answered yes to 10 or more of the questions, you are in a good situation. Review your no answers and work on making changes at your current organization that will address the issues you uncovered.
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7-9: You answered yes to a majority of the questions, so you still may be able to salvage the situation. Continue reading to determine if you can resolve the problems.
7-9: You answered yes to a majority of the questions, so you still may be able to salvage the situation. Continue reading to determine if you can resolve the problems.
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0-6: You answered no to at least half the questions, so a change is probably in order. Read on to determine how to address some of your concerns.
0-6: You answered no to at least half the questions, so a change is probably in order. Read on to determine how to address some of your concerns.
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If you answered no to the questions numbered:
If you answered no to the questions numbered:
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1 or 2, you may have a skills gap
1 or 2, you may have a skills gap
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3 or 4, you may have a culture clash
3 or 4, you may have a culture clash
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5 or 6, you probably have a manager mismatch
5 or 6, you probably have a manager mismatch
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7 or 8, you may be in a values bind
7 or 8, you may be in a values bind
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9 or 10, your work environment may be the problem
9 or 10, your work environment may be the problem
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11 or 12, you are experiencing a failure to thrive.
11 or 12, you are experiencing a failure to thrive.
Skills Gap
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One of the most common reasons that people leave their jobs is that they dislike or don’t feel challenged by the daily tasks they have to perform at work. If this sounds like you, ask yourself the following:
One of the most common reasons that people leave their jobs is that they dislike or don’t feel challenged by the daily tasks they have to perform at work. If this sounds like you, ask yourself the following:
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Do you feel incompetent at work? If you feel incompetent at work, it may be that your natural skill set is simply not a good fit for the job. Consider whether additional training could solve the problem or if the tasks just feel beyond you.
Do you feel incompetent at work? If you feel incompetent at work, it may be that your natural skill set is simply not a good fit for the job. Consider whether additional training could solve the problem or if the tasks just feel beyond you.
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Do you think you are the wrong person for the job? It’s possible that your personality type may not be a good fit for the position. Consider taking a personality assessment to determine if this is contributing to your problem.
Do you think you are the wrong person for the job? It’s possible that your personality type may not be a good fit for the position. Consider taking a personality assessment to determine if this is contributing to your problem.
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Do you find the tasks boring? As a next step, determine what skills you most enjoy using by conducting a skills inventory. Then explore whether there are any opportunities that you could pursue at your own company.
Do you find the tasks boring? As a next step, determine what skills you most enjoy using by conducting a skills inventory. Then explore whether there are any opportunities that you could pursue at your own company.
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Do you feel underutilized or underemployed? If you like your company, talk with your manager about stretch assignments or look into opportunities to move up or make a lateral move to gain skills.
Do you feel underutilized or underemployed? If you like your company, talk with your manager about stretch assignments or look into opportunities to move up or make a lateral move to gain skills.
Culture Clash
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Another common reason people leave their jobs is that they think they don’t fit in with the people or corporate culture at work. If you think this might be your problem, ask yourself the following questions:
Another common reason people leave their jobs is that they think they don’t fit in with the people or corporate culture at work. If you think this might be your problem, ask yourself the following questions:
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Do you dislike most of the people at your company or just a few? If you don’t get along with those in your department, but there are other departments with people you do like, consider exploring a transfer.
Do you dislike most of the people at your company or just a few? If you don’t get along with those in your department, but there are other departments with people you do like, consider exploring a transfer.
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Are many of the people you work with abrasive or abusive? If this type of behavior is more of an exception than the rule, you should speak with the HR department or take advantage of Employee Assistance Program services if your company offers them.
Are many of the people you work with abrasive or abusive? If this type of behavior is more of an exception than the rule, you should speak with the HR department or take advantage of Employee Assistance Program services if your company offers them.
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Do you believe that you don’t fit in at the company because of your age, race, or ethnicity? Are there few employees “like you” at your company? Work on building relationships with people at your company so that you get to know them on a more personal level.
Do you believe that you don’t fit in at the company because of your age, race, or ethnicity? Are there few employees “like you” at your company? Work on building relationships with people at your company so that you get to know them on a more personal level.
Manager Mismatch
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Having a bad boss is one of the most common reasons people leave their jobs. If you think you may have a manager mismatch. Consider these solutions before leaving the company:
Having a bad boss is one of the most common reasons people leave their jobs. If you think you may have a manager mismatch. Consider these solutions before leaving the company:
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Is your manager open to feedback about your working relationship? If you generally like and trust your boss and your skills are valued, she may not realize that you prefer a different style of supervision. Schedule a time to talk that is not during a performance review to explain what you like and don’t like about how you work together.
Is your manager open to feedback about your working relationship? If you generally like and trust your boss and your skills are valued, she may not realize that you prefer a different style of supervision. Schedule a time to talk that is not during a performance review to explain what you like and don’t like about how you work together.
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Have you examined your part in the working relationship? It’s important to be honest with yourself about your relationship with your boss. Before meeting with your boss, take some time to consider what you might do to improve your relationship.
Have you examined your part in the working relationship? It’s important to be honest with yourself about your relationship with your boss. Before meeting with your boss, take some time to consider what you might do to improve your relationship.
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Are there other departments or areas in the company with better leaders? If you believe there are other leaders within the company who would be a better fit for you and they have a need for your skill set, you may be able to approach HR about a transfer or seek out a mentor who may provide some insight on other departments.
Are there other departments or areas in the company with better leaders? If you believe there are other leaders within the company who would be a better fit for you and they have a need for your skill set, you may be able to approach HR about a transfer or seek out a mentor who may provide some insight on other departments.
Values Bind
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Another common reason that people leave their jobs is that they are concerned about the company’s future or believe that the company is on the wrong track. Ask yourself the following questions:
Another common reason that people leave their jobs is that they are concerned about the company’s future or believe that the company is on the wrong track. Ask yourself the following questions:
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Are you comfortable with the mission of the company? If you don’t believe in the company’s mission, or are opposed to it, you may be experiencing a values bind. Lack of alignment with your company’s purpose makes it difficult to stay committed to your job.
Are you comfortable with the mission of the company? If you don’t believe in the company’s mission, or are opposed to it, you may be experiencing a values bind. Lack of alignment with your company’s purpose makes it difficult to stay committed to your job.
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Do you believe in the products and services that the company provides? Similarly, if you don’t believe in the company’s products and services, it is difficult to do a good job unless you are in a position to influence change.
Do you believe in the products and services that the company provides? Similarly, if you don’t believe in the company’s products and services, it is difficult to do a good job unless you are in a position to influence change.
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Are you concerned about the financial health or direction of the company? If you are worried about the financial health of your company or strongly believe that it is headed in the wrong direction, you should consider looking for a new position.
Are you concerned about the financial health or direction of the company? If you are worried about the financial health of your company or strongly believe that it is headed in the wrong direction, you should consider looking for a new position.
Work Environment Issues
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People often leave their jobs if they find the environment to be a poor fit with the way they work. Ask yourself the following questions before exiting:
People often leave their jobs if they find the environment to be a poor fit with the way they work. Ask yourself the following questions before exiting:
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Does the job and workplace support my desired lifestyle? Think about what is causing you the most distress. Is it the number of hours you are expected to work? Your commute? Lack of flexibility in your schedule? You may be able to negotiate some of these issues with your employer. Before leaving a job or company you otherwise like, try discussing your concerns with your boss or HR.
Does the job and workplace support my desired lifestyle? Think about what is causing you the most distress. Is it the number of hours you are expected to work? Your commute? Lack of flexibility in your schedule? You may be able to negotiate some of these issues with your employer. Before leaving a job or company you otherwise like, try discussing your concerns with your boss or HR.
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Does the physical environment help me do my best work? If there are aspects of the physical environment that are interfering with your work, discuss them with your boss before looking for a new position.
Does the physical environment help me do my best work? If there are aspects of the physical environment that are interfering with your work, discuss them with your boss before looking for a new position.
Failure to Thrive
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Employees commonly leave their jobs when they believe they are not being compensated fairly or there are few opportunities for them to grow. If this sounds like you, ask yourself the following:
Employees commonly leave their jobs when they believe they are not being compensated fairly or there are few opportunities for them to grow. If this sounds like you, ask yourself the following:
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Do you know your fair market value or what comparable companies are paying people in your field? If you are a high performer but believe you are being paid below your fair market value, it helps to do your research before discussing a raise with your boss.
Do you know your fair market value or what comparable companies are paying people in your field? If you are a high performer but believe you are being paid below your fair market value, it helps to do your research before discussing a raise with your boss.
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Does your company have a career or leadership development program? Ask to be included in the program and take advantage of the growth opportunities that are provided.
Does your company have a career or leadership development program? Ask to be included in the program and take advantage of the growth opportunities that are provided.
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Are there other opportunities at your company that might be a fit? If you like your company but are worried that your job is a dead end, talk with your boss about stretch assignments or determine if there are other opportunities at your current company that will help you gain skills.
Are there other opportunities at your company that might be a fit? If you like your company but are worried that your job is a dead end, talk with your boss about stretch assignments or determine if there are other opportunities at your current company that will help you gain skills.
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For more information on addressing these types of challenges and finding a job that suits you, order your copy of Find Your Fit , available now for pre-order: https://www.td.org/product/p/111616 .
For more information on addressing these types of challenges and finding a job that suits you, order your copy of Find Your Fit, available now for pre-order: https://www.td.org/product/p/111616.