How To Look Around

[ozbound]

So - how do you look for a new, higher-paying job while you're already working at a job you enjoy and wouldn't mind staying at but you're looking for 1) better job security and 2) higher pay and benefits?
I've never done this before but I've applied for a couple other jobs this week just to see what happens, and I'm nervous about juggling potential interviews, etc., with my current work schedule, all while keeping my search on the down-low.
Any strategies would be appreciated!

[gee4]

If you're looking for a reason, you can justify it by saying you need a bigger challenge and a more responsibility.  I have not looked for a job since I started this one in Oct 2003 and I feel that means I am happy, enjoying it and secure.  Probably the best time to look about  is when you are happy in your job, because if nothing else is out there, staying put might just be the right thing.  In the long run, this might be just what you need to satisfy you that your current job is ok for the moment but there is definitely no harm in looking.  It's when you have to look that it becomes a completely different story eg. when temping or a contract job comes to an end.  Also more money doesn't necessarily mean job satisfaction.

G

[sobriquetnic]

Hi there

This is something my partner and I have been discussing today.  

We both work for the same company.  I have worked for them for 13 years, my partner for nearly 3.  Basically, I have worked for them since I left school and have never had another full time job (though I have changed jobs within this company).  

I am extremely loyal to my company and would do anything for them.  I feel they have always been good to me when I have needed them, both professionally and personally.  I love my current job and still have challenges to face withinn it's remit which means I never get bored.  My partner also enjoys his job though doesn't have quite the same history with this company that I do.

We currently rent our home and would love to buy our own in the future.  However, having been to the bank, our current salaries combined would not allow us to get a mortgage for a house, or even a bedsit in this area!  We know that the industry we work in is notoriously low paid and that we could probably do better on this front in another.

We also know that if we moved out of this area, we could not only hopefully find better paid jobs but also find houses to buy which are much more reasonable.  It would also mean that we could move closer to family whereas at the moment we both live at least 2 hours from ANY family.

It's a really tough call.  More so for me I think than my partner.  Add another issue that we would one day like to start a family but at the moment are barely able to manage on joint salaries let alone my partners and perhaps mine part-time.

I know I may have digressed here slightly but we were talking about this on the way home from work on Friday so this post really hit home!   Sorry to ramble and go slightly off topic.

All the best,
Nicola.

[ozbound]

I love to both have and be a sympathetic ear.

Thing is, you hit a nail on the head for me too: if we moved closer to the "big city," (Seattle) not only I but my partner would stand a better chance of finding a better-paying, more stimulating job closer to our chosen fields of interest (which happen to be in music/filmmaking).  But housing costs much more up there, and right now I live comfortably close to most of my family. And the commute, well...I did try working a temp job up there once, and applied for another job at a digital music company. Even though it's not too bad of a car trip on a good day, I know it can be a roaring beast during rush hour, so I opted to take the bus. Not bad--at least there's time to read or study--but even at that, the commute ate up a precious hour and a half out of my day, and wore me out considerably.

So in short, unless it was a really, I mean really FANTASTIC gig I figured it probably wouldn't be worth it to look up there. In the meantime, I'll keep hoping lightening strikes closer to home. If I could just get frigging health insurance!