I'm getting the job itch...

[vtdiamond]

I will have been at my current job for 2 years this summer.  As most of you know, I work for a great company.  I know my position pretty well now and am the lead person on my team.  I have great hours and benefits.

However, every 2-3 years that I am in a job I start to get the "itch" to see what else is out there.  I'd love to find something that would be a shorter commute, pay better and have more advancement opportunities. It looks like my best options for that would be to make the move to a pharma/biotech company as most of their offices are in Cambridge or out in the burbs by me.  Overall, I feel like I could be doing more, I'm kind of bored at my job now.  I'm thinking I should probably also read Lean In sometime soon.

I've started looking for what's out there and have applied for a few possibilities. What do you guys think?  Am I nuts for leaving my current place?  Any recs on which companies to look at vs. those to stay away from?

[vtdiamond]

Thanks Rock!

I also feel like I've made a lot of lateral moves with jobs and really should step it up a bit, based on age and experience.

[preppy]

It never hurts to look! I have been casually applying for jobs myself. I used to work in pharma, what types of positions are you looking for?

Also what is Lean In? Should I read this?

[vtdiamond]

I'm looking clinical trials operations positions.

Lean In is Sheryl Sandberg's (FB exec) book about why women aren't in higher jobs.

www.amazon.com/Lean-In-Women-Work-Will/dp/0385349947

[hw77]

Definitely Lean In and hit the gas

I'm not sure your age but I know I'll be working like another 30 years so to me I'm in the same boat, I cant be bored in a job and 2-3 years seems to be my limit as well. Maybe when I'm 50 or so I'll be able to sit in a job and coast but right now I cant do that.

To me, the company and culture are so important so its hard to jump ship when that part is great. But as everyone says the best way to advance is to jump ship (salary and title)and who knows in 2-3 years you could end up back at this company.

I read a lot of reviews on Glassdoor. I also check through the 100 best company articles and try and see what each of those companies offer. Their is a lot in Cambridge for sure, some big companies and some up and coming but I dont think pharma is going anywhere around here soon so I think its a great industry to get into.

[vtdiamond]

Thanks hkw, fantastic advice. I've spent a lot of time on Glassdoor already checking out salaries and company reviews, and just applied for a senior level position which I am qualified for!

[hw77]

Do you like managing people? I managed people once and it was fine, but I didnt love it. And I'm finding the Senior jobs that I think I want dont exist as much. I just finished my MBA and have a good job but need the next step but i dont want the next step to have direct reports (this is probably opposite of leaning in, but I just want to be an 'awesome' individual contributor and not deal with others) some companies have 'principal' roles which appear to be like the top level of individual contributor after Senior but its hard figuring it out amongst companies.

Good luck. Your in a great position as you are in no rush to do anything and can just apply and interview and find a good fit if it comes along. Most articles I read say you should always be looking obviously I dont do that until I get an itch.

[vtdiamond]

Good question. In my current position I am the senior person in my group so other members of my team come to me with questions which I do not mind. I'd be fine with continuing that or helping to train new people but I don't think I would want to have to supervise people at this point.

That is a good question to consider though as I do my search. And you're right, I can certainly take my time.

[noodleoo]

It is definitely worth looking around! Is there any opportunity to advance in your current company?

But just make sure you realistically weigh the pros and cons. It sounds like you like your current job. I just did a job change and I'm unhappy. Part of me regrets leaving my last job. But it was time, I'd been there 10 years. It just sucks to be looking again so soon.

[LoveTrains]

I was really, really career driven when I was in my 20s. For the first five years of my career I had three different jobs, each one was a promotion and they all lasted from 1-2 years (at the same university).

Then I left that for a brief, 18 month stint at another non-profit.

Now I have been in my current position for almost four years and it is JUST now starting to feel a little stale. I think 2 years per job is OK in the beginning, but I know that in my field you get the major side eye if you worked for 5 organizations in 10 years.

I am also at the point where while things are getting a little stale, at the end of the day I have amazing benefits and am arguably overpaid due to generous raises each year, so it makes it very comfortable to stay.

All of this is to say that I think, depending on your field, as you get older I think you have to be cautious about job hopping every 2 years. Again, this might be field specific, and its totally expected in my field in your early 20s but then is frowned upon.

[hw77]

I certainly agree LoveTrains.

I worked for a tech company right out of college then went to a university realized the pace and culture werent for me and went back to tech (different company then the first). That 3rd job I applied for semi out of frustration and to test the waters and had a phone interview within 4 days and the whole process was so quick and the job offer amazing that I put in my notice within a month of applying and no referral.

All in all I'm not suggesting to keep jumping all around but if you feel stale and their is no room for growth then its worth looking. And potentially interviewing at other companies will make one realize that they do have it good and should just find a way to enjoy the day to day again.

And certainly its different by industry and field. No matter what "Lean In" suggests I know when I have kids my perception and drive for my job will shift and I'll probably want a nice steady job that I sometimes might feel bored and certainly if its well paying with good benefits and flexibility that I have now then I certainly wont be looking.

[nk]

I always get the itch around the 2-3 yr mark. My family (2 teachers & a nurse) think I'm insane for changing jobs EVER. I always make more $ with every move and am definitely happier with each move. One of my current bosses (a guy) does the same thing. He said as long as you're excelling at each job and getting good references why shouldn't you take on a new challenge when the opportunity comes up.

[vtdiamond]

Thank you all, you have given me good things to think about.

I think I'm ok as far as job hopping. In VT I was with the same company for 6 years - 2 years in one dept. and 4 years in another dept. Then when I moved to MA I have been with this same company for 2 years.

In our office there seems to be a lot of turnover with people moving on to either grad schools or to work elsewhere. One thing that is bothering me is that I'm one of the oldest people in my role so feel like I really should be doing more at this point in my life.

[5kcandlesinthewind]

Are there other opportunities within your organization? If not, then I don't think it hurts to look. Even if you got offered another job, there's no law that you have to take it. But, if you leave now, I would only take a job that has the potential for growth/movement within the organization.

I feel you, though. I also get bored easily, and the longest I'd had a job before this one was 4 years. The rest were all 1-2 years max, with the shortest stint at 7 months (but that was an extreme circumstance). I've been here 7 1/2 years, only because I've been promoted multiple times and the work has (mostly) evolved. I think everyone on this board knows how not thrilled I am with my job on a daily basis, but even as much as I hate it, I wouldn't jump ship for something I only see myself doing for a year or two, or that has no growth potential.