Amanda Rose: why now is the best time to look for a new job

Being permanently on the job hunt is good for your career – workplace expert Amanda Rose explains.

When should you start looking for a different job? The answer is always “now”.

Every week, you should be searching for jobs, even in your ideal job.

The biggest mistake people make is not looking for their next job until there is unresolvable conflict or not a pathway to go up or they are sick of their current role.

Any job looks wonderful when you are starting to dislike the one you are in.

If you are looking on every platform, your ideal dream job may pop up in six months or a year and you will be ready.

Keeping your eyes open for your dream job does not make you disloyal, Amanda Rose says. Picture: Monique Harmer

In the meantime, there are also bonuses – you are practising your interview skills and updating your resume and your LinkedIn.

And it makes sure the next job you take is the one you really want so you are going to add value to your life and to the company.

Looking for work elsewhere does not mean you are being disloyal.

With that logic, you will stay in the company you are in until you die.

It’s not a relationship, you are not looking for something better while you are married – it’s a job.

If there is a better opportunity out there for you or your family or life, you take it.

You can respectfully resign, not say a bad word about them and still be considered loyal.

A massive bonus of looking for your next job while still in a job is that when you go for an interview, because you have the security of a job, you can ask for more money and bluff and give it a shot.

By being permanently on the job market, you will have opportunities to practice your interview skills. Picture: iStock

You can say “This is what I am worth” and if they say “no” you just go back to your job.

It’s good practice to see your value and could be an opportunity to move up or into a different industry as well.

You can also say to hiring managers at other companies “In the future, I am looking for this type of role so if something comes up, let me know”.

If you are worried about it getting back to your current employer, just say “confidentially this is my plan”.

Alternatively, you can ask your current employer “Is there any way for me to move forward?” and if not, you can say “OK., in the next six months I will be looking for another job”.

If your current boss finds out you are looking elsewhere, two things could happen: they turn into a horrible person or they offer a pay rise.

When people go for jobs, they are so worried about everyone else and don’t look at themselves as a product.

You are the one who is going to be hitting KPIs, you are the commodity.

An employer either pays what you are worth or they do not.

Amanda Rose is a business consultant, workplace trainer, LinkedIn influencer and founder of six organisations – and now she is tackling your career questions for SMART Daily every week.

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