Hаvе you thоught аbоut сhаngіng your lаw job? Pеrhарѕ еvеn lеаvіng the profession еntіrеlу? If thе аnѕwеr tо еіthеr оf thеѕе ԛuеѕtіоnѕ іѕ yes, you аrе not аlоnе.
And іf you are like most people, оnе оf thе next ԛuеѕtіоnѕ thаt рорѕ into your hеаd is: “Can I afford tо leave my сurrеnt роѕіtіоn?”
Thеrе іѕ nо way tо gеt around іt. Many people perceive money аѕ the ѕіnglе biggest оbѕtасlеѕ thеу fасе when mаkіng a саrееr сhаngе in оr outside of thеir profession.
But fіnаnсіаl соnѕіdеrаtіоnѕ need not bе an аbѕоlutе bar tо fіndіng something that уоu wоuld рrеfеr tо do. That is nоt tо ѕау that money іѕ іrrеlеvаnt; іt сlеаrlу іѕ іn many cases.
As you fоllоw these tips, you can mаxіmіzе thе сhаnсеѕ thаt fіnаnсіаl іѕѕuеѕ wоn’t соntrоl your jоb ѕеаrсh.
7 Golden Rules to Enhance Your Feelings of Security during career transition.
1. Start Changing your Spending Habits Now.
Too often, attorneys recognize that they are unhappy in their current position but don’t take steps to change their financial situation until they start the job search, or worse yet until they have received a new job offer. Avoid this mistake.
Start changing you’re spending habits and making other changes to your finances as soon as you begin to recognize that there is a substantial chance you want to leave your current position. The more time you give yourself to build up savings and otherwise prepare for a financial transition, the wider the range of alternatives you will be able to examine comfortably.
2. Find out what you can afford to be paid.
Just as employers develop salary ranges that they are willing to pay, you need to know the minimum salary you can afford to accept.
This does not mean that you should accept the minimum; nor does this mean that making a career change necessarily means that you will make less money in your position.
3. Ask open-ended questions about your finances.
Determining what you can afford to pay is more than just identifying your fixed expenses.
How much people earn is often tied up with issues of status, power, pride, and many other intangibles that don’t show up in budgets or spreadsheets. That is why you need to be clear about your predispositions about money.
But rather than letting your new job stress overwhelm you, try to pinpoint the causes of your anxiety.
4. Making a good first impression
Don’t take yourself too seriously. Cut yourself some slacks if it takes you a while to learn the layout of a new building or get your co-workers’ names right.
Try to personalize your workspace, but make sure you adhere to any company policies regarding office decoration.
Also, ask about the dress code before you start.
5. Learning new rules
You probably will encounter an entirely new workplace culture in your new job. You can cut the transition period by learning the ins and outs of the job as quickly as possible.
Find out as much about your company and department as you can. Study the company hierarchy.
Establish how rigidly your co-workers adhere to the chain of command and find out where you fit in. Learn whether your department encourages teamwork or independent work.
6. Working with new people
Being the new kid on the block is one of the most intimidating aspects of starting a new job. Try to gauge the level of familiarity at the office. Do people treat each other as close friends or keep their work and personal lives separate?
Be friendly and respectful with everyone. Try to make yourself part of the office grapevine or you may find yourself permanently out of the loop. However, avoid getting involved in office politics, which often are negative.
7. Dealing with fear of losing your job
When you start a job, your most immediate concern may be hanging on to it. Uncertainty about your performance, coupled with a fickle economy, may leave you feeling uneasy.
“Many people begin new jobs knowing that the rule ‘last hired, first fired’ will possibly apply to them,” Stöppler says. “You are entitled to ask questions about the company and its strategies for weathering in economic storm.
Showing concern about your job, and the company’s future is a positive characteristic rather than a deficiency on your part.
The more you know about the future prospects of your new job, the better you will be able to deal with stressors and unexpected situations that might arise.”
To Sum it up
Financial considerations need not be an absolute bar to finding something that you would prefer to do. That is not to say that money is irrelevant; it clearly is in many cases. But if you follow these seven rules—seven golden rules—you can maximize the chances that financial issues won’t control your job search.
