Here's How to Decide If It's Time to Change Jobs

I'm Cat Miller, and this is DiceTV.

Changing jobs can lead to a lot of good things—better pay, better title, better location—but, changing jobs too frequently can cause you to appear disloyal, and not worth the time and money to hire and train. So, what's the right balance? How frequently should you change jobs and when's the best time to do it?

First thing to consider here is your personal life. You can't ever change jobs without looking at the bigger picture. What's going on at home? Do you have big changes going on that you'll need to attend to? It's imperative to make sure the timing is right on the home front before you make any decisions.

Next, consider emotional and relational factors. What are your relationships like at work? Do you agree with the company's direction, the company's values? How important are these factors to you? These choices are all highly personal, and you'll need to decide for yourself how significant they are to you. Once you've evaluated the personal elements that will factor into a change, now you can start to think more in terms of strategy.

Beginning with tenure—how long have you held your current position? Have you been there long enough or too long? It typically takes about three years to master your specific job, and after that point, learning tends to slow. So after around three years, you should consider either moving up or moving on. But bear in mind, that's just a guideline, not a rule. Do you still feel like you're learning in your role? Or do you feel like you've learned most of what you can and would get more out of tackling something new?

Let's say three years does sound right to you—your personal life can handle a change, you're reaching the end of the third year, and you feel like you've really mastered the job. Now it's time to think about the length of your previous positions. How will the position you're leaving now affect your resume? If you have a history of holding jobs for a year, a year and a half, it may be better to hang on a little longer, or focus on an internal promotion rather than a complete change. Even though three years is typically a long enough commitment to avoid job-hopper status, it might be more beneficial to show that you've stayed with the company a little longer than that.

Another factor to look into is how a change would affect your benefits and finances. What happens with your healthcare? Your family's healthcare? 401(k)? Can your time your job change strategically to get the most out of these? For some, benefits may not seem like a top concern, but it's important to make sure you understand your plans and aren't going to jeopardize your entire family's healthcare unnecessarily. Ultimately, the decision's up to you. There's no perfect resume and every situation is a little different, so you have to use your best judgement.

Oh! And don't quit your job until you've secured a better offer, unless, of course, you have a very, very good reason. I know, I know, that's obvious, but now you can't say that I didn't warn you. I'm Cat Miller, and this is DiceTV.