Changing jobs: How to become a success in the workplace

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Changing jobs – how to become a success in the workplace. Source: Internet http://health.china.com/*nli/zhichang*nli/200903/03-32847.html Soldiers come and go, but job changes are a common phenomenon in the workplace. For job seekers, changing jobs is meant to find a better platform for growth, but in reality, not everyone can successfully reach their desired goals by doing so. 　　Every stepping stone swayed. Xiao Xia is a graduate of the class of 2008; after graduation, she worked as a salesperson in a clothing company. He had heard people say that for recently graduated college students, their first job is often just a stepping stone and not one they will stay in for a long time. He thought it made sense – one shouldn’t \"fix their role too firmly\" right after graduating, but should try more things. Not long after starting work, he found sales to be a difficult task, so he quickly changed jobs and took one as a network administrator. But soon after that, he felt it wasn’t a good reputation to work in an internet cafe, so he changed jobs again… He changed jobs four times within half a year, and now he is unemployed once more. He really wanted to find a job that he could work at for the rest of his life, but to his frustration, it seemed that everything he found was just a temporary stepping stone. What bothers him even more is that it’s becoming harder to find platforms to jump on as well. 　　 　　There was once a story: a man wanted to pick the largest and most beautiful fruits on a journey with no turning back. Along the way, he threw away many fruits, thinking that the best ones were still ahead; yet he found that the fruits further ahead became smaller and smaller – the same is true for what happened to Xiao Xia. Recent college graduates often mistakenly assume that the best opportunities are still ahead, forgetting to cherish those right in front of them. In fact, the quality of a job is relative and not fixed. As an individual’s work capabilities improve, new opportunities naturally follow. For newcomers to the workplace, giving up after just one attempt is a temporary solution that doesn’t address the root problem; aside from causing impatience, it offers no benefits at all. It is the right approach to focus on doing one’s current work diligently. 　　Straddling stability and high salaries: After working at foreign companies for several years, YOYO has become the envied \"white bone spirit\" – a white-collar professional, a key member of the team, an elite. But last year, at the age of 29, she found herself in a dilemma due to an opportunity to work in a state-owned enterprise: although foreign companies offer higher salaries, they are unstable, and one might lose their job easily if not careful ； Although state-owned enterprises are stable, not only are the salaries low, but all one’s previous efforts also go to waste. In the eyes of her family, stability is more important than a high salary; moreover, the relaxed working environment at the new company will allow her to have time to consider matters related to her personal life and take care of her family. In the end, she changed jobs with hopeful expectations. But soon she realized that a slow-paced office lifestyle wasn’t right for her; moreover, as a newcomer to the company, being ordered around by a group of \"more experienced\" colleagues who were younger than her filled her with both regret and anxiety. 　　 　　Many working women lack job security and subconsciously seek \"stability\". In fact, every age group has its own specific needs. Generally speaking, those who are new to the workplace have fewer burdens and plenty of enthusiasm, allowing them to make more attempts; they can discover their strengths and realize their value as they work hard. But after starting a family, one might consider stability more. A stable job brings a stable life and a stable mindset, and it even affects the stability of the entire family. Here, stability itself becomes a valuable achievement. So, whether it’s a high salary or stability, you need to consider your current mindset and your family’s needs, and let things take their course. 　　Rather be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix. Zhang Lei (a pseudonym) used to be an assistant to the general manager of a large company; he was diligent and meticulous in his work, which won him the high regard of his supervisors. Later, through the introduction of a friend, he met the owner of a family-owned business. The other party sincerely invited him to take on the position of company general manager, offering a high salary. This was a huge ** challenge for him, who had always wanted to build his own business. His philosophy was, “It’s better to be the leader than to be a follower.” Despite the sincere attempts by his former company’s management to keep him, he resolutely changed jobs. It wasn’t long before he tasted regret: although he held the title of “general manager,” he didn’t have any real power. Because the shareholders of the family business were highly suspicious of him as an \"outsider\" and restricted him in every way. The high salary promised initially also vanished due to \"poor performance\"... Many highly capable professionals hope to find broader opportunities for growth by changing jobs, but things often don’t go as planned. The reason is that their job changes are somewhat impulsive and reckless; when an opportunity arises, they fail to assess its authenticity and feasibility. “Whether it’s a “chicken head” or a “phoenix tail” is just a matter of personal preference; there’s no right or wrong – only what suits one’s own needs is the best. A person’s sense of achievement and satisfaction stems from their ability to take control of their work, and this sense of control has no direct causal relationship with an individual’s position or work environment. Therefore, when faced with high-paying higher vocational positions, career elites must also maintain a calm mind and think carefully before taking action. 　　「\"Tips\" The four steps to a successful job switch 1. Identify your reasons for changing jobs. 　　There are many excuses for changing jobs: low salary, an unsatisfactory working environment, complicated relationships with colleagues, a bleak future… However, changing jobs is not a universal solution to all problems; you must understand that there are some issues that cannot be resolved by switching jobs. For example, encountering difficulties at work and wanting to avoid them, or not having the necessary skills to handle the current job. In this situation, what you should consider is not whether to change jobs or not, but how to recharge yourself to improve your skills. 　　2. Get to know your “new employer”. 　　This is very necessary. Flowers look most beautiful when viewed through mist; therefore, you need sharp eyes to see the true face of a new employer, including the company’s potential for growth, career prospects, working environment, salary and benefits, and so on. Before calculating the \"cost of changing jobs\" carefully, do not act rashly; otherwise, if you make that leap in a hasty manner and everything has to start over, wouldn’t that be a waste? 　　3. Identify the best time to change jobs. 　　“\"Looking for a horse while riding a donkey\" is something many people have experienced, but this experience may not apply to everyone. If you have excellent performance, a good reputation, and solid interpersonal relationships, you can essentially take the initiative in changing jobs on your own. However, if your qualifications are average in every regard, it’s better to find a way out first before taking action; otherwise, you’re likely to remain unemployed for a long time. 　　4. Ensure proper handover. 　　A new employer has been found; don’t think that your previous job has nothing to do with you anymore. One should see things through to the end; before leaving, one should make every effort to hand over responsibilities properly to the person who will take over, as this is a basic professional ethic.