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No 73                                                                             September 2005

Why Employees Change Jobs

09/06/2005 10:03 AM - XtraMSN

Lack of career progression is the main reason candidates decide to change jobs, according to research conducted by specialist recruiter Hays. Over 600 candidates of Hays where asked why they were looking for a new job. The ten most common reasons given were:

1. Lack of career progression
2. Seeking new challenges
3. Salary
4. Lack of training or development opportunities
5. Poor management
6. Too much stress
7. Travel time too great
8. Seeking to specialise in a particular field
9. Poor work/life balance
10. Office politics.

General manager of Hays New Zealand Jason Walker, says retention is more important than ever with the current candidate-tight market.

"By identifying the common reasons people decide to look for a new job, businesses can focus on preventative strategies to work towards keeping their existing talent.

"As our survey shows, a big part of this is giving staff room to grow and develop their careers within the business. Linked to this is the importance of providing new challenges to staff as many candidates surveyed said they felt stale or bored in their current job and felt they were not going anywhere in their role," he says.

"A lack of training or development opportunities was also a high factor, ahead of work/life balance and stress. Poor management was also a key reason for leaving a current job, with lack of direction, little empowerment or lack of recognition from management common complaints.

"Unsurprisingly, salary was a high factor although this survey makes it clear salary is not the main motivating factor for candidates seeking to change roles.

"Certain sector-specific reasons for leaving a current employer also emerged. For example, in the IT sector technically challenging roles were the key priority, followed by lack of career development, salary, and then training."

A thought

"To avoid criticism:

• keep your head down,
• risk nothing, and
• take up the fetal position.

To achieve success;

• seek new knowledge,
• try the untryable,
• peek over the parapet, and
• expect to be shot at.

Then learn and grow from the experience!"

Harnessing The Power Of Networking

Some people are such great networkers that they can get over 90% percent of their business through networking and word-of-mouth marketing. You probably know people like this. But what separates these "Notable Networkers" from the rest of the pack? What do they know and do that others don't? There are some immutable laws governing successful word-of-mouth marketing, but just like the wind, harnessed for mankind's good by windmills, word of mouth can be controlled to generate healthy business referrals that can help your business grow.

What are some of these principles? There are three main points "laws." At face value the laws seem simple, but don't let first impressions deceive you. Behind these simple-sounding principles lies a comprehensive set of requirements and obligations. If you don't heed these laws, you will invest many hours and some dollars, but get a poor return on your investment.

1. Notable Networkers have a positive and supportive attitude.
As more and more people opt to start their own businesses and as technology continues to burst forth on the business scene, many business owners are finding themselves cut off from one another. This very trend makes it harder to support each other and makes this law even that much more important to apply. Good networking involves providing a positive and supportive environment to other business people. Notable Networking is predicated upon the concept that givers gain. If you freely give business to others, they will give business to you. This concept is based on the age-old notion that "what goes around, comes around," if I give business to you, you'll give business to me, and we will both do better as a result.

In many ways, the First Law of Networking involves more than attitude; it's a way of life and a good way to do business. When you constantly and consciously keep other people in mind, they will do the same for you. Networking is like a savings account: if you keep investing wisely, you can draw upon it when you need it.

2. Notable Networkers learn how to use networking tools effectively.
All professionals need the tools of their trade to conduct business. A painter needs a brush, a teacher needs a blackboard/whiteboard, and a secretary needs a computer. To achieve success, networkers need their own tools as well. Good networkers' tools include: name tags to identify themselves to others, card holders to carry their business cards, and most importantly, files to carry other people's business cards.

How many times have you gone to a networking event and met business professionals who don't have business cards? Business cards are the most inexpensive way to market yourself and are a critical tool for networking.

What about name tags? You should be easily identified with your profession, business or service to those who have not yet met you. Wearing a name tag is a simple, yet effective way to let people know what you do.

Part of living the givers gain way of life is demonstrated by carrying others' business cards so that when the chance arrives to refer them, you actually have their cards to give out to the prospects. Once at an event, a friend of mine ran out of her cards and was most pleased and surprised when I was able to give her five of her own cards so that she could continue networking effectively!

3. Notable Networkers know that networking is an acquired skill.
Most people are not born networkers. They develop the skills through education, training, the right attitude and practice. Any technique of value requires a commitment to learning how to use it effectively. Take advantage of every opportunity to learn to network more effectively. It is a skill that will only grow in importance. If you are active in a networking organisation, you're "sitting on the right track." The key, however, is to take advantage of the opportunities that these groups have to offer. This means you need to be an active participant in the networking process to get any substantive results. Learn, read books and articles, talk to people who network well, and most importantly, practice what you've learned. This is not less than what you would do to learn how to play golf, manage people, or sell a product.

Make sure you know what to do when you attend meetings, business events or mixers. All these groups know how to network! You need not have the most gregarious personality to benefit from attending these events. You will be able to effectively harness the power of word-of-mouth marketing in such a way that you, too, will be able to say that over 90% of your business comes from referrals! Remember, it's not net-sit or net-eat; it's net-WORK!

© 2003 The Nework Centre   |   email neworknz@yahoo.co.nz

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