by Carolette Wright

Created on: July 26, 2009   Last Updated: July 30, 2009

I was working with a client who had a question about if he should start looking for a new job. I wanted to share the question and my response in hopes that you will benefit. Enjoy!

Hi,

I've been working in a company for up to 2 years. Early this year because of financial crisis my director who recruited me left this firm. A couple of months later I was relocated to another department and my task is therefore changed a lot. Frankly speaking, I have given all my best to keep this job as there is few opportunities in the job market. This relocation brings me not only lots of learning but also trouble to understand the director of my new division. It is quite strange:

1. He doesn't organise any training for me.

2. I find myself two interesting projects in the new team, and have already joined one. However the new director seems reluctant to assign me to the second one in which he's agreed with my participation. He is always offering some praises on my performance, but never offers me a concrete task for the second project. Today I have tried to discuss with him about my plan, he just found an excuse and postponed our meeting to the next week.

3. He warns me about my overtime hours.

According to my work contract, I could be discharged 6 weeks before the end of a quarter. Is he going to give me the sack? Should I begin with job hunting?

I've to say, I'm really unlucky to meets these two directors at the beginning of my carrier. I'm totally lost in this situation. Any advice will be thankful.

- Changer

Here was my response:

Hi Changer,

This is an interesting situation. My advise to you is this - your leader should be exposing you. It is their job to know you and promote you for positions. You should not be promoting "YOU". If you are telling your leader what you are interested in and you are not getting suggestions or valuable feedback then I question whether this company is a match for you. Actually is not be the company it may be your boss- people quit "bosses" not companies.

If you are asking for development and a challenge, but are not getting it - it is time to start looking. You want to work for an employer whose leaders put your development needs as a priority. It is a give and take:

Employers should provide compensation, training and development. Employees should provide results, dedication and consistency.

Let me backtrack for one minute:

Make sure that you have asked your leader how is your performance and if there is a gap. Make sure that

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