The trap of always looking for a better job

Have you fallen to this trap? I think I have
you work somewhere good, but 6 months later you start wondering why you aren't working elsewhere that's more prestigious or in a higher position...
you ended with CV full of 12 months, 18 months jobs....
What's your rationale behind staying in a good job vs. getting a better job?
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Then I go.. damn, it might not be the same pay, my schedule right now is perfect for my family, I'd hate to drive in somewhere every day... FINE I'll just grin and bear it.
Does that mean my thought process is completely right? I doubt it, but it tends to make me stick places for longer than I probably should.
To answer your question location is a huge motivator. I love coastal or near coastal and that prompted me to move physically and my career. I am also going to be learning additional skills which will help me move into large enterprise level strategy roles. Sticking around to stick around or for time lines makes me laugh....
Some of the most successful people I know work short termed contracts and get paid well.... One side note - They pick up a lot skills working with new technologies.
Another note.... (Sorry just hit me). I have kids, 16, 11 and 3 and I want them to experience different locations and enjoy life. So... It's not just about me. Sorry for the long rant lol
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Also, I'd like to point out that there is a difference in hopping around from a 12mo contract vs a full time role in a fortune 500. There is a big difference.
With that being said, I took a "promotion" at a company with a lot more responsibility where my manager said he would try to get me an increase. It wasn't until 18 months later that I saw any type of increase. Money wise I probably received the short end of the stick compared to what I may have gotten if I got another job. Experience wise I probably came out ahead.
One reason I stayed was because I knew I would be moving and I didn't want to get another job, move, and have to look for another job. Also, there was the potential of getting a position at the new location I moved to, which did work out. Now I'm in a similar position as before where I'm supposed to be getting more money, but have yet to see it. This time around I'm going to start searching for a new job a lot sooner if I don't get the increase and they give me the run around. Ultimately I think what I'm earning is significantly less than what I could earn at other places given my experience and certifications.
I read another article that says you should interview for jobs periodically even if you have a job your happy with because it will help you know what you are worth in the employment market. I suppose you run the risk of a company blacklisting you if they extend an offer and you decline. If you're in an area with not a lot of tech positions, then this could become problematic.
Nevertheless we all need to make our own way.
I would agree being bored isn't a good reason to leave, money, location, opportunity, more free time is though.... But to your point, you are in AU, so things are surely different.
I personally love working contracts, because it gives me the ability to continue to move up and up and up.... My end game is principal (I'm right there, yours maybe a corporate director... Which in your case attrition through a corporation MIGHT be your best play.....) I was never a big fan of this route, because it's contigent on if someone of influence and power is willing to stick their neck out for you. And while I am most certainly someone who can influence, probably one of my tops skills I feel the need to make my own path....
I found so many corporate directors on up completely incompetent. Besides they possess a skill that I am not very good at. Grinding through operational work..... Day to day activities absolutely kill me, sucks the life out of me.
Ultimately for me it's about knowing thy self and making sure to integrate into efforts that match your personality type, objectives.
I'm in a similar situation as my longest and current job is 3 years, which is not that much. So I have to make sure that if I make a move, it will be worth it and I have to potentially stay longer at that job. So that makes me somewhat careful in picking jobs.
As others shared above, the end goal is to maximize your earnings while being in the most accommodating environment.
When I find the most accommodating environment (commute / remote work, family balance, salary, insurance...), I know it will be time to just ride it out into the sunset.
Studying for : TBD
I agree regarding corporate directors, a lot are flat out incompetent but this motivates me to do their job better - a lot better. Again, who knows!
You are doing so well man, keep it up!
I’m also in a holiday this week and recruiter reached out to me to join a past employer of mine to manage one of the team, it’s a lot more money than what im making now...and the funny part is some of my previous colleagues are still there doing the same job I was doing 4 yrs ago.
Let’s wait and see how this play out!
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What I mean is,
I worked my butt off for one company for 4 years and when times got hard during the recession they laid me off.
Was at another company for 6 years and NEVER asked for raises or salary bumps. After 6 years and being the project lead on all projects I felt I deserved the "Senior" title. I went to ask for the senior title and a salary correction and it was such a struggle just to get the Senior title. I left with not much to show after 6 years.
My problem has always been loyalty. But now I learned my lesson and currently I am reaching year 4 at my current employer. I plan on looking at the market and seeing what my value is. It doesn't mean I will leave but it is a healthy practice to know your market value after 2-4 years at your current employer.
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While you're not wrong about loyalty in most cases. You also don't get what you don't ask for. So churning away for 6 years working hard and never asking for something, is the problem. If anything, they saw 6 years of you working at what you considered a senior level, and they considered your normal, then suddenly you expected more out of it.
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With that said, set your boundries with timelines and if certain conditions aren't met take action as you see fit.... It's how I plan projects and my career. EG If I take a job and it's supposed to be XYZ and it's ABC I'll leave within months. I don't care about time lines on my resume
If I am doing a job like you for 3 years or so.... I keep getting overlooked even when I push for promotion etc.... I take corrective action
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Thanks for the input. Trust me I learned my lesson several years ago hahaha I was posting this so that others can have an idea of what "loyalty" will get you. Hopefully it helps others be proactive in making decisions.
That company I was with for 6 years, I did give minor 3% raises here and there. But as you know, that is the very minimum and while I was at that company I completed CCNP R/S, CCDP, CCNP Security, was in the middle of working on CCIE DC at the time I requested my "Senior" title & salary correction. I was the only person who was certification oriented.
Sometimes you just have to see the reality of a companies status and growth. Which is another truth people have to see in an employer. Sometimes it is just not worth working for a struggling company or one that does not have a culture that encourages growth. That company just saw its engineers as worker bees.
2023 Cert Goals: SC-100, eCPTX