Yesterday, in one of the news channel, there was a dooms day prediction. Nothing to do with black holes and the CERN. This economist - I could not catch his name - indicated that the slow down will continue through 2008, remain in 2009 and the first few months of 2010.
So what does that do to the job market?
I am very aware that this blog will be read by people who have tendered their resignations and are looking to greener pastures. I am sure the reasons behind these reservations are justified.
Recession or no recession, I am of the opinion that unless the following reasons apply, no resignation is justified:
a) If the next company offers a professional growth that is incomparable.
b) If there are personal reasons totally out of control.
c) If the present job was a wrong choice in the first place. It is easy to tackle point (c). This is also very obvious. And a change in this case is a change of career path. The surest sign of this distress is unhappiness. You are unhappy with yourself doing something that you do not like.
Personal reasons totally out of control. Hmmm… This is tricky. Most of us would say that my personal problems are beyond control and that no one else understands. This also applies to the younger lot. I am sure that is true, but there is always a way out. As one grows in professional life there will be numerous occasions where personal problems will threaten to derail you. But at that period in time since the stake of leave a company is much higher you will not resign, I am sure. Rather you will find a way around. Well, why not use the same logic now. At the time of your formative year, when you are picking up the tricks of the trade and just begun your career, isn’t it more important to stick around? If you are able to solve your personal and professional problem, you would have already mastered a very difficult art that will stand you in good stead in later years – the art of managing conflicts. Having said that, I do recognize that many of the personal problems are really beyond control. If someone is getting married to a man settled in US or Maldives, then obviously the woman (it is still a man-dominated society, unfortunately) moves.
Ok – now what is a professional growth that is incomparable. If a project manager has the opportunity to become the head of a global outfit, then that may be termed as incomparable. Or if an engineer is offered the chance to become in charge of an UN project in Africa, then that is an incomparable professional growth (though many would disagree with this example of professional growth – UN work in Africa?? - but as I said these are my personal views.) Note that I am not talking of mere change of designation. If a Sr SW Engr is called Technical Lead in some other company (but doing similar job) with an apparent increase in salary (no one gives a 30% increase in hike – it is compensated within a year), that is not called an incomparable growth opportunity.
That brings me to yet another interesting aspect. What about foreign assignment? Isn’t that an incomparable growth opportunity? I not so sure here. Instinctively I feel it should be considered as an opportunity, but incomparable? Nah! Growth opportunity? Again no. Just an opportunity to see the world. But is it a reason for resigning from a job that has otherwise provided you with all other aspects that satisfies you? I am not so sure.
In any case, a person who resigns does not take into account that there are many aspects to his/her growth. The mentor who taught him/her the tricks of the trade, the friends who helped him/her out when he/she got stuck with a problem, the friends who went for a coffee with him/her when he/she was stressed, the subordinates who have encouraged him/her to look beyond his/her own work. How does he/she repay all this? By resigning? That is like saying, my use for you all is over … I would like to move on. So unless there are compelling reasons for leaving a company and as long your workplace provides a meaningful workplace, as long as you continue learning, as long as you continue laughing together, I do not think one should leave.
Every time I learn of a resignation, I feel sad. Now you know why.
Recession or no recession.
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