Change is Good, But No One Said It’s Easy: Job Search & Transition

Kim recently joined Susquehanna as our Corporate Communications Manager. By way of introduction, here are her thoughts on the challenges and opportunities you can encounter when changing jobs.

Well I did it! After 16 years, I left the comfort of a job where I knew everyone (just about) and everything (at least I thought so). Heck my car even knew what direction to drive when I jumped in it at 6:30 weekday mornings.

What made me do it? I was hungry for change… really, at my age? What was I, crazy? It’s been said before.

I’m not going to lie, it hasn’t been easy. I left behind long-time friends who’d been with me through the trials and tribulations of raising teens, the death of a parent, and building a home. Too, I was the expert in my workplace… have a question? Chances are I knew the answer or who to call.

But change is good.

And when the opportunity to interview for a new challenge fell in my lap, I figured I had nothing to lose. I was gainfully employed, and besides, I hadn’t been on a job interview in 16 years, and I found the idea rather exciting.

Until I thought about the preparation in a little more detail. No doubt I was feeling rusty. Here’s a few ways I prepared for the search.

Resume - I hadn’t updated it in 16 years, but when I did, I was impressed at all I had accomplished. If anything, that experience is good for the soul. Write it, proof it and share it with a trusted friend to review.

Research – Suffice it to say the last time I was preparing for a job interview, websites, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc., were not at my fingertips. Now? No excuse not to be knowledgeable about your potential future employer.

Dress for success – Small details will be noticed – be sure to iron your shirt, wear a nice pair of polished shoes and leave the flashy jewelry at home.

Interview – Don’t forget a pad of paper for a few notes, and a nice pen (details are important); bring along a few questions, a strong hand shake, sit up straight and look that interviewer square in the eye.

Follow-up with a thank you note – Even if you don’t think the job you interviewed for is a good fit, you never know, you could get a call back for a position that would be more suitable, especially if you left a good impression.

I must have done something right, because a few weeks later an offer was extended, I accepted, and I made plans to leave a place I called home for 16 years.

But change is good; in fact, it’s all good. However, my plan is to stick around for a while; who wants to go through that again?