Second Cup: You may as well look

Even if you like your job, it's good to know what's out there

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:03):
Welcome to Before Breakfast, a production of iHeartRadio. Good Morning,
This is Laura. Welcome to the Before Breakfast podcast. Today's
tip is that you may as well look. No job
is perfect, so if there is something you don't like

(00:24):
in your current job, you don't need to assume that
you will never find something better. It's quite possible that
you could, and being aware of the landscape in your
industry is seldom a bad thing, even if you decide
to stay put. In another episode this week, I'll be

(00:44):
talking about changing careers and how it's best to have
a vision of something you would like to do and
not just what you don't want to do. But while
changing careers can be complicated, changing jobs may not be.
And even if you are not actively looking to change jobs,

(01:05):
it's okay to look at what jobs are out there. Indeed,
it's healthy to do so from time to time, even
if you are happy. Seeing what's out there is good
for networking even if you don't switch, and it's important
to make sure that you are not underpaid. In some ways,

(01:27):
a job is somewhat like a marriage. You hope it lasts,
and you have to work to make sure everybody is
happy with it. But in other ways, it isn't like
a marriage at all. I would not recommend looking at
dating sites if you've got some issues in your marriage,
but I absolutely would recommend looking at what is out

(01:49):
there with jobs, even if you are pretty happy with
the job you have. And I'm not even talking about
actively applying to things. First and foremost, this is about networking.
Everyone should be having regular conversations with people at different organizations,
in their industries and in adjacent industries. It's good to

(02:12):
know lots of people and know what areas are growing.
That way, when something cool opens up, people know about it,
and they will tell you, and you can then make
a choice about what to do about it. You want
this information because it simply gives you options. Lots of

(02:34):
times people justify their current jobs as being optimal in
some way. I mean, yes, it's not that challenging, and
I'm underpaid, but at least this job is flexible, or yes,
I'm on the road two to three nights per week,
but at least I'm paid well, or the work is fascinating,
and so I guess I should just expect that the
benefits are terrible. No one can have it all, right.

(02:56):
I am unlikely to find something better anywhere else. Well,
maybe the truth is that very few people have optimized
for anything with their jobs. You wind up in a
job that was available and that you knew about when
you were looking. But this in no way represents the

(03:18):
entire universe of jobs. It's only a very narrow sliver,
so that means it might be possible to move up
in multiple dimensions. At the same time, it is quite
possible that you might find a better paying job that
is more interesting and more flexible. It's possible that you

(03:39):
might find a better paying job that doesn't require so
much travel. If work travel isn't really your thing, you
might be able to get better benefits and more interesting work.
You honestly just don't know unless you look, so take
this as a public service announcement to reach out and

(04:01):
get those virtual coffees scheduled with all of your professional acquaintances.
Go to those conferences and talk to people in different organizations.
See what you can find out about the work, about
working conditions, about pay and benefits. You might decide that
you are perfectly content where you are, and that is great.

(04:25):
You might decide that you are perfectly content and see
that other places are paying more, which is great information
to have the next time you do a review with
your manager. Look, you might say, I love it here
and I know that X, Y and Z companies are
paying about this amount. What can we do to get

(04:47):
me closer to that over the next year. Or you
might decide that if something cool opens up, you will
try for it. All those people you've been having virtual
coffees with can help you there. There is really no
downside to being aware of what is going on in
the job market. You may as well. Look, you don't

(05:10):
have to do anything, but knowing what's out there can
help you be better paid at a job you like,
or can help you switch to something you'd like even more.
In the meantime, this is Laura. Thanks for listening, and
here's to making the most of our time. Hey, everybody,

(05:38):
I'd love to hear from you. You can send me
your tips, your questions, or anything else. Just connect with
me on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at before Breakfast Pod
that's b the number four then breakfast Pod. You can
also shoot me an email at before Breakfast Podcasts at
iHeartMedia dot com that breakfast is spelled out with all

(06:01):
the letters. Thanks so much, should I look forward to
staying in touch? Before Breakfast is a production of iHeartRadio.
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