Are you in or out?

Some people job hop to the top. Others work with their organisation to get ahead. Both approaches can work in the right circumstances.

SEEK research found that 45% of Australians feel they need to leave their current employer to progress in their careers, and 29% expect to progress internally. 

SEEK research found that 45% of Australians feel they need to leave their current employer to progress in their careers, and 29% expect to progress internally.

So the question is, should your next move be internal or external?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. So we asked Diana Tartaglia, operations manager for HR consulting at Randstad, and Jason Walker, management board director of Hays, how to work out what’s right for you at this stage in your career. Ask yourself the following questions to establish the best approach:

• What is my ultimate career goal? You need a career development plan to get where you’re going and for that you need goals. You can’t make the right decision if you don’t know where you’re headed ultimately says Tartaglia, who works with outplacement clients. Do you know, she adds, if you’re looking for more money, opportunities to improve your skills, or seniority? These are important questions to consider.
   
• Are there more opportunities available externally? If your organisation isn’t growing and those people more senior to you are likely to stay, your chances of moving up internally will be limited, says Walker. Or it may be that you are an innovative person, but innovation is valued more by external organisations, says Tartaglia.
   
• Are my skills recognised? Some candidates don’t sell their skills within their existing organisation. “We aren’t good at blowing our own trumpets,” says Walker. A real tell-tale sign of not being appreciated is the company hiring an external candidate for a role you were hoping to land, and were clearly already doing. It’s time to look outside the organisation if that happens, says Walker.
   
• Would I get better training or experience here or elsewhere? If your existing organisation has excellent training and development opportunities, then you may be better to look at an internal move. If these are in limited supply at your current organisation then shop more widely for a new role. The sooner you know the answer to this the better, because sometimes it’s best to start job seeking before you’re ready to leave.
   
• Does the organisation align with your passions? Sometimes you can work for a great organisation, but it’s just not the right fit for you. If you’re working for a big corporate when an innovative start-up would be more fulfilling, or vice versa, then you need to move on.
   
• Are you selling your skills both internally and externally? Are you managing your performance reviews well, taking advantage of all training and learning opportunities, and making management aware of your successes? Do you have a SEEK profile? It’s all about keeping your name out there and selling your skills.

Remember, whether it’s an internal or external move that’s most suitable, if you go above and beyond the job requirements and an organisation’s expectations of you, you’ll be moving ahead in no time.