Landing a New Job

From the Wall Street Journal | July 18, 2010 | By DENNIS
NISHI

If you've been marking time at work and hoping to
get a new job, you're not alone. But employment experts caution restless
job seekers from jumping ship too soon. If you move too quickly you
might end up in a new job that you dislike even more. Still, you can
improve your odds of finding something worthwhile by planning ahead and
doing some research.

The first thing to do is re-evaluate why
you're dissatisfied at your current job. If you aren't challenged
enough, there might be a way to make a change without leaving. "There
may be ways that your job can be changed for the better or your role in
the company expanded to offer more challenges," says Tony Mulkern, a
management consultant based in Los Angeles.

Look Inside and Out

Scout
job openings in other departments or at higher levels that you may
qualify for with some additional extended education or skills and ask
your manager to support your effort to get the training you need.

If
the opportunities just aren't there or you're simply dissatisfied and
aching to move, tap your personal and professional network for
information on who's hiring; many job postings go up with a candidate in
mind already, so it's best to do your homework before a position is
listed publicly.

If you know someone at the companies you are
targeting—or someone in your network does—work to get personal
referrals. But be discreet with your inquiries. Keep requests off
social-networking websites like Facebook and LinkedIn.

When you
land an interview, use the opportunity to learn about the company. You
should get as much from them as they will try to get from you, says
Sharon Armstrong, a human-resources consultant in Washington. Salary and
benefits are important, but you also want to make sure you're
compatible. It's difficult to tell what the workplace culture is like
from casual visits. Don't be shy about calling for more information and
contact current and former employees, if possible, to get a feel for the
company and opportunities.

If you get an offer, before you
accept, consider doing more in-depth financial research on the company;
try the Securities and Exchange Commission's EDGAR Public Dissemination
Service (www.edgarcompany.sec.gov).

For private firms
and startups, Gail Rosen, an accountant based in Martinsville, N.J.,
says to look for a profit and loss statement, a balance sheet,
references, a business plan and a list of where the company is getting
funding. "You may not get that all, but it doesn't hurt to ask, and they
might at least give you something else you can use," she says. Some
information also can be found on fee services like Hoovers or on
business blogs.

Don't Leave Your Old Job

Whatever you do,
don't quit your job until you're certain that you're hired, says Ms.
Armstrong. "Even if a job offer seems imminent, there are a lot of
things that can happen at the last minute."

If your current
company wants to keep you and replies with a counteroffer, keep in mind
why you're leaving. "People seldom move just for money, so don't be
swayed by a bigger paycheck if everything else stays the same," says Ms.
Armstrong. "Job satisfaction comes from a lot of different places. If
the boss offers to help change the other things that are making you
unhappy, that might be worth at least discussing."

Write
to Dennis Nishi at cjeditor@dowjones.com