Friends Of STAR

If you are a true STAR old boy and have other STAR old boys as your friends, you must have been at the listening end of their grouching complaints about their jobs!

"Stagnant!"

"Bored to death with the routine!"

"Under paid, over worked!"

And, bla bla bla, in so many variations. 

It is so easy to fall into the trap, and for you to start volunteering information about vacancies else where. This is often a mistake! I have seen many examples of people changing jobs because of similar complaints mentioned above, only to have the same cycle repeating. Typically, it takes 18 months for the same person to feel the same way which has made him left his previous job.

High achievers, achieve in any job given to them. High achievers, create challenges, break the status quo and change the way things are done, and find motivation from within. To put it another way, high achievers, redefine their 'boring, stagnant, under recognized' jobs and attack their objectives with such passion and enthusiasm that they are often viewed by senior management as ready for the next promotion!

Changing one's mindset is a lot easier than changing jobs, or hoping that you can change your boss. In a simple physics rule, 'For every action, there is an opposite and equal reaction'. Going by this rule, if you think negatively about your boss, or your job, it is very likely that your boss will also think negatively about you and your performance.

Personally, in my long 27 years of working, have not stayed for more than 5 years in any particular job, but also never less than 3. There is something logical about the 3 to 5 year rule. It takes about 3 months for you to understand the job, another 3 to put your strategy together, and another six to assemble the resources and start putting actions into motion. The two years after, can ensure you deliver your commitments. Additional two for you to launch another major initiative, and if you are in the right company, someone will notice your prowess and potential and give you a promotion!

After five, if nothing change, it is really time to move! There is the option of moving side way to another job in the same company and there is the option of looking elsewhere. Which one you choose, depends on the reasons for your lack of career progression from your existing position. 

As a matter of personal preference, I have always stay in touch with what are available in the job market. I also encourage people who report to me to do the same. My logic is, I'd rather have people who stay in the job because they want to despite the choices they have, rather than they have to because they don't have anywhere else to go.

In 27 years, Alhamdullillah, I have always been where I want to be.

*****

**The writer is a HR professional, currently a Director with a Saudi company based in Jeddah**

ps: The following vacancies are currently available for the right candidates:

A ICT Director, a Sales Director, a Supply Chain Director, a GM of Marketing, & a Techinal Support Head, all based in Jeddah and all in the aquaculture and seafood industry. 

If you are interested or know of someone who does, please contact the writer at  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.