If you have worked for a number of years at an array of different companies, you certainly can recognize when you have come upon a really good thing. When you are content in a job you can really focus on the work rather than office politics and various power plays within the company. Eventually, you will come across a job where you might say to yourself, “I could really stay here until retirement.”
Obviously these days people are forced out of their jobs due to layoffs due to the downturn of the economy. But let’s just assume that your company is financially stable and you are not concerned about losing your job, at least not in the foreseeable future. There are certainly some obvious signs that, just maybe, your current job just might be your last.
You actually like your coworkers.
What a concept – actually getting along with your coworkers. I tend to think that how well you interact with your fellow workers is a huge factor when it comes to whether or not you want to stay at a certain company. If you’ve ever had a bad situation in a company related specifically to your workmates, you know that it can consume you. You simply dread having to walk into that office and come across certain individuals. When it’s a good situation it makes all the difference in the world. I’m not necessarily talking about regularly going out with your coworkers for drinks after work but more of a comfortable, sociable working relationship.
You have opted out of LinkedIn.
You remember the days when you couldn’t wait to receive those automated job search emails from Dice or Monster? And, of course how can we forget those latest updates from LinkedIn, the currently popular social networking job search site? Somehow when things are going really well at your job those emails just become a nuisance. Most of the time you don’t even open up those emails. And of course your profile on LinkedIn is very outdated and doesn’t include some of your latest skills and coursework. When you are content the job search becomes an exercise of the past.
Your resume is passé.
When was the last time that you updated your resume? Or a better question may be, “Where is your resume?” Just the fact that you can’t quickly locate your resume is a great sign. Obviously you are happy with your current job environment. I’m sure you remember the days where you were updating your resume regularly and would make it a point to request training at work so that you could add more to your resume. Having a passé resume is a good thing. Congratulations, if this is the case. God forbid, but if you ever happen to lose your job, you’ll have plenty of time to update it.
The benefits and compensation package are too good to leave.
There is no doubt that your compensation package may be the #1 factor when it comes to your job satisfaction. Salary is always a big reason why workers move onto greener pastures (no pun intended). But you must take into consideration not only your salary, but the benefits that come along with your salary. If you are one of the lucky ones who receive a pension from your employer you may just want to hold onto that job. Pensions are hard to find out there so this must be a factor before you decide that your salary isn’t high enough. Do the math and project out to your retirement date just what that pension will mean in real dollars at that time. Most companies that have pensions will have tools that will help you do this. And if your company gives a match in your 401K this is a benefit that is basically free money. Health plans, company discounts, wellness programs, and benefits like funds that go toward paying partial (or full) orthodontics must be factored in — especially if you have a family. Don’t forget that if you change jobs you may be subject to a waiting period in order to be fully vested in a matching 401K.
You wear your company paraphernalia with pride.
If you find yourself wearing your company shirt, hat, or fleece with pride, then you just may be in your last job. How many times in the past have you said to yourself, “I wouldn’t be caught dead in that company shirt or hat.” Well, if those feelings have changed then maybe you are realizing that your company is doing their best to keep you. If you are sensing a loyalty by your employer to the employees then you must conclude that it is a good thing. I know that loyalty goes only as far as the bottom line, but feeling a sense of pride in your company can only be perceived as an extremely positive sign.
When you find yourself content in your job situation and you are basically tired of moving around, then maybe you have found your last job. If you are recognizing the signs mentioned here in your own working life then maybe, just maybe, you’ve found your final employment destination.
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