Time to move on? Leaving a job gracefully.

• Author: Audibert, Gail
• Position: Business & Finance - Career change

WITH TODAY'S sluggish economy, most people who are employed can't help but breathe a little sigh of relief that they have a job--even if they don't really like it. Human nature is to retreat to the trenches in times of uncertainty, and those who would like to make a job change are left wondering whether it is safe to poke their heads out and take a look around.

The good news is that, despite the economic slowdown, it's still an "employees' market" in much of the U.S., with a significant labor shortage in many parts of the country. For example, a survey by the Connecticut Business and Industry Association and Andersen Consulting found that 75% of small and midsize businesses that responded are having trouble filling vacancies because of the shortage of qualified workers.

This should help to quell the fears of unhappy employees who are contemplating a job change, but what about the timing issues of doing so? How do you really know whether you are just going through a rough patch that will improve over time or whether it's time to let go and move on? Most people understand the mechanics of finding a job, from how to write a good resume to how to negotiate salary and compensation, but who has the skills to leave a job at the right time and for the right reasons?

Some people find it harder to deal with change than others. For the faint of heart, the prospect of switching jobs creates a sense of unease so overwhelming that they will remain in an unhappy work situation rather than face the unknown. These individuals often need an external force to "convince" them to move on. They can only be nudged out of their chairs by the likes of a layoff, salary freeze, or the prospect of relocation. They tend to be motivated by income necessity and lifestyle convenience issues, rather than by the pursuit of opportunities to advance their careers.

Then there are those adventure-seekers who welcome the opportunity for change and may actively seek out professional growth and movement up the ladder. One of our clients has changed jobs--and scaled that ladder--seven times over her 14-year public relations career. Christina's most recent move, to a position as media relations manager for the investment division of a large financial services company, was the result of a calculated strategy, she says. "I really planned my career to bring me to this point, because I had always been intrigued with the financial services industry." While the economic uncertainty did...