Adams & Garth Blog

For most, getting a promotion to a new job in Lynchburg is a pretty happy occasion. You’ve worked hard and feel validated that your boss has noticed and rewarded you accordingly.

However, for some, getting a promotion just conjures up images of longer hours, more responsibility, and increased stress. And if the new position doesn’t align well with your career goals, then you could be in a tricky situation.

What should you do?

Well, you have two choices: 1) accept the promotion or 2) turn it down. Both bring with them a host of risks and benefits you should weigh carefully before making your decision. Let’s take a look:

Accept the Promotion

Risk: Should you accept the promotion to a new job in Lynchburg, you will likely be taking on more responsibility. As result, you may have to work longer hours and manage a team of employees, which comes with a variety of new challenges if you don’t have much management experience.

Reward: You can earn more money and learn new skills all at the same time, making yourself more marketable. You can also use what you learn as a steppingstone for a better position with your current employer – or a new one.

Turn It Down

Risk: Obviously, if you’ve been paying the slightest attention to the news lately, you know our economy isn’t exactly humming along. And when your boss offers you a new position in the form of a promotion, they may know something you don’t – that your Lynchburg job will be cut soon. Or, perhaps turning down the promotion is akin to committing career suicide at your company. Your boss may now view you as difficult and not a team player.

Reward: You get to stay in a position that you like and in which you feel most productive.

If, after careful consideration, you’ve decided that the promotion just isn’t for you, how can you go about turning it down tactfully? Here are some tips:

• Thank your boss for the opportunity. Make it clear that you are flattered by the offer.
• Explain to your boss why you should stay in your current position. Discuss the benefits to the company and to your boss personally of you staying put.
• Offer your boss a solution if they need someone to fill the new position fast. Tell your boss you’ll take on more responsibility or some of the critical tasks until the company is able to hire someone. Presenting a short-term solution like this will not only go a long way in mending any hurt feelings your boss may have for turning down the promotion, but it will also show you’re still committed to the company.

Turning down a promotion is certainly a big risk. But if you know you will be miserable in the position being offered, then it just might be a risk worth taking.

However, if you’re ready for more responsibility – just with a different employer, Adams & Garth can help. We work with some of the leading companies in the area and can offer you access to a full range of rewarding jobs in Lynchburg and throughout Central Virginia.

Start your search now.

Just when it seemed like the economy was starting to show signs of life, we’ve been hit with record gas prices, high unemployment numbers, and a national debt crisis. Many employers are therefore hunkering down and waiting too see what’s to come before hiring again.

As a result, it can seem harder than ever to find a job. In fact, according to a recent Wall Street Journal article, 30% of the unemployed nationally, or 4.4 million job seekers, have been out of work for more than a year.

If you’re one of those millions, you may think your situation is hopeless. To assist you, we’ve put together 6 fresh ideas to bolster your job search and help you find a new opportunity:

1. Announce your job search in your profile status on LinkedIn.

Let your connections know what kind of a position you’re looking for and what you can bring to the table. For instance:

“Looking for a new sales opportunity in the pharma industry. A proven track record and employee of the year two years in a row. Let me know if you have any leads!”

If you belong to any industry groups on LinkedIn, post a query there, as well.

2. Start a Twitter campaign.

Twitter can be a good resource for connecting with like-minded professionals in Lynchburg and around the world, sharing your knowledge, and following companies you’d love to work for. It can also enhance your visibility while searching for job opportunities. You can even search for a new job on Twitter using TwitterJobSearch.com.

3. Join a job search support group.

Find one that suits you online. You can network with other professionals in the same situation, obtain new job search leads, and gain support.

4. Create your own business cards.

Think of your business card like a mini billboard that can advertise your brand. If you’re design savvy, create your own. If not, work with a professional designer or use an online template. Carry them with you wherever you go and don’t be shy about handing them out.

5. Start a business.

If you have a skill that you can sell, then why not start your own business? Waiting around for that perfect opportunity to come along could be just as risky, or even more risky, than creating your own job.

6. Propose a job.

You may have a good idea that could help a Lynchburg company solve a problem. Tell them about it. Write a letter proposing a solution and how you can help them implement it. The worst thing that can happen is they say “no.”

If you’d like some extra help from Lynchburg’s job search experts, please contact Adams & Garth. We can offer you a variety of services to help you find a new job and advance your career.