If you have been following my blog for some time now, you’d notice that I have been not updating as often as I did previously. The reason for that is because I recently took on a new job in a totally new country, Singapore!

It is uncommon for a Generation Y person like myself, to stay at a company for such a long time. While most of my friends are already at their second, third or fourth job; it took me over six years to take the plunge. Even so, it was definitely not an easy decision to make that switch.

My journey

Most humans are creatures of comfort… at least that held true for me. Most of us, when we get all comfy in our comfort zone, we want to stay put. We cling onto familiarity and then find it difficult to let go. I was pretty comfortable in my previous job, so why rock the boat?

Comfort, hesitation and the big leap!

Me, wanting a change in pace is not something new. When I wrote about the fear of change in 2017, it was the first time I was at crossroads about my career. At that point of time, I questioned myself whether I wanted to continue pursuing a career in corporate tax compliance, or pursue something new. Some of my batch mates had already decided to call it quits and went on to explore something else. In the end, after much contemplation, I decided to stay on, because I was still bonded with my employer due to the fact that they paid for my professional certification.

Three years later, in late 2020, I wrote about Why Work? I was at crossroads yet again. I was offered a role in the commercial space, but I had second thoughts, mainly because it was during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic had made life unpredictable. Once again, I stayed on, but switched within the firm to Consulting instead in the following year.

Fast forward to 2022, with the pandemic stabilising, and things going back to pre-COVID, I realised that I had come to the point of my career where I felt that I needed to take on new challenges out of my firm. I was getting too comfortable, and felt that I had learnt everything I could from my role. Hence, when the opportunity came a-knocking, I took it.

Taking the leap

Seeking a new role can be stressful and time consuming. Thereafter, after getting an offer, making the decision to take the plunge can be daunting and confusing. After all the hard work of going through job-hunting websites, filling up application forms and attending interviews, it is normal to feel uncertain about taking the plunge and accepting the role in question.

However, it’s important to remember what prompted you to submit your application in the first place and your reasons for taking the new role. For me, I took time to reflect and weighed all my options – listing down all the pros and cons. I also took time to chart my career ambitions.

Transitioning into the new role

Transitioning into a new role was tough, well at least for me. A new job meant a totally new environment – new bosses, new colleagues, new business processes, new technologies, etc. Things that I had taken for granted at my old job, like where the stationary is, administrative processes, or even get IT support, were all the things I had to relearn when I took up the new role.

Another thing to prepare yourself during the transition is keep an open mind, and ride that steep learning curve again. Things might have gotten a little less intense in terms of learning if you have stayed in a role for long. Just keep in mind that no doubt that you will be keen to impress and show that you are competent and a talented asset to the company, remember to not let this get in the way of your own career goals and learning.

My advice if you’re looking out

As simple as it sounds, trust your gut instinct. If you feel genuinely optimistic about the role after the interview, then trust that accepting the offer is the right thing to do. I know I had doubts when I took up my new role. Otherwise, if you feel that the offer isn’t right for you, don’t give up and keep looking. That dream job is waiting for you somewhere. All you need to do is look for it.

Finally, have fun. Always remember to remind yourself – you took the new opportunity because you wanted a change. So, embrace the changes and challenges that are thrown at you, wear a smile and give your all.