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Changing Jobs ..A Roll Of The Dice ...
July 26, 2022
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The radio industry environment is more volatile than it’s ever been. There’s increased unemployment and unforeseen circumstances that have put people into financial peril. So, when I get an email from someone trying to decide whether to stay put or leave, I always ask “Are your expectations unrealistic within your place of employment?”
PD: I was hired to change the environment and get the numbers up in our cluster. That was 3 years ago prior to the pandemic. I haven't been allowed to make all the adjustments I feel that are necessary. The money is fine, but the company has pushed me into taking on more responsibilities that I am not interested in. I’m frustrated. I'm now my own Promotions Department. We let the Director go. I used to have two street people to cover 4 stations and now I have only one.
Coach: Well, are your numbers up? What is the real issue here? No one ever gets to do everything discussed prior to taking a job. The key is forward motion and meeting the parameters of what your employer considers successful.
PD: I'm so tired of everything being a battle around here to get anything done. I’m putting out feelers for another job. I know there’re fewer openings nowadays, but I feel as though I have to do something.
Coach: Whenever someone is in a frame of mind like this and is thinking about making a change, I always advise them to step back and objectively think if their expectations are line with the evolving situation around them. I learned years ago to have no expectations. It helped me focus on each side of the equation and prepare for a Plan B.
PD: Management says it’s happy with the growth of our stations, but I know it could be so much better if they allowed me the freedom to make more changes. This promotions thing is bugging me.
Coach: Do you feel unappreciated or are you just bored?
PD: Bored and I’m now doing things that I don’t see the relevance in, like more marketing meetings with sales for sales promotions with no programming value.
Coach: Regardless of what I tell you, it sounds like you are ready to leave. How is your relationship with your Market Manager?
PD: I guess it’s okay. But I feel as though he’s my problem. Another example: Our engineer never fixes anything. He patches things for short term without really fixing the actual problem. My reduced air staffs have gotten to the point of not even bothering to fill out the technical discrepancy sheets. I stay on them about it, and I keep writing memos to my market manager. Hell, we’ve needed new mic processors for over a year now. And the engineering office looks like a museum for the unfinished.
Coach: If you don’t like it there, then it’s time to move on. However, I want you to realize that wherever you go, there will always be things that could be better. How long have you been programming?
PD: For 14 years and this is the biggest market I’ve ever been in.
Coach: If you are looking for the perfect job, it doesn’t exist. You said the money is fine, have you talked to your boss about your frustrations?
PD: He has been here for 20 years. He should already know I’m not happy based on my emails about engineering.
Coach: He can’t read your mind. It sounds as if you are at least in a position that it would be worth having a conversation. Does your company have yearly evaluations?
PD: Yes, but I just try and get through mine as quick as possible. When they hired me, I thought I was going to be allowed to make some real change around here. They keep protecting too many people who aren't doing what I think they should be do.
Coach: Realistically, it sounds as if you’ll never be happy where you are. However, you need realistic expectations. There will always be a set of issues wherever you go. Budget changes and added responsibilities are always a possibility.
PD: I don't know. There is such a gloomy feeling around this place. I've talked it over with my wife and she’s said some of the same things you have.
Coach: Well, there it is. Listen to her, because if you get a new job, you might be facing the same set of circumstances that you're dealing with now. It’s a calculated risk. And if you go elsewhere and find a similar administrative approach to radio, you'll find yourself at a crossroad. Either adjust and stay in radio or find a job in another business sector and hope that you don’t walk into the same workplace mindset that caused you to leave broadcasting. What you're feeling is being felt elsewhere among America's workforce. I wish you luck in whatever you decide to do or not do.
Conclusion:
There aren't a lot of gold watches for years of service being handed out these days by companies. You just never know. Take a look at yourself and make the determination as to whether or not you can excel to your satisfaction with where you are. If you can't, leave for the next opportunity and don't look back. Sometimes what you’re looking for is somewhere else. -
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