Should I Stay or Should I Go? Evaluating a Career Move in 2026
- Apr 1
- 7 min read
Committing to spending your entire career with one specific company doesn't necessarily guarantee success in the UK today. Even if your current employer has no plans to downsize or eliminate your role soon, staying put could be the wrong decision.
With specific skill shortages on the rise, despite the total number of vacancies falling in the UK, candidates have more freedom to choose where they want to work than ever before. The decision to switch to a new company could help you find a workplace with a better culture, more flexibility, and more development opportunities than you can access today.
You could improve your earning potential by moving to a new employer. According to one report, while staying with the same employer in a high-growth industry could earn you a 5.9% annual increase, jumping to another company could earn you an additional 9% or more.
Of course, that doesn't mean that switching companies is always the right decision. In this article, I'll guide you through the steps you can take to decide whether now is the right time for you to take a chance and explore new career avenues.
Market Analysis: The Job Market in 2026
Employers are actively investing in candidates with new skills to help them navigate technological changes and increasing competition – but they're willing to pay more for talent, too.
According to the Financial Times, in the UK companies invest more in talent acquisition, learning and development, and overall recruitment despite economic downturns. Plus, the rise of remote and hybrid working opportunities means that you could find that you can apply for a more diverse range of roles than ever before – exploring opportunities with companies all over the world.
However, there are still challenges for you as a candidate to navigate. Rising opportunities for remote workers mean more jobs are available, but more people compete for them. Plus, while demand for skilled candidates is high, the skills companies are prioritising are changing. You may, therefore, need to invest more heavily in learning and development to prepare for evolving roles.
Is it Time for a Career Move? Making the Right Choice
Deciding whether to stay with your current employer or move to a new company is a significant step. You shouldn't just be considering a move because you believe you can access a higher salary or a more impressive job title. You should decide based on your overall career goals, market understanding, and priorities.
Here are three key steps to prepare yourself to make the right choice when evaluating a career move in 2026.
Step 1: Assessing Your Current Situation
Start by reflecting on your current company and the relationship you have with your workplace. How connected do you feel with the values and missions of your current employer? Do you have a true sense of purpose in your role, and are you fulfilled by what you do?
How much progress are you making towards your specific goals with this company? If you want to move into a leadership position five years from now, will your current employer deliver the development plans and learning experiences to help you get there? Does the organisation have a succession planning strategy in place?
Ask yourself what you like and dislike about the current company you're working with. Do you love the company culture but don't have enough flexibility in your role or schedule? Are you being adequately compensated for your work and skills? If unsure, use salary benchmarking to compare your current remuneration with what's available in your specific market sector.
Lastly, look at your current skills. Are you using them effectively in your role? Do you have skills that could be easily transferred to other positions?
Step 2: Identifying Your Priorities
Knowing what you want from your career is crucial to determining whether a move to a new company is the right decision. A good place to start is with salary expectations.
Although you likely want more from your next role than a good salary, a career move could be a good choice if you're currently being paid less than what you're worth and your employer isn't willing to negotiate an increase. According to Forbes, employees who stay in companies for longer than two years can sometimes be paid 50% less.
Beyond the desire for a better salary, ask yourself what will motivate you to move to another company. Are you seeking new opportunities to learn, be challenged, and expand your skills with mentorship programs and training strategies? Do you want to experiment with the latest technologies and processes unavailable in your current workplace?
Are you looking for a better work-life balance – more opportunities for remote and flexible work or a more significant focus from your company on wellbeing? Is a good cultural fit important to you? Maybe you want to work for a company emphasising cross-functional collaboration, diversity and inclusion, or sustainability.
Step 3: Examining the Potential for Change
Next, consider whether it's the right time for a move. Start by evaluating the job market in your sector. Is it expanding or contracting? Industries experiencing growth often offer more opportunities and stability under their employ. If your industry is in a downturn or many companies are "downsizing", this might indicate it's not a good time to search for a role.
Ask yourself how stable your current job is, too. Suppose your organisation is shifting its focus, and you're worried about the longevity of your role. In that case, it might be time to start considering alternatives, even if you're mostly happy with where you currently work.
If you know your current job is stable but unsure whether there are many opportunities for someone with your skills, ask yourself if you're financially resilient enough to manage a transition. Finding another company you want to move to can take time, so it's worth ensuring you have a financial buffer to handle any gaps.
Finally, consider whether you have the skills you need to move into the type of role you want. Conduct a skills gap analysis and ask yourself whether you need to invest in learning and development before considering switching career paths.
Moving to a New Company: Preparing Your Action Plan for Evaluating a Career Move in 2026
After examining all the factors above, if you decide that moving to a new company is the right choice, developing a structured action plan will improve your chances of success. Here's how to ensure you're ready to make the transition.
Conduct a Skills Gap Analysis
Start by evaluating the skills required for the market sector roles you're targeting. Review job descriptions, industry standards, and feedback from your network to identify gaps in your expertise. Use online resources, in-person classes, workshops, and mentorship programs to fill these gaps. Upskilling demonstrates initiative and can give you more opportunities to choose from.
Activate your Network
Your professional network is one of your most valuable assets. Inform trusted market sector contacts about your career goals and ask for advice or referrals. Attend industry events, webinars, and workshops to connect with new professionals in your field. Engage actively on LinkedIn by sharing insights, commenting on posts, and participating in relevant groups. Consider connecting with recruitment companies that specialise within your preferred market.
Update your CV
Before applying to new roles, ensure you have an ‘attention grabbing’ CV which is up to date. This should highlight the most relevant skills and credentials for your desired roles. Remember to consider your online presence and profiles, too. Updating your LinkedIn profile, for instance, can make attracting the attention of specialist recruiters and potential employers easier.
Develop an Application and Interview Strategy
Define a clear application plan to avoid wasting time on irrelevant opportunities. Research companies that align with your values, interests, and career goals. Tailor each application to the specific role and company, ensuring your cover letter meets their needs. Make sure you're prepared for success by working on your interviewing skills.
Prepare to Negotiate
When you receive an offer, approach negotiation with confidence. Research typical salaries for the role using tools like Glassdoor or industry reports to establish your value. When considering the total package, factor in benefits like flexible working, bonuses, allowances, pension contributions and professional development opportunities. Make sure you're ready to get the offer you deserve.
Is It Time for a Fresh Start in your Career?
Deciding to move to a new company can be daunting, but it can also be the best way to take the next step towards your long-term career goals. Carefully assessing your current situation, the job market, and priorities will help you decide if now is the right time for a change.
Prepare Now!
If you're considering making the switch, use the tips above to prepare for the transition, and remember to leverage the resources available to you. Seek professional advice to ensure you present yourself to prospective employers in the best way possible. You will be entering a highly competitive process where there will be just one winner, and you need to ensure that will be you.
Do not leave your preparation until the last minute when you see an advert for your ideal role. You need to be fully prepared in advance so you can react in a timely manner.
Bob Garton can help you make better career decisions and work in ways that play to your natural talents and streamline your migration to a new company.
Following an initial ‘no charge’ initial career consultation, Bob can
Assess your skills to guide you towards your more suitable job functions
Prepare an attention-grabbing CV that will get you past ‘non-human’ selection processes
Prepare a Linkedin Profile to align with your CV
Prepare a sample ideal Application Covering 'Letter'
Prepare you for video and face-to-face interviews which incorporates Hints & Tips and up to 200 interview FAQ’s.
Prepare you for a ‘Live’ Interview
Undertake Post Interview Follow-Up & Analysis.
Bob has spent more than 35 years working at the heart of executive recruitment. During that time, he has supported thousands of professionals in strengthening their CVs, preparing them for interviews, and helping people like you secure roles aligned with their experience and ambitions.
Call: 07850 366108
Email: bob@bobgarton.co.uk
