Green and Looking for Green

In the advertising industry, people rarely say "good-bye" when leaving an agency, it's almost always "see you later".  No matter how big the city, the advertising world is a tight-knit community where five plus years at the same place is considered an eternity.  This may sound strange, but job-hopping isn't only accepted, it's expected, particularly for junior-level talent looking to rapidly beef up their salary.  Now I'm not saying this is a bad idea, in fact sometimes it's critical, but it's important to recognize that the grass isn't always greener.

Being in HR, employees often approach me with telltale signs that they're contemplating a move.  Sometimes they take the "I've got a friend who . . . " approach, but most times they're looking for someone to have a frank soul-searching chat with.  That initial conversation rarely touches on money.  Instead, they bring up work/life balance, challenge, opportunity for growth, etc., but sometimes, when the resignation is handed in, it becomes clear that money is what led them to taking the call and accepting the offer. 

So where's the disconnect?  For starters, agencies need to follow Daniel Pink's advice and pay their people adequately and equitably.  There is a lot of misinformation out there on his analysis of what motivates good performance, so his words from Drive bear repeating: "Effective organizations compensate people in amounts and in ways that allow individuals to mostly forget about compensation and instead focus on the work itself." (p. 170)  This doesn't mean that well-paid employees won't still leave for more money, they do, but it doesn't do poachers any favors.  For recruiters, it is painfully obvious which companies are getting this right; their people don't return calls. 

To the employees I say this, pick up the phone, you'll never hear me dissuade you from answering the door when opportunity knocks, but understand your priorities and goals in advance of the conversation.  When dollar signs are flashing in your pupils, it's a bad time to be figuring out what's most important to you . . . you're simply not seeing things clearly.  If money is at the top of your list and that's what the new opportunity can offer, then well done.  If, however, you are looking for something else, be forewarned, it might already be in your backyard.  Do your homework and talk not with employees at the new place, but with those who've left.  They will give you valuable perspective and a dash of reality.  Remember, it is the recruiter's job to make the role sound like the greatest thing since sliced bread.

If you've already made the leap and didn't know what you had 'til it was gone, don't be afraid to "boomerang" or even "threepeat".  As long as you didn't burn any bridges, or at the very least are prepared to rebuild them, you've got a shot.  While you may have left, former employees are a proven commodity and have a leg up on the competition.  If you're desperate to get back, but there aren't any positions open, start campaigning anyway.  They may be able to make a place for you, especially if you have a valuable and unique skill set. 

So, if you're green and looking for green, the greenest green might just be where you've been.