The Importance of Family in Career Decisions

Family and career decisions should be dealt with at the same time. Often while searching for jobs, people do not consider this.  Your family will also need to deal with the career choices that you make, but if you make all of your decisions based on job titles and position, you may find that you’re losing your family in the process.

Location is Important

Frequent moves can cause children to have to leave behind friends, change schools often and never feel settled in their lives. Spouses that frequently have to change jobs and follow you around are another consideration. There needs to come a point when you stay in one place for many years at a time. As you get older, this is even more important. People want to make a life for themselves, but constant moving can cause even the strongest couples to bicker and fight. Always talk it over with your family and find out how they feel about a move.

Time is Limited

You can always find jobs in other cities that offer just a little more money; just a little more prestige. However, you must think about the time commitment a career decision will have on your family.

• Will you be on call day and night?
• Will you be able to spend as much time with your kids?
• Will you and your spouse be able to spend time together?

Your time is limited. If you’re not able to spend valuable time with your family, it doesn’t make sense to change careers or go for a promotion. You need to remember that time is one of the most valuable resources that we have. If you choose to spend all your time at work, you’ll never be able to have a close knit family life.

Prestige and Money are Not Everything

Some job openings are only about prestige and money. In fact, many professionals will move up the ladder for what works out to be only a few dollars more per hour. While the extra money may be nice, the position has you:

• Working longer hours
• Taking on extra responsibilities

At the end of the day, you need to determine if a career move will be worth it. Will working 5 hours more per week mean that you’ll never be able to see your son’s basketball games, or your spouse will have to leave their job to care for the children?

These are considerations that you will need to think about when looking at making a career move. Major career decisions will have an impact on your family.

Talking decisions over before making a choice is the best way to avoid these problems.

Families have patience, but they also need to be in control of what’s best for them as well. If everyone is constantly making sacrifices so you can grow in your career, it may be time to put them first.

JobTonic is the ideal place to search for a job. The company promotes family values and offers solid advice when it comes to family in career decisions.