6 Signs It’s Time to Change Your Job

Starting a new job is like popping the cork off a champagne bottle, everything is merry and bubbly. But for many there comes a point when the fizz disappears and all we are left with is a bitter taste. We lack the motivation to go to work, we crave the weekend but then spend the whole time stressing about what Monday will bring.

At the same time, we often feel an obligation to our employers. We don’t want to up and leave and let the company down. On top of this, there is still the attitude that life isn’t so bad and at least you have a job.

With all this in mind, it makes it very difficult to know when the right time is to leave your job. Should you stay or should you go? We've come up with 6 signs that are strong indicators that it's time to make a career move.

#1. You’re constantly exhausted and stressed

Regardless of what we have to do, if it’s an activity that we aren’t looking forward to, our mood changes. Richard Branson, the founder of Virgin, is a strong believer of loving what you do to make a living.

Considering the amount of time we spend at work, it’s normal that when you aren’t in the right position, you are going to feel stressed about going to work and feel stressed when you are there. In the past, you revelled in the idea of a new project, now it’s become just another chore.

This stress rolls over into our personal lives. We stop enjoying our free time. Even sleeping becomes more difficult. This has various knock-on effects. You can become more irritable with your family, and you’re more likely to become sick because your immune system is weak.

#2. You’ve outgrown your role

You might assume that once we reach adulthood, our interests tend to level out. Adults know what their skills are, they know their strengths and weaknesses. While we don’t change as much as a teenager (virtually impossible), as time goes by we still grow as a person.

So, when we start a job, this new role may be the ideal match for the person we are at that stage. A new job often involves a steep learning curve, which is motivating and, at the same time, it expands our skill sets. But what happens after a few years? We literally get to a stage where we’ve outgrown the role and this leads to boredom.

#3. You don’t have the same faith in the company

It’s like that feeling when your favourite restaurant stops serving the dish you fell in love with. You can feel the wave of disappointment and confusion as to why they would do such a thing. The same thing happens when your employer makes a decision you don’t agree with or when your mentality changes and can’t see things the same way management does. Quite often, you don’t feel as proud as you used to working for this company.

#4. There’s a lack of recognition

You've poured your heart and soul into a project but you receive little more than a pat on the back. It used to be that our salary was the compensation for a job well done but today employees are looking for acknowledgement. This could be in the form of praising words, a bonus, or a promotion. But when you start to feel like others are getting all of the credit for your efforts, it’s a sure sign you need to move on.

#5. You’re staring at the clock

Again, if you go back to the beginning of your time with the company, you’ll remember that there were never enough hours in the day. You would have been willing to work through breaks and even take work home. On the contrary, when you go to work now, you find yourself constantly checking the time to see if the moment has finally arrived to pack up for the day.

#6. Other reasons to move

There are a few signs to watch out for that are not related to your skills or motivation. If you feel like there has been a culture shift in the workplace, this might be enough for you to start looking for other opportunities. Sometimes the company has to make financial cuts or move location, neither of which are appealing to you. It’s also possible that the levels of communication aren’t as they used to be, and you feel like there are more suitable working conditions for you.

Things to bear in mind before making a decision

Probably one of the most important things to decide is whether there is still the possibility of regaining the enjoyment you once had.

Ask yourself and your managers if there is room to advance your skills and your career. You should remember that having a good job is about more than a good salary. Sometimes it is worth telling your employer the same thing: that you aren’t looking for more money but for more opportunities.

It’s also worth understanding that the career process isn’t the same as it was. We talk about the career path as if we want to reach the top and, in many cases, this isn’t possible. The career process today is a cycle that follows these phases:

• Self-assessment
• Investigation
• Marketing
• Career management
• Reevaluation
• Renewal

Before making any decisions, decide which phase of the cycle you are in. Make sure you are aware of your career vision and where your passion lies. Can your current employer fulfil these visions?

Finally, remember that there is a right time to leave. Before you take the leap, consider any bonuses that may be due, or holiday time owed. If it’s the salary that is driving you, you should ask for an increase before leaving as this could be enough to re-inspire you. In an ideal world, you should make sure you have another job lined up before leaving your current position: it’s one of life’s rules that it’s much easier to find a job when you already have one.

If you want a job abroad, visit our jobs portal to see the latest vacancies. Our site includes a downloadable All You Need to Know guide which will tell you all you need to know about living and working offshore.