Signs It's time to find a new job !

What Should I Do?

Every job has its ups and downs.

But lately, your work has felt like it’s mostly comprised of downs.

You reflect,?“I used to enjoy this, right?”?And you wonder,?“Is this really what I want to do or where I want to be for the next five, 10, or 20 years?”

At the same time, you may remind yourself that you’re lucky.

You’re employed. You have benefits. Maybe you like your team. Or, perhaps you work for a reputable brand where there’s opportunity for growth.?

Is this just a temporary slump?

Is the problem really you—and not the job?

Would jumping ship actually improve your circumstances?

Or would you just find yourself in the same situation at a new job?

Determining whether to stay at, or leave, your job is a highly personal decision—and it’s not always a clear-cut one.

In this lesson, learn to look for five signs that it’s time to find a new job, followed by five reasons you might want to think about staying in your current role.

A Double-Edged Sword

Deciding whether or not to quit your job can feel like a double-edged sword.

On the one hand, if you stay too long at a job that isn’t right for you, then you might miss out on opportunities to feel happier, and more fulfilled and challenged in your work.

But on the other hand, the grass isn’t?always?greener on the other side.

If you leave a job for the wrong reasons, then you might find yourself in the same or an even worse position elsewhere.

See two examples of what might happen if you stay at or leave your job for the wrong reasons:

Mariah

Mariah has a decade of experience at her current company.

However, she’s hit a ceiling.

There are no longer opportunities to move up at her company and in her preferred field.

Mariah has bigger dreams for her career, but she feels like it’s too late to start over at a new job or company.

The application process is such a hassle, and it sounds difficult to meet a new team and build rapport all over again.

Instead, she settles for what she has—and quietly resents her work because of it.

The longer she stays, the more difficult it becomes to leave.

Years pass by, and Mariah grows more complacent and dissatisfied.

Ben

It’s been a rough year since Ben’s current employer hired him.

Ben’s new to his field, and the learning curve was steep.

He is fed up with working long hours, and he feels like he’s not advancing as fast as he thought he’d be.

When Ben’s boss gives him some constructive criticism of his work, Ben can’t take it anymore and explodes.

He quits his job on the spot—and makes a scene telling off his boss.?

It felt good at the moment, but now, Ben is back in the job market.

And he’s already realized that there aren’t many better opportunities for someone at his experience level.

A few months pass by, and Ben still isn’t getting any hits.

Maybe his old job wasn’t so bad after all?

It’s essential that you stay at or leave your job for the right reasons. Never make a rash decision to quit. Instead, critically evaluate your reasoning, and be strategic and deliberate in your decision-making.

Good Reasons to Consider Looking for a New Job

So, what are some signs that it might be time to find a new job? Review the following checklist to see if your reasons check out:

• You want to advance in your career.?

First, it may be a good idea to look for a new job if it’s the best way to advance in your career.

For example, you may reach a place where you’ve developed as much as you can, and there’s no room left to grow where you are.

Or, you may find that there are other opportunities that better align with your long-term career goals.?

• Your job isn’t a good fit.?

You might also consider leaving if your job doesn’t align with your skills, interests, or values—or if your team or company isn’t a good cultural fit.

Your job might also be a bad fit if you don’t believe in your company’s mission and values, or have no sense of pride or connection to your company’s work.

• Work-related stress is affecting your physical health.?

While some stress is inevitable at work—and even healthy for productivity—you may want to take a closer look if work-related stress is having an impact on your physical health.

Warning signs include trouble sleeping, eating too much or too little, gastrointestinal issues, and frequent colds, headaches, or illness.

It’s also a red flag if you start using alcohol or drugs as a way to escape from work-related problems and stress.

• You dread going to work every day.?

Does every workday give you a “case of the Mondays?”

Do you have trouble getting yourself out of bed because you dread going to the office?

It’s normal to have some variation in your mood each day, but it may be time to look for a new job if you consistently feel unhappy, anxious, or pessimistic at work.

A drop in productivity, performance, or motivation is also a red flag.

• You work in a hostile or toxic work environment.?

Finally, you should look for other opportunities if you’re working in a hostile or toxic work environment.

For example, you’ll likely want to start sending out applications if you witness unethical business practices—or if you experience bullying, harassment, discrimination, or other abusive behaviours at work.

Pay attention to the way you describe your work to friends, family members, or your significant other.

If complaints and negative talk dominate your conversations about work, then it may be a good sign that it’s time to make a change.??

Bad Reasons to Consider Looking for a New Job

In contrast, here are a few examples of less-compelling reasons to look for a new job:

• You have a bad day (or couple of days).?

No job is going to be perfect.

You will have good days, bad days, and everything in-between.

It’s normal for some projects to feel more or less exciting than others.

Don’t call it quits just because you have a few bad days or weeks.?

• You haven’t explored internal opportunities first.?

Have you explored internal tools and options for resolving the issue?

If not, then you may want to make this your starting point.

For example, if you’re feeling bored or unchallenged in your work, try talking to your manager and see what opportunities exist to take on new challenges.

Or, if you’re looking to make a change in your career, you might first explore internal job opportunities to climb the ladder or move laterally at your current company.

• You experience a setback at work.?

Also, don’t quit your job because of a temporary setback at work.

Whether your boss gives you feedback that you don’t like—or you get passed for a promotion—avoid making rash decisions based on emotion.

Instead, take a step back and see what you might learn from the situation or how you might grow from there.

• You’re impatient.?

Finally, some employees act impulsively when they’re impatient with the difficulties they’re facing at work or aren’t yet where they want to be.

Consider whether you need to give the situation more time.

You may find that leaning into your problems and working harder are better ways to achieve the outcomes you seek.

Summary

In the end, only you can decide what’s best for you.

You owe it to yourself and to your career to evaluate your reasons for staying or quitting—and determine whether or not finding a new job is what you really need and want.

It may be time to find a new position if your current role doesn’t align with your professional interests or goals, or if you’ve reached a dead end in your career development and advancement.

A few other signs that it’s time for a change are if you’re consistently unhappy or unexcited about your work, if your physical health suffers due to work-related stress, or if you work with people who create a toxic or hostile work environment.

Always consider internal tools and opportunities before turning to external ones.

At the same time, don’t hesitate to take control of your career and make a change if your current job is no longer a good fit.?

Stay on good terms.?

If you decide that it’s time to find a new job, avoid burning bridges on your way out.

Give appropriate notice.

Have a plan in place.

And do everything you can to make the transition smooth for your former boss and team.

They may be important contacts to have in your network for landing the position that is right for you.

Want to know how to make a successful career transition? click here

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