Six signs you need to leave your position

Many executives will examine their career in a harder, more critical way this year, as the year prompted many to reconsider work-life balance and personal values within their overall career ambitions. This includes determining whether they should stay loyal to their current employer - or start the process of looking elsewhere for a new executive appointment to step outside of their comfort zone and seek out further challenges. 

Included below are the main hints you may be missing, indicating that it may be time to seek new opportunities in the market. 

Negative energy in your home life

Unfortunately, it is human nature to complain, since no one, nothing, and no job will ever be 100% perfect. When you finally sign off an email, do you bring home a really poor attitude into your home life? Toxic, consistent negativity could indicate your career isn’t aligned with your values. This can be explored further by writing a list of all of the parts of your role/company that you enjoy and find fulfillment in.

Too comfortable in your role

While you might think being comfortable and confident in your role is indicative of success, it could mean the opposite. Those who can thrive within their careers are those who are brave enough to be uncomfortable within their career. If you wait until you’re unhappy, you run the risk of taking just anything that comes by to get out, instead of the right next position. 

Having success in a position is great - it makes us happy to go to work every day, and more able to apply ourselves completely to solving problems. But when you’re in control, you’re much better positioned to take your time and make sure you’ve sourced the right appointment that aligned to your long term career goals.

It is “just a job” mentality

For those who consider themselves ambitious and set inspiring goals for both their careers and personal lives, a job is never merely just that. Instead, their 9 to 5 is an avenue where they propel their skills forward and dedicate themselves to a life of learning and progression. Beyond identifying the irritation, think about what it is you wish was different in your responsibilities, role, involvement, or team. If we give ourselves the chance, to be honest, we can usually break it down to something specific about our work or role. Before you jump ship to another job, allow yourself the opportunity to see if what you’re missing or wanting can be attained where you are at first.

Lack of challenge 

Being highly skilled and deciding you want to take on new responsibilities at work is one thing and mindlessly going through the motions instead of being engaged in another. Every professional can reach a plateau in a job they’re great at, but this doesn’t mean they’ve reached the top. Rather, it’s more like you’re idling, waiting for your career to steer you instead of taking the wheel yourself. 

Work environment is unhealthy

The risk in starting a new role is that you can’t fully predict the culture. Since all companies want to show the strongest version of the office environment, you only know what goes on between managers and co-workers once you’ve signed on the dotted line and joined the team formerly. It’s important to talk the situation through with an impartial party, as there is a difference between a one-off remark, or if it’s cascading down from senior management. Assess whether there is potential for the situation to change by talking to your hiring manager or your bosses boss, and if you have fully explored all avenues, it might be best to move on.

Feeling physically/mentally unhealthy

Everyone knows when they’re performing to their full potential and when they’re struggling to perform. Even people who are engaged in their roles will feel emotionally and physically drained during busy periods. However, if you’ve noticed a downward spiral in your overall health and your ability to concentrate. To identify the cause, try to set smarter work-life boundaries and see if your condition improves.

If the above points are relatable, it could be time to start the search for suitable appointments. With 2020 being a very challenging year for businesses and employees alike, take your time seeking a new appointment that matches your career ambitions and your value beliefs. 

Market depending, it may take anywhere from 3-9 months to find an interesting opportunity at C-Suite level and complete the recruitment process, it is important to have patience throughout this time.

We are available to share our healthcare market insights and advice on appropriate next steps to source a new appointment, reach out to myself on [email protected] for a confidential discussion on your personal circumstance.