Sometimes it can be difficult to know whether it’s time to move on from your job. After all, you may love the people you work with, only have a short commute, or experience many benefits that you don’t want to give up. However, in some cases, it’s best not to stay in a company if it isn’t working out.
Below, we outline five keys signs to look out for, which may suggest it’s time to leave your job.
That gut-wrenching feeling that you get before an exam, or when you’re really nervous is certainly not a nice one. Therefore, if you absolutely dread going into work each day, or suffer from the Sunday night blues, it may be worth considering whether it’s time to look for work elsewhere.
There could be a range of factors that make you feel this way. You may be overworked or feel under-valued. Either way, you must address it early on to avoid the situation getting any worse. Your mental health is extremely important.
If you don’t feel passionate about what you do, you won’t find your job rewarding or fulfilling. Feeling motivated to achieve great results is a key factor in the workplace. So if you haven’t got any motivation, it may be time to find a new challenge.
Consider what’s making you feel this way. Is it that you want to learn new skills? Is it that the work is no longer interesting? Whatever it may be, write it all down and then also make a list of what you want from your career and what motivates you. You can then cross-reference these to see what you should look for in your next role.
Similarly, if you can’t see your career going anywhere in your current role, it may be a sign that you should look for more responsibility elsewhere. It’s always best to talk through your ambitions with your manager, to ensure that the company can offer what you’re expecting. If they can’t, think about exploring other options.
Taking the leap into a more senior role in a different company isn’t always easy. However, if you’ve got the passion and drive to succeed, you should have no trouble with the transition.
Your boss should be someone that you respect and want to learn from. The best managers are those that guide their employees, but also give them space to grow and take on new responsibilities. If you feel as if your manager doesn’t support you, or you sit there wondering what they do all day while you work hard, it could be time to move on.
Of course, it’s always worth trying to iron out any issues, particularly if this is just one of the signs that you’re experiencing. After all, it may be that you’re able to have a different manager, or that you could improve your relationship by having regular one-to-one meetings.
If your job leaves you feeling stressed and exhausted, it’s definitely worth considering a change. We spend too much of our time at work to not enjoy it or to let it affect our physical health. Consider what’s making you feel so tired. Are you staying up late to catch up on emails? Are you having sleepless nights because of stress? Are you unable to take a proper break or lunch?
Work-related stress can affect our lives in many ways. Therefore, if you’re feeling particularly worn out, nip it in the bud early and figure out what your next best career move will be.
These are just some of the signs that it may be time to look for a new job. Every individual is different and we all want certain things from our careers. Figure out what’s most important to you in your work life and look for a job which ticks all of these boxes.
When in doubt, speak to your current employer and see if there’s anything they can do to help. If they can’t, don’t fear. There are thousands of jobs out there waiting for talented people like you to fill them.
About the Author
CV-Library is the UK’s leading independent job board and owns a range of other career sites, including Education Jobs. For more expert advice on careers and the workplace, visit their Career Advice and Recruitment Insight pages.
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