It can be difficult to know when it’s the right time to find a new job when you’re stuck in a routine, appreciate aspects of your job, earn a decent salary, or even just like working with your colleagues. It takes courage and clarity to identify what aspects of the job are no longer working in favour of your career or work/life goals. It takes time to reflect honestly about what you want to achieve, and what you want to gain from the many hours you put into your work.
If you are facing some of these challenges at your current job, it might be a sign for you that it’s time to move on and you’re ready to start something new.
how to tell when it's time to find a new job:
1. you feel unappreciated
Spending long hours at work and pushing yourself to do your best can sometimes go unnoticed, which can lead to demotivation. This heavily impacts your daily motivation at the workplace, resulting in frustration and resentment - none of which are a healthy mindset for thriving.
If you’re feeling undervalued, it's first worth initiating a conversation with your manager about your current frustrations and challenges. Do a diagnosis of the situation with your manager. But equally, take it as an opportunity to independently reflect on what it is you want from your employer, why you feel undervalued, and what is the root cause of the problem. In some cases, you may conclude that your current workplace is not actually a good cultural fit for you and it's time to start your search elsewhere.
2. nothing interests you
Feeling a little bored within a job can be normal - after all, every role comes with its share of tedium.
However, if you’re constantly feeling bored for the last few months, it could be a sign that warrants a discussion with your manager. Be proactive and ask for what you want! Perhaps it's more job responsibilities, new challenges or simply ongoing training opportunities. If you don’t see changes after your chat, then you should consider whether it is time to make your move.
3. you're exhausted
Dreading the thought of work or struggling to get proper rest? It’s time to pay attention to what your body is telling you. Anxiety about work could manifest itself as lack of energy, lack of appetite, restlessness, poor sleep and general irritability. If the stress is impacting you after hours, on the weekends and even while you sleep, you should be considering whether it’s healthy or not for you to stay.
4. you can’t stop talking about work
You just finished work for the day, but you find yourself talking about work constantly.
Talking about a bad day with your family and friends is normal — but when you become fixated and spend too much time talking about it outside your workplace, that’s a sign.
Reflect how you talk about your job and perhaps ask your family and loved ones what common topics are brought up often. If they're mostly negative, then it’s probably time for a change.
If you feel you are experiencing any these warning signs, it’s time to take a courageous look. As psychologist Susan David once said, "emotions are data sources", so take an objective look at the signs and what they're telling you. It's an opportunity to reflect and discuss what you want your work life to look like — what kind of job you want, what kind of environment you want to work in and what kind of relationship you want with your career — and to take your career into your own hands.