Do you think it’s time for a career move? Is changing roles or companies going to be the right decision for you? Are you happy and achieving where you are? In order to answer this, consider why you first took your current postition, which factors made you take this job over another, write them down and try to be as specific as possible. You can start to compare your current situation with what you envisaged when you signed your contract, if these don’t match, it may be time to move on…
Here are six signs you need to review your situation.
1 – Days are very repetitive and you’re bored
Spending the majority of your working day on non-work-related tasks such as shopping, browsing the internet for diet tips and trying to beat your best score on Angry Birds is a definite warning sign. Don’t get me wrong, quick breaks can work well for some, but prolonged boredom is a tell-tale sign that you’re not in the right role.
2 – You feel you can’t be yourself at work
Someone’s opinion of you does not have to become your reality. We are all unique, we all have strengths and weaknesses, that’s the beauty of the world we live in. You should always be able to be that unique version of yourself and even more so at work. If you’re spending 8-10 hours per day scared to talk, not offering your actual opinion, and trying to hide who you are, it’s time to move on.
3 – You’re not performing to your true potential
When starting a new role, you often don’t get much of a say in what you do, therefore you understand if every task isn’t a challenge. However, once you’ve proven your worth, you should have the opportunity to shine. This is when you start showing people what you can do and how good you are. Not maximising your full potential is both limiting to your company and your career, look for jobs that enable you to excel and develop.
4 – Your job doesn’t fit your personal goals
I would strongly recommend you refer to your list for this one. Going to work to pay bills and keep your employer happy is good but what’s more important is getting what you want out of your job. Do you feel the role makes you a better person? What are you learning? How important are the skills you’re learning? Do you travel too much? How is your work-life balance? These questions all need to be answered before you decide to look elsewhere.
5 – You have no time, respect, love, patience or empathy for your boss
We live in a world where not everybody gets along and that’s fine as long as it doesn’t affect you outside of work. I talk to a lot of people about leaving jobs and the reasons can vary from; wanting to work closer to home to the coffee machine no longer being free (that wasn’t the only reason for that person wanting to leave). Of those, I talk to about leaving jobs, at least 80% state their boss is the reason for them wanting to leave. If your boss doesn’t inspire and motivate you, if you don’t look up to them and admire them for what they’ve achieved, it’s time to look for a new one…
6 – You can’t imagine a future in your company
Again your list should be able to help with this. Can you see yourself doing this role in six months’ time? What about a year? If you can look ahead to what you will be doing over the next 12 months, feel motivated, and look forward to the challenges, maybe things aren’t so bad.
You will notice I haven’t spoken about money; whilst money is, of course, one of the most important factors about working, I strongly believe that happiness and job satisfaction are just as crucial. If you don’t enjoy work and you dread Mondays or any other day for that matter, it’s time to change. To finish off on a clichéd but valid point, there isn’t a lack of money in the world but there is a lack of time - you only get one chance at life, so do something you love with people you like.
