Is it time for a new job?

Can you identify the signs and when it might be time to move onto pastures new?

by Gemma Mills

Sometimes you find yourself starting to moan that little bit more than usual about something in your life. This is totally normal—healthy even. It doesn't necessarily mean that you are unhappy. But sometimes, this means something has become stale. The moaning has reason and relevance telling you to make a change.

A common time this can happen is in your career. When you have been in a role for a number of years, things can become very ‘comfortable.’ That is not to say unchallenging, it is simply to say that you know where you stand.

When you wake up in the morning, you know where you are going (generally speaking), who the people are going to be (maybe they’re even your friends), and you’re confident in your ability and activities. You know your product, industry, service and company—you might even be an expert.

This sounds great right? Well, sometimes, we are actually in danger of jeopardising our career progression, wider experience and even self-worth. So, how can you identify the signs and when it might be time to move onto pastures new?

Your role and responsibilities

Do these reflect the work you're doing? If not, what are you doing proactively to make sure objectives (business and personal) are in place for the next step to promotion? What evidence do you have to support your progression? Are you receiving support from those mentoring you, and are they looking into this? Take matters into your own hands and be confident in your own worth.

Support and career development

You're at the stage you think you should be, and your job title reflects your responsibilities—great news. Now, how do you develop to the next stage? Have a plan in place with where you want to be next and how you can achieve this—what new skills do you need, what support will help you, what type of experience will be beneficial?

Your value and worth

You are doing a good job and those above you don’t recognise this. If you are starting out in a new role, or with a new manager, give them some time. Hard work often pays off, resulting in reward and appreciation. But be wary of time! If you have been working above and beyond for a while now without any recognition, reward or benefit, it might be time to realise that things just aren’t going to change.

The feeling of dread on your way to work

This seems obvious but can sometimes be disregarded. If you are on your way and have negative feelings about your day already and what lies ahead, it's time to look a little closer. It is said that 90,000 hours are spent at work over a lifetime—that is far too many to spend unhappy.

Trickier still is when you love your job, but the first three factors come into play. At this time, it is a case of deciding: will I be appreciated elsewhere? And have I plateaued, needing a new challenge?

This is a time of uncertainty, and change is hard, but change is also good. It is refreshing, and it can bring amazing new opportunities. ■