Is It Time to Start Looking for a New Job?

Leaving a job is a significant decision. Finding a new position can be overwhelming, and it can often be difficult to determine whether you’re in a bad place or just going through a rough period.

If you find yourself vacillating on whether to go or stay, here are five signs that it’s time to start looking for a new job.  

You Don’t Have Upward Mobility

A smart employee is always thinking about their next step. Ideally, any position you are in should have a clear path towards upward mobility, if not in job title then in compensation. 

Many people can map out their future prospects on their own, but this is not always the case. If your company seems tight-lipped on their plans for your promotion, you may have to take matters into your own hands. Set up a meeting with a supervisor or manager and be frank about what you are looking for in your career. This can range from increased salary and leadership positions to better networking or opportunities for career development. If there is little enthusiasm around your desire to grow, it may be time to move on.  

Your Value is in Question

Perceived value is a significant factor when deciding whether to find a new position. Workers, justifiably, are increasingly inclined to demand a better work-life balance. In response, some companies have expanded services, including paid time-off, parental leave and wellness initiatives, to keep their best people.

Companies that care about their employees want them to stay, and ones that want their workforce to stay have accommodated their range of services. If your organization feels likewise: bring your issues about work-life balance to your superiors to gauge their reaction. If they are willing to accommodate you, they likely value you. If they dismiss your concerns, you might start polishing your resume. There are opportunities out there that will both appreciate your work and honor your time. 

You Aren’t Being Compensated Fairly 

Surprisingly, compensation is not the top reason that employees leave their positions. In fact, only 12% of workers quit their job because of compensation (a huge disconnect for the 89% of bosses that believe it’s the reason). 

That said, unfair compensation is a valid reason to leave a position. Today’s competitive job market allows for applicants to negotiate salary. Begin researching what is standard compensation for your position, and bring that number, along with your full job responsibilities, to your supervisor. If your company is unwilling to negotiate a raise, or give you a solid timeframe on when to expect one, it may be time to move on.

You Don’t Feel Challenged

Being challenged is different from being overwhelmed. While you shouldn’t be stressed to the breaking point, you should feel as though your work is both challenging and adding to your career development. 

Feeling like you might need to be tackling new challenges? Start by doing a little research on positions like yours, potentially in different industries or on a larger scale. That can be useful in determining whether you are just looking for a new project or ready for new opportunities. It could be that your current employer is able to expand your scope of work to support your career development. Or it could be that you should be looking outside for bigger and better things. 

You Feel Excited for Something New

Sometimes, you need to listen to your gut. It could be that your job is perfectly fine but that you have outgrown it. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. If you find yourself daydreaming about your next big move, why not make it a reality? 

Are you ready to start looking? Check out this blog for your next steps.