How do you feel about the next day’s work as Sunday night rolls around? Are you indifferent, or is there an underlying sense of stress and fear as your mind drifts to that office? When was the last time you truly appreciated what you bring to the table in this job? Do colleagues or friends often hear complaints from your end regarding any issues with your employment situation? These are the early signs it could be time to change jobs. The change could be anything from a simple switch between departments, to a change of employer altogether.
In this Article:
How do you know when it’s time to change careers?
The answers vary from person to person and situation to situation. However, there are some clear signs it could be time to change jobs. Here are 12 of them:
1. Are you learning, having fun, and adding value?
There are three questions you should ask yourself when you wonder if it is time for a change. Are you mastering something new? Do you inspire others with your knowledge and skills? Are you having a good time while doing this? If the answer to one of these questions is no, it’s time to consider a change. Ask yourself why this situation happened in the first place. Then think of the steps that you need to take to return “yes” again. Change begins here.
2. You feel like you’re not making a difference
Do you often feel like your current job or career position isn’t making a difference? Do you feel like you need to contribute something of value to the company, or that your work doesn’t have a lasting impact? If so, it could be time to change jobs and find a role that offers more fulfilling challenges and opportunities.
Take the time to research and explore different roles or companies that align with your values and interests. Spend time researching different job roles or industries, and get to know the people within them. Doing so could help you identify what it is that truly drives you. Additionally, I will unlock a new level of motivation to pursue your next career move with enthusiasm and purpose.
3. You feel undervalued and unappreciated
Do you often feel devalued by your current employer? Do you feel like your work needs to be acknowledged or appreciated? If so, it may be time to change jobs. Feeling valued and respected should not be a luxury, it should be a necessity for everyone.
Find a job where you are excited to put in the hard work and know that your dedication is appreciated. Moving on from an unappreciated role can open up new opportunities to develop new skills, learn about different industries, and expand your career path.
4. You’re not being allowed to advance your career
Change may be necessary if you have been in the same job for a while and feel like there is no room to grow. It is also necessary if you feel like you are stuck in a dead-end job in which your current employer does not help you develop new skills to reach the next level. These are clear signs it could be time to change jobs so pay attention if you feel that this is your situation.
5. Your relationships at work have changed
If you no longer feel like your coworkers are supportive or if there has been a change in your team dynamics, change may be necessary. It’s important to have relationships at work that promote diversity and foster collective success. Move on if you feel like change is needed to maintain a healthy and productive working environment.
6. You no longer believe in the company like you used to
When you first started working at your current job, it seemed full of promise and you were proud to call yourself an employee. Lately, though, the atmosphere has shifted and your faith in the organization isn’t as unwavering as before.
Has the company’s recent decisions left you feeling disgruntled? Do you believe that a management shakeup has had more adverse than positive effects? Your outlook has changed and the company is not living up to its values as much as it used to. If any of these apply, then it may be time for a change in direction.
7. You spend a lot of time thinking about what your career move could be
Daydreaming about your next career move is one of the signs it could be time to change jobs. Have you been researching potential opportunities and spending time learning new skills that are transferable to a different job? Or, have you taken courses related to a future industry? Perhaps now is the perfect time to start exploring a change of career.
If you’ve been asking yourself any of these questions, it could be time to change jobs and find the right job for you. By taking the time to assess where you are in your current career path, you can start building a plan to make the transition easier. Consider researching other positions that align with your skills, interests, and core values.
8. You’re watching the clock
Every morning, you used to awaken feeling energized for the day ahead and would even stay late voluntarily in order to take on more projects. Nowadays, however, it’s a different story—you can’t wait until you’re off work and out of there as soon as possible. Rather than seeking additional opportunities or ways to go above and beyond your duties, you settle with merely doing what is expected of you.
Everyone should be able to work in a stimulating and motivating job. If your current role doesn’t challenge or engage you, or if there’s no room for growth with your employer, it could be time for you to take the initiative and find something that inspires passion within yourself once again.
9. Your skills do not match up to your personal interests
You can be exceptionally talented in a particular field, yet you may need more passion to take it further. For instance, you may be well-versed in software sales but would rather dabble in marketing. Or you could create spreadsheets efficiently but you’d prefer engaging customers instead of being entrenched with your computer all day long.
If this is the case, change may be necessary. Consider what skills you currently have that can help you move toward a new industry or job type. If you’re feeling overqualified for your current role, take the opportunity to start exploring and researching different career paths to see if there’s something else out there that could suit you better.
10. You’re feeling physical symptoms
Do you often feel fatigued and drained, both physically and mentally? Are you unable to get good sleep due to anxiety surrounding work? Feeling overwhelmed with burnout or underappreciated by your employer can affect your health. Consequently, you may develop mental and physical fatigue.
If you’re experiencing any of these physical symptoms, it may be time to change jobs. Take the necessary steps forward by starting to explore potential new positions within other companies or industries, gaining new skills and experiences as you go. Doing so could help you breathe life into your career again and revitalize your physical health.
11. You feel invisible
Do you feel like your employer doesn’t value or recognize your contributions? Do they actively promote workforce diversity and consider new ideas and approaches when integrating change into processes? If so, then is time to move on.
Change can bring about great opportunities — not only for yourself professionally, but for the company too. Take the initiative to find a job more aligned with your core values and beliefs. A job where you can be sure you’ll feel supported and appreciated by your co-workers and employer. Doing so could help you develop meaningful relationships and lead to career advancement in the future.
12. You’ve just grown out of your current role
Life is change, and change is inevitable. Goals naturally change over time due to different life phases. This could mean that your current role no longer suits you as it once did when you first started out.
Take the initiative to explore and research other jobs or industries that could benefit from your current skill set and help you grow. This could also be a great opportunity for you to start learning new things. Broadening your knowledge and developing skills will help you progress further in your career.
Be sure to take the time to reflect on what it is that truly drives you and motivates you. From there, figure out which job or industry best fits your interests, values, and goals. Changing jobs is a big decision. If you’re feeling enthusiastic about what’s to come for your career, it could be the right time to make your next move.
How often should you change your job?
How often you change jobs depends on the individual. This is a tough question to answer as there are various factors to consider, including the kind of work you do, how well you perform it, and if you are still learning something new in each role. It ultimately depends on each individual’s personal goals and career trajectory: some people find stability in having long-term roles at companies they know and trust, while others may find that change tends to bring a certain level of excitement. Depending on what’s important to one’s professional growth, either approach can have its advantages and drawbacks. However, no matter which route one chooses, it’s important to ensure change is initiated out of free will instead of necessity.
A word from SublimePeople
These are the early signs it could be time to change jobs. As scary as it may be to make a change, sometimes it is absolutely necessary. If any of the above signs resonate with you, it could be time for a change. Don’t let yourself stay in a job that isn’t making you happy or fulfilling your needs. Life is too short to settle for anything less than what you deserve!
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