10 Signs – It’s Time to Find a New Job
Thinking about leaving your current position, but not sure you’ve got a good enough reason to jump ship and start looking for a new job? Nervous that the economic impact of the pandemic may put your position in jeopardy? How do you know when it’s time to find a new job?
A host of factors might enter into your thinking when you’re trying to decide if it’s time for a new job, especially in today’s unprecedented environment. Even if your job feels safe right now, how do you know if a furlough or layoff is on the horizon?
There’s no lack of career advice related to the topic. Right now, some job seekers may be focused solely on finding a job with a steady income that will carry them through these uncertain times, while others are zeroed in on their career path. Some may be weighing work-life integration issues, and others may find themselves anywhere on that spectrum, with career at one end and family and personal life at the other.
Whatever the case for you, it’s worth considering a few factors if you’re deciding whether to quit your job and launch a new job search.
1. It Looks Like a Layoff or Furlough Is Imminent
COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine has sent the world into a tailspin, and the effects on the economy as a whole have been jarring. If you’re in an industry that is particularly susceptible to the negative economic impacts of the pandemic, it may be time to start looking for a new position that can more easily weather the storm.
How can you tell if a furlough or layoff is impending, though? If your coworkers are being laid off or furloughed or industry peers are taking drastic measures, that’s a good indication that, at the very least, things are unstable. Similarly, other signs that change could be coming include:
- Your workload has decreased significantly
- Business as a whole has slowed down
- Key accounts are struggling with payment or are no longer clients
If you notice any (or all) of these happening in your workplace—especially in the current job market—consider getting a jump on your job search.
2. Every Night Feels Like Sunday Night
Are you always eyeing “greener pastures”? Feeling stressed or anxious about having to report for work the next day every day? As a kid, you might have experienced feelings of dread on Sunday night, knowing that school was starting the next day. And now, as an adult, you feel the same way about work.
You may feel under-appreciated because of a lack of positive feedback, a subpar work environment, or perhaps there’s little support from supervisors or colleagues. But when every night starts feeling like a Sunday night (and every day at work feels like a Monday morning), it might be time to dust off your resume.
3. There’s Little or No Work Flexibility
COVID-19 has turned most businesses into remote companies. While you may enjoy working from home now, perhaps your company previously didn’t offer much in the way of work flexibility and has indicated that employees will soon be returning to the office. Going back to your commute doesn’t excite you and the lack of flexibility makes it difficult to manage children and life’s uncertainties.
If you’re worried any newfound flexibility won’t last and negotiating permanent remote work will go nowhere, it may be time to find a new job.
4. Your Work Performance Is Starting to Suffer
Do you notice that your enthusiasm for your job has significantly lessened and that your job performance has some definite room for improvement? If you feel like you’re going through the motions every day in your job, it may be time to address this with your boss to see if you can work together to find a resolution.Depending on how that goes, decide what your next move will be. Give it a chance, but don’t let it worsen, either. Establish timelines for yourself and act accordingly based on progress.
5. You’ve Learned Everything You Can
A new job can be exciting as you learn new policies, procedures, and protocols. After some time, though, you might feel as if you’ve outgrown your position, especially if you’re not learning anything new. You may have taken all the steps you can to avoid career burnout, but nothing has worked.
Lack of opportunity for career advancement or training to enhance your professional skills may be another sign that it’s time to think of moving on. When that happens, speak to your boss to see if you can tackle new responsibilities or move to a new position, particularly if you still like the job and the company you work for. But if a change of position or new responsibilities are not possibilities, you may want to look for a new job that will allow you to grow more and spread your wings.
6. The Pay Isn’t Going to Get Any Better
Perhaps you’ve asked for a raise a time or three and have been put off, or told directly that a pay increase isn’t in the cards. If you’ve truly tried asking for a raise and hit a wall, that’s a pretty clear indication that it may be time to search for a new job. That said, considering the current climate, employees should be mindful that there are likely a lot of companies that are wrestling with pay increases.
The job market has changed considerably of late and companies aren’t hiring like they were a few months ago. And, those who are hiring may not be offering top dollar since the job market is over-populated with applicants in certain fields. Make sure you’re realistic with your expectations and understand that it may be best to wait during slow economic times, in order to maximize your value several months from now.
7. Your Workplace Is Toxic
At some point in your career, you might have a boss whom you really, really don’t see eye to eye with. Let’s face it, we don’t always get along with everyone, but most times these blips are temporary or something we can handle.
The problem arises when a temporary blip isn’t so temporary. Carefully evaluate the mission and the culture at the company. Blurry direction and inconsistent company objectives are good reasons to find a new job.
8. You’re at the Point of “Quit or Be Fired”
Do your best to avoid doing anything rash, like quitting before you have a clear job search plan in mind. If you’re really at the point where you may be out the door any day, but not quite yet, there’s no better time than now to get clear about your life and work priorities.
9. You Want to Make a Career Change
Maybe you secretly always wanted to be a web designer, or you love volunteering at the animal shelter. Whatever it is, the thought of a new career is what keeps you going at work these days. And when that’s the case, it’s probably time for you to take the necessary steps to transition to that new career.
10. The Thought of a New Job Excites You
There’s something to be said for listening to your instincts. So if your heart starts to flutter a little faster at the idea of a new job, maybe you should trust what your gut is telling you—and get into job search mode.