There are many reasons to change your job and it might just be that you feel you are stuck in a rut and not enjoying your work at all. It could be that you are undervalued or making no progress. Perhaps you just have a need for change.
It might be an easy decision but the underlying reasons could also be one or more of the following:
1. You are ready for a new career
You have goals, you are a proactive and have a specific career plan. The job you are in now is the springboard to your next opportunity. Capitalise on the experience gained, add it to your CV and target your next position.
2. You’ve had a better offer
If you are good at your job, diligent and professional there’s a possibility that you could get head-hunted and offered an enticing new role.
3. Your job focuses on the wrong skills
When you took up your role, you were enthusiastic and probably pleased that the job would mean you would be playing to your strengths as well as your knowledge and experience. However, after some time you realise that you are not using the skills you consider to be your real strengths.
4. You were overlooked for promotion
Who are the people more senior to you and when did they join the company? If they joined after you it’s more than likely that you are stuck in a rut and not performing as well as you could.
5. Your colleagues are a problem
Your colleagues only talk to you now when they want to complain about work and you find you have very little in common with them. At the beginning you enjoyed trying to get to now them but now find that the culture within the office is very accusing and quite detrimental to work. It’s negative and that atmosphere is affecting your personal life too.
So, if you are happy with your job, check this out first before leaving.
6. You’ve changed your life
Personal circumstances can influence heavily on your job. Family commitments [having a child or being a carer] or relocation of a partner are just a couple of reasons why you might need to change jobs. It could be that your company is relocating and that you are unable to move with them. It might be that you need more flexible hours and this could be resolved with your current employer.
7. Your company is struggling
Recessions and failing markets can contribute to a downturn in business. When things get tough, the tough get going and the adage that rats leave a sinking ship is more often than not very true. Whilst as a loyal employee you might be tempted to stay to the bitter end, in truth you need to consider your career game plan and ultimate goals. Get out whilst the going is good and it’s easier to job hunt whilst you are employed.
8. You don’t get on with or even like your boss
Bosses can be very interesting people. However their style of management or even their knowledge or lack of it can be an irritant. If it’s a personality clash it’s something to consider about changing your role. You might also be seeing traits in your boss’s behaviour which you find uncomfortable. Maybe they like to work a certain way which you disagree with or perhaps you don’t consider they are as well informed as you are. Either way, it could be time to move on.
9. You have no challenges left at work
Have you been in your job to long? Are you content at work, just muddling along doing what you do without even thinking about it? Have you got a cushy role? It’s more than likely you are feeling restless as everything is familiar to you and the routine is just that, routine. Changing jobs will give you more to think about, new things to things to do and new people to meet.
10. You want to increase your earning power
When you took on your role you were pleased with the salary and benefits package but perhaps the rewards have not been in keeping with your aspirations. There will always be disparities between companies and job roles. Larger companies can weather recessions whereas smaller businesses are unable to keep up with inflation at times. Different sectors can also affected and salaries frozen on occasions and it might be that employees in identical positions at different companies may have vastly different benefit packages and growth opportunities.
11. You can improve your skills elsewhere
Can you remember the last time you learnt something at work? How long have you been in your current job and what training on or off the job have you benefited from? When you took up your role initially you probably had some coaching or on-the-job training to set you off in your position. However, since then career development has not been an option. You are now the master of your skills and an asset to your company, but could you offer them more? To develop further your skills you might have to look at other job opportunities.
12. You can’t remember when someone last told you that you’re doing a good job
Regular feedback to reinforce good performance should be encouraged by all managers. If you are not getting feedback then you might not be doing the job as well as you could.
13. You’ve lost interest
When you took the job on, no matter how long ago, you might have been thinking that in so many years time you would be standing in the shoes of your existing boss. Now, it’s a different matter. You realise you don’t want to progress and your motivation is lacking. Time to move on.
14. You don’t engage in team meetings
Meetings of any kind can be dull, but team meetings generally have a purpose. If you are finding that you are tuning out of the discussions regularly then maybe start thinking about updating your CV.
15. You dread Sunday nights
If the thought that in a few hours time you are going to be back at work, working with the same people and doing the same thing makes you anxious, depressed and generally unhappy then it is time to change jobs. Looking forward to going to work should be a pleasure.
If any of these resonate and you want to new job drop me an e-mail and I can tell you how I can help.
photo credit: PANationalGuard via photopin cc
Follow