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5 min read

Should I change jobs?

Read this guide to discover:

  • 9 signs indicating you should change jobs
  • How to weigh up the positive and negatives of changing jobs

You’re in the right place if you’re wondering…

  • “When is it time to start looking for a new job”?
  • “Should I change jobs or stay put?”
  • “How to know when to quit your job”?
  • “Reasons to look for a new job”
  • “I’m fed up with my job – what should I do?”
  • “I can’t be bothered with work – is it time for a change?”

Bored at work? Not had a pay rise for a while? We explain how to know when to quit your job or whether you can improve your career by staying put.

Signs you need a new job

You’re not getting promoted

Getting promoted in today’s workplace has less to do with how long you’ve been in a job and more to do with performance, relationships and ambition.

People in charge of promotion decisions are observing all the time for people with potential, and for people who might be demonstrating skills worthy of promotion.

Put yourself forward for things that interest you and that might lead to a higher profile.

Speak to your bosses and look for more responsibilities, or take ownership of workplace projects.

If suitable roles and responsibilities are still not forthcoming, then your decision of whether to stay or look elsewhere for a new challenge is already being made for you.

You haven’t had any new training

You should be learning throughout your career.

Make sure to ask your employer if there are any courses or qualifications you can pursue.

Without being given the opportunity to develop new skills, there’s always the danger you’ll find yourself left behind on the career ladder.

If they don’t seem receptive, it may be time to move jobs.

You’re bored

Does it feel like every day is exactly the same and you’re just going through the motions with no prospect of change?

If it does, or you find that you’re no longer bothered about doing your job well, then it’s time to have a hard think about your future.

You can’t see a future

If your employer can’t or won’t promote you, eventually you’re going to leave.

Likewise, if you dread being promoted because it will just bring more problems, you have to think about your motives for staying.

If you don’t believe that your company can give you meaningful career development in a reasonable time frame, then it’s time to look for something new.

Your good work goes unrecognised

Recognition comes in many forms: pay rises or bonuses, being consulted, being given the opportunity to learn new skills or take on new responsibilities.

If you feel ignored, unappreciated, or like you’ve been written off by your employer, then it might be time to find a place where they’d be pleased to have you.

Poor work-life balance

No matter how much you love your job, you need a work-life balance that suits you.

If you’re getting frustrated by the hours you work, if your workload never seems to get more manageable, or if work keeps coming home with you, then you need to think about rebalancing things.

You’ve already tried to change things

If you’re having a problem at work, your company might be keen to help to resolve it.

But if you’ve been through the proper channels and nothing ever seems to improve, then it might be easier to switch jobs.

You get that Monday morning feeling every Sunday night

There’s nothing unusual about feeling a bit down on a Monday.

But there is a problem when blue Mondays start the night before.

If you’re in the right job, you shouldn’t find yourself dreading work or feeling anxious about it on Sunday evenings.

How to know when to quit your job

If you’re not happy at work, chances are that it will affect your general level of happiness.

Leaving a job isn’t something you should do lightly, but it’s also something you shouldn’t keep postponing.

Have you been in your job long enough?

Whilst your gut might tell you on the first day of your new job that it simply isn’t for you, it takes time to feel at home in a new role.

The general consensus being that you should give it six months. Try to spend the next six months gaining as many transferable skills as you can, making as many industry contacts as possible, and having as much as an impact on the company as can be.

While you might not enjoy that time, you’ll have gained invaluable experience that you can take with you to your next interview

However sometimes despite your best efforts you’re ready to move on.

Do the positives outweigh the negatives?

If you’re really unsure, it’s a good idea to weigh up the things you like and the things you don’t like about your current job, and compare these with the pros and cons of the new job in question.

Whether it’s a change of salary, the duration of your commute, the company perks at stake or a change of organisational culture, these factors all have a role to play in your job satisfaction in the long run.

Thinking about a job change in this way can you help you to see things objectively, and will help you to make the best decision.

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