Deciding when it’s time to start your job search can be tough. If you’ve been with your company for a while, you probably have some amount of loyalty to the organization, your boss or at least to your coworkers. But there will likely come a time when you should move on, and you should do so without feeling guilty.
How will you know when it’s time to start your job search? Here are five signs it may be time to make a move:
- You’re not excited to go to work. You don’t have to be excited to go to work every day, but if you seem to be dreading Mondays more and more each week, it’s likely a sign that you should start your job search. If you’re going to spend 40+ hours at work, you may as well find a job you’re passionate about.
- You feel like you have more potential. If you feel as though your current role is holding you back, it may be time to move on. Your company should be providing you with opportunities to take on new challenges and expand your skills. Even in a job you hate, if you’re still learning a lot, it may be worth it to stay.
- Your employer can’t meet your personal needs. If you’ve been with your company for a few years, your personal situation and needs have likely changed. Perhaps you’ve just had kids and want to cut back on your hours to spend more time at home. Maybe you need to readjust your work schedule to take care of your elderly parent. No matter what your personal situation may be, if your employer can’t or won’t adjust to meet your needs, it may be time to end that relationship in favor of a company with more flexibility.
- You don’t get along with your boss. While most issues between two people at work can be solved with communication, if you’ve tried to get through to your boss with no luck, you may want to move on. This is especially true if it seems as though your boss has close relationships with the other leaders at the company and is unlikely to leave the organization. While a good boss should not play favorites based on personal relationships, if you feel like your boss is holding you back, it’s time to start your job search.
- You don’t believe in the company’s long-term mission. Depending on the company you’re with, this could be a huge deal breaker. If your organization has a 5- or 10-year goal or mission that you do not align with, it will be in both of your best interests for you to start your job search sooner rather than later.
If you’ve noticed any of these signs in your current role, it’s probably time to start your job search. Contact one of our recruiters today if you’d like help taking the next step toward your new career.
