How do I Know when to Move Jobs?
How do I know when it’s time to move jobs? Most people spend time anguishing over this question at some point in their career. As a Career Coach, this is also something that frequently comes up in coaching sessions.
You can be forgiven for thinking twice about a job change. Why? Because your mind is wired to be twice as likely to focus on the negative possibilities or outcomes of change, than it is the positive. Imagine for a moment, how different your life would be if the reverse was true, and you were twice as likely to focus on the positive possibilities of change. Fear and playing safe, would be replaced by excitement and anticipation.
SO, what are five signs it’s time to move on from your job?
Reoccurring Thoughts: You regularly think about leaving and cannot shake the feeling that your job feels misaligned. The majority of your work days feel like you’re living incongruently. You think to yourself, if only I could leave this job.
Limited Respect and Inspiration: You once respected the leadership around you and that feeling has sadly diminished. You look around you and there are few people if any, who inspire you and who you want to learn from.
No ‘Sponsor’: Longer-term you feel you can’t thrive in your job or company because you feel you have no strong advocates; decision makers that have your back, believe in you, and will seriously consider you for promotion opportunities.
Feeling Undervalued: You feel underpaid, unheard, unseen, and simply undervalued. This is a tricky feeling to shake once it appears. A pay review doesn’t alleviate this and you’ve tried a constructive conversation.
Your Wellbeing is Suffering: Your job feels misaligned with your values and you simply know in your gut it’s not right for you. This level of unhappiness and stress is impacting your health and it’s exhausting.
If you’re dreaming of leaving your job but fear is getting in your way, chances are you’re simply prolonging the move or some form of change. Rarely do things take an upward turn without some effort and courage on your behalf. Following that feeling of initially being in the deep end, your new job will take your confidence, self-worth, and career to new highs. So, vote with your feet and make a change, and enjoy the rewards of fighting fear with courage!