We’ve all been there. You’re sitting at your desk, staring at your computer screen, and feeling completely unmotivated. You dread going to work every day and can’t wait for the weekend to arrive. These are all signs that it might be time to quit your job.
But how do you know when it’s really time to move on? Here are some signs that it might be time to start looking for a new job.
1. You’re not growing or learning
Sometimes, the only way to achieve your goals is to take on new challenges and opportunities. One of the biggest reasons people start to feel unhappy in their jobs is because they feel like they’re not growing or learning. If you’ve been in the same role for a few years and haven’t had any opportunities to take on new challenges or develop new skills, it might be time to move on.
2. 90% of your conversations are negative
You can’t always avoid office politics. We can all reap benefits from office chit-chat, but when the majority of the conversations are negative… well, that’s not really healthy for anyone. It only takes a handful of gossipers to kill morale and it only takes one bad boss to destroy a company. If you are in an environment that makes you grouchy, it’s time to go.
3. You’re building destructive habits
Are you skipping lunch? Are you having trouble falling asleep at night? Do you spend your mornings stressing about the upcoming day? Do you live at work? None of these habits are good for your physical and emotional well-being.
4. You don’t use your strengths
It sucks to be in a position where you feel incompetent. If you are watching your coworkers reach goals that you are unable to achieve (despite trying your best), you’re probably not utilizing your core strengths. It’s okay not to be good at everything, but you should be in a job that capitalizes on what you are good at. Take inventory of what energizes you.
5. You’re not getting a raise
You’re in a position that you don’t necessarily love, BUT your management has promised you a promotion… one year ago. You’re crossing your fingers that the company is going to grow and your role is going to evolve, but it’s taking forever. News flash: time isn’t stopping anytime soon. The average salary increase when changing jobs is 15%, while it’s only 6% for those who get a wage increase internally. You could potentially have your dream role right now. Don’t leave it up to someone else.
6. You’re overwhelmed
Looking back on the past couple of years, a lot of people have realized that they’ve been living in survival mode. A good leader won’t let their employees operate in an overwhelmed state for a long time.
7. You’re not a part of anything new
Your company is rolling out some new initiatives and some exciting projects for the year. Only problem? You’re not a part of any of them. Not only are you not spearheading the strategy, but you’re left out of the conversation completely. Your coworkers are given opportunities, but for whatever reason, you’re not being included. This could mean that your job is lacking the authority you were expecting.
8. You can’t be yourself
When you’re in a toxic work environment, you find yourself walking on eggshells. Some jobs will try to force you into being someone you’re not. They may claim that they’re just trying to make you into a culture fit, but the best companies are diverse.
9. People don’t know what you do
You work at a company, but nobody is 100% sure what you do on a daily basis. It’s not a good sign if nobody knows your impact on the organization. You don’t need to provide your colleagues with an itinerary of your day-to-day tasks, but ignorance practically guarantees that you won’t be able to move up.
10. You don’t feel valued
Probably the most telltale sign of them all. Feeling valued and appreciated is essential for job satisfaction. If you feel like your contributions are going unnoticed or unappreciated, it can be demotivating and frustrating.
Based on your interactions with your boss and your colleagues, what percentage of your interactions are critiques vs. compliments? Sure, if you’re lazy, you shouldn’t expect to be praised for your lack of effort. If you’re putting in a lot of work and you feel like it frequently goes unnoticed, it can be frustrating to put in any effort at all. This is a glaring sign: this job is not the right fit!