It’s nearly impossible to scan your favorite news site these days without reading something about “The Great Resignation,” “The Big Quit,” or our recent favorite, as it shows the most promise: “The Great Recalibration.” Whatever you call it, the data is hard to deny: people are leaving their jobs. 4.3 million quit their jobs in August, with more than half of workers in the United States saying they plan to look for a new job in the coming year.
No job is perfect. We get it: work can be downright frustrating and stressful at times, especially as we’re still working through the COVID-19 pandemic. But as you read this news — or see friends or family members leave their roles for new adventures, you might be wondering: is it time to leave my job? How do I know if I’m stuck in a rut, or if it’s truly time to move on?
We get this question often, especially over the past year. So, we surveyed the Carex Candidate Relations team for their top signs that it might be time to move on to a new role or opportunity. If you can check five of these seven, it might be time to make a change:
You’re bored, constantly.
Being bored happens sometimes, even at the most exciting and fast-paced jobs — and in most cases, it’s a temporary lull. However, if you constantly find yourself uninterested in your work surroundings, or regularly have nothing to do — despite having gone to your manager or senior leader asking for new opportunities and projects — it might be time to consider your next move. Staying in a job where you’re bored and quickly losing your passion will eventually lead to frustration, complacency, and — if it hasn’t already! — decreased work performance.
You can’t sleep.
Similar to being bored, losing a few nights of sleep over work can often come with the territory — maybe you’re part of a major initiative with a lot of moving parts and tough decisions, or you’re nervous about nailing a big presentation. However, if you’re not able to get to sleep — and stay asleep constantly because you’re dreading going to work the next day, it might be the sign of something bigger. Chronic stress can come when you’re trying your best to cope with a job that isn’t right for you — and not sleeping can be one of the most telling symptoms.
Advancement is tough.
Do you continually receive excellent feedback about your work and performance, only to be passed over when it comes to a raise? Are there limited ways forward for growth or advancement, despite making it clear to your boss that you’d like to take on a new challenge? If these types of opportunities don’t exist in your company, or within your department, it’s going to only lead to that boredom we mention above.
Business has slowed.
It’s one thing to be working less because you’re bored and disengaged — it’s another if there’s literally no work. Ebbs and flows are a standard part of business, but if you notice that your company is significantly underperforming — or you’re not as busy as you used to be because there’s simply not enough work to do day-to-day, it could be a sign of something bigger.
You daydream — often — about a new role.
It starts innocently enough: through a quick scroll through your go-to job site or a few minutes perusing your LinkedIn news feed, you spot a new role with a company you’ve long-admired — or heck, one you haven’t even heard of (hello, remote work life!) and you start to daydream. Pretty soon, you’re imagining yourself anywhere other than the company you currently work for. If the idea of a new or different role excites you — and that excitement doesn’t go away — you’d be right to follow that instinct.
The company’s going in a different direction.
We don’t trust anyone who says that work isn’t personal. After all, you spend nearly a third of your time thinking about work, traveling to work, or thinking about work — why wouldn’t you choose a company that aligns with your personal values? And, perhaps when you joined your company, that was the case — but along the way, something changed. If the characteristics, values, and behaviors of your organization aren’t what they once were — or you’ve changed — it might be time to seek out something different.
You tell your friends not to work there.
Referrals are one of the most important pieces of a company’s talent acquisition plan. If they have talented employees, they want those same employees to refer their friends and other folks in their network to the organization. If a friend or a professional acquaintance asks you what it’s like to work at your company and you spend most of your conversation convincing them not to apply for a position there, that tells you everything you need to know.
As easy as it would make things, there’s no direct sign from the universe that happens when it’s time to move on from your job. However, there’s something just as good: your gut. If you no longer feel happy, supported, or heard in your current role, it’s time to do something about it. Make a move before you get too wrapped up in negativity or toxicity. Life is too short, and this job market is too hot. And, if you need some help, give us a shout.