When and how to know it's time to move on from your job

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It’s predicted you will have about 5-7 jobs in your lifetime. You are actually behind the norm when you stay in a job for more than 3 years.

These stats aren’t meant to scare anyone starting their career. It’s more common to see younger generations changing careers or jobs at a more frequent pace than their parents or grandparents.

It’s also more likely that people will not reap the same benefits as older generations. The hefty retirement package and appreciation won’t go as far because people won’t go as far. It’s harder to buy a house, raise a family, and go to college. Along with the increased prices, it’s harder to work your way up through a company. Promotions are much harder to come by when the older generations are still in their positions as well as expressing a lack of interest in raising the minimum wage but not impossible to come by.

Lacks in upward mobility, benefits, and responsibility are a few of the reasons you decide it’s time to move on from your job.

It’s natural to want to improve your career and work for more than a paycheck. Raising your standards and seeking more appreciation in your work environment can result in a job change or a complete career change.

Here are a few indicators it might be time to move on from your job for more lucrative opportunities.

When it’s time to move on: Lack of a Challenge

If you’re job no longer gives you fulfillment and leaves you wanting to push yourself to new expectations, it might be time to move on from your job.

It takes about a year to learn the ins and outs of any job. That being said, you should still feel challenged in the projects and potential in your position. You might not want to make your way up the corporate ladder but you should want to succeed and prosper in your position. If you can’t see yourself moving up the ladder or being fulfilled in your current job, you might consider moving on from your job and start looking for future employment.

You should also note the difference between being comfortable within a job and lacking a challenging environment before moving on from your job. Being comfortable and knowing how things are processed and accounted for within your position is different from not feeling challenged.

As a designer, I’m constantly facing new projects in different mediums. To me, that signifies a challenge. However, too many people, facing the same type of projects, despite their variety, wouldn’t be challenging enough.

Also, remember that something might not be as challenging for your role compared to someone else’s. Everyone is on their professional journey. Another person’s challenge or lack thereof should not be an indicator of your success or lack thereof either.

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When it’s time to move on: Company or position changes compared to hiring expectations

I’ve had a few positions where my job has encompassed different obligations than what was advertised. Sometimes this is a change on the company’s part, such as new processes or streamlining efforts. Other times, changes have been made to compensate or create new possibilities for the company.

You could see new responsibilities in two ways. First, you could see it as a growth opportunity. Your work can now encompass something that makes your career stronger and grow as you work with a particular company. Otherwise, it can be stifling and overbearing on top of their original work. Especially if you don’t enjoy the work you are tasked with, additional work that you were not expected to complete can leave you with a sense of distrust.

As I mentioned, there can be many reasons you are tasked with additional or alternative projects that might not have been in your job description. If you feel you aren’t meeting the initial requirements of your contract, you might start with talking to your supervisor to see what can be done to get you back on track. If talking doesn’t give you the results you are looking for, then you should consider moving on from your job.

If your position is changing due to your company changing processes or projections, you’ll have to decide if your company will still be reaching for similar goals you’ve set for your career. If they aren’t, this is when you should decide if you should move on from your job. You might try to switch to a higher position or go with another company that fits better with your career goals.

When it’s time to move on: Inadequate mentors or like-minded peers

How do you act around your coworkers? How about your boss? Regular acquaintances are a vital part of your work environment.

If you can’t connect or agree on similar views about your work environment with your coworkers, you might consider moving on from your job. Agreeing on personal matters is less vital than agreeing on how to create a productive and prosperous work environment.

Like-minded people should draw support from each other. If you lack a camaraderie between your coworkers and supervisors, try to see if you can have a meeting with a few people to see if you are on the same page in your career.

It is easier and more productive to have career goals and reach them with like-minded and supportive coworkers. Having mentors can also help you reach your career goals quicker by seeking out their advice and support. If you have problems surrounding yourself with people who are trying to reach similar goals, try finding a group in your community or career, such as an entrepreneur or professional group.

Getting along with your coworkers is not always possible but being on similar trajectories for your careers and having similar mindsets as far as your work is important. If you don’t share those corresponding ideals, you should consider if it’s time to move on from your job.

When it’s time to move on: Undervalued or underappreciated

Feeling undervalued and underappreciated can take many forms. It might be the lack of a raise, lack of acknowledgment, or a surplus of duties your required to perform.

While it can take many forms, being underappreciated can be very depressing. You might be feeling as if your work goes unnoticed by your supervisors and taken for granted by your coworkers. No matter what you do, you can’t seem to be shown the same appreciation as your coworkers.

Before you decide it’s time to move on from your job, approach your boss and see why you aren’t receiving the recognition you feel you deserve. If you aren’t able to receive appropriate recognition for your work, it might be prudent to put in your two-week notice. Your work and work ethic will go a long way to impress the right employer who would like to keep you on their team.

When you know it’s time to move on from your job, you’ll emphasis your value to another company. If you are asked about changing your position by your current employer, explain the work and value you have brought to the company but hold fast to your determined value. If they are still not appreciative of your value, you know you can comfortably change careers.

When it’s time to move on: Negative environment

There’s a difference between having a bad day at your job and feeling constantly bad while doing your job. If you are feeling sick, depressed, or anxious consistently, you might fall into this category.

This isn’t your typical cold and be fine in two days negative environment. This is routinely feeling depressed and anxious about returning for another day at your job. This is constantly being sick and not getting over it. This is making yourself sick from worry and anxiety. This is also losing sleep due to overwork or anxiety. I would consider moving on from your job at this point.

Sacrificing your well-being to create an income is not healthy or fulfilling for anyone. After you get checked out by the doctor, just in case something is contributing to your health besides your work environment, consider moving on from your job and looking for other work opportunities.

These negative environmental factors could be contributed by many aspects at your job. If you have a problem with anyone or a process, see if it could be resolved before moving on from your job. If it can’t, you know you at least tried to rectify the situation before taking further measures.

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