For many professionals, it is difficult to identify the best time to leave a position and search for a new job. While there is something to be said for persistence in a professional setting, awareness is also important. When your current job is no longer serving your ultimate career goals, it may be time to move on.
Your intuition is one of the most useful tools in knowing when it is time to look for a new job. If you find it difficult to listen to your gut feelings, look for external manifestations. When you spend your Sunday nights feeling miserable about the week to come, pay attention. If you dread going to work most days, it is a sign that you need to move on. The same goes for your health; if stress and work-related misery are causing physical illness, it is time to go.
In order to perform well in a company, it is important that the office environment fits your needs. If you are an exceptionally outgoing person, it can be draining to work in an office filled with introverts or people who are not willing to collaborate. The same goes for hostile work environments that make you feel threatened, unsafe or bullied. When the corporate culture starts to sabotage your ability to get your job done, it is a sign that you need a new job.
In some cases, you may enjoy your colleagues and company but hate the work you actually do at your job. When that is the case, it is important to study the potential for career progression within the organization. Look at the next two positions on your current career track. Do they seem appealing? If so, it can be worth it to stick it out in your current position. If the idea of doing the job of your boss bores you, it is time to move on to a new job.
The work you are doing in your current company can have a negative impact on the rest of your career if it involves anything unethical or illegal. If your company asks you to do work that makes you feel uncomfortable, take it as a sign that you need to leave. The same applies if you see other colleagues involved in illegal activity. If the company gets involved in a public legal battle, your reputation may become tainted even if you are not involved in the squabble
Some work-related situations are not as cut and dried. If you love your work but it is keeping you from achieving balance in other parts of your life, you should consider whether a new job may be in order. This situation often occurs when people try to balance their work with their children and families. When work keeps you away from home a majority of the time, it can cause problems with the most important relationships in your life. At some point, you may need to choose a different job to stay sane and ensure the happiness of your family.
The decision to look for a new job is rarely easy, whether you love your job or hate it. By staying aware of your health, happiness and comfort in your current office environment, you can make a needed change at the right time.
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