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Career growth is a mix of making advancements at your current job, learning new skills, and sometimes changing jobs. It is not bad to want to change jobs, but you should do it at the right time.
Many times, you will know it is time to change jobs when it seems you might lose your mind staying at your current job. Some other times, the satisfaction in the job is not just there again. But it is important that you know the right time to switch jobs because career decisions are critical decisions.
More so, statistics have shown that few people start their careers knowing what to do. Many just figure it out along the way. A survey carried out on how people change jobs revealed that the average person has changed jobs up to 12 times before the age of 50 in the pursuit of finding the right fit.
As a matter of fact, about 65% of Americans are currently looking for a new full-time job. So, you can be sure you are not the only one planning to change jobs or make a career switch.
Clear signs that it is time to change jobs
There are several signs that you will start experiencing in your current job that will be pointers for you that it's time to move to a new job. There might be an initial fear of leaving your job for a completely new job, but statistics have shown that switching jobs can be a smart move if done at the right time.
1. You are becoming complacent
Complacency can be a result of different reasons. It could be that you are not in your desired career to start with. It could also be that you are fed up with your current salary, and it is affecting your motivation.
Most employers would want you to feel fulfilled about your job; if that's not the case with you, then it is a red flag. It can limit your creativity and affect your output.
The truth is that you can get bored after some time even after a job that you are very passionate about, but when your lack of motivation has lingered for a long time and not even a salary raise can cure it, then you might start considering a job change. It is a red flag for you to feel enthusiastic about your job for a long time.
2. You feel undervalued
If you are already feeling that your efforts just go unnoticed, it can dampen your desire to contribute more to the organization.
It seems as though you are on your own and all your contributions seem to be hidden to co-workers; it is very likely for you to start feeling you are not needed in the organization, then it's time to start packing your bags, else you might become an extra burden in the organization.
3. No work-life balance
Your job is affecting your personal life. You cannot keep up with schedules outside work again. You work from sun-up to sundown. You don't even get invited to events anymore, because your friends know the response is always, I'm at work.
You should be diligent in your work, but it shouldn't be at the expense of every other aspect of your life. You can develop serious health issues also, if it is all work and no play.
So, when your job is making you fail at keeping up with relationships, keeping up with important tasks and events around you, then you should consider making a switch.
4. You feel underpaid for your efforts and years spent in the organization
There is nothing that can create dissatisfaction such as the feeling of being underpaid. The reward for your job is your salary. If that reward no longer looks like a reward, it can kill your motivation and drive entirely.
Maybe you started with a low salary, and you think this should change after some months or years, it can become a constant worry for you.
Now, before thinking about changing your job, you can approach your boss. Research the average salary you should be collecting based on your role and your experience in the organization. If nothing changes after you complain, you might as well start looking for jobs that can meet your salary demands.
5. Tasks have become a dread for you
This is a red flag! The reason you have a job in that organization is that there are tasks for you to do. If those tasks are now a dread to you, then, that is a sign you are getting tired or the job is becoming overwhelming for you.
The resultant effect is that you are likely to mess up the task, you will likely do a shoddy job, and get a correction or a harsh rebuke for it depending on the severity of the mistakes you made on the job. If this continues and you are apathetic about learning to make the necessary changes, your presence in the organization won't help either you or the organization.
Now, before you consider changing your job, you can explain your situation to your boss. Maybe you just need a break for a while to cool off and come back refreshed. This can be the solution you need. But if it doesn't work, then you should start planning to leave.
6. You no longer feel efficient or confident about your job
Lack of confidence kills productivity! If you have lost your confidence, then you might want to have a conversation with your boss about it first. See if he can help you to get your confidence back.
You also need to check the source of the inefficiency. Is it from constant nagging from your boss about what you do? Is it the lack of skill? It might also be that the task is getting beyond the scope of your job description.
Whatever the reason is, lack of confidence is enough reason to change a job but make sure you know the source, so you don't carry it to your next job.
Have you read How to become an irreplaceable great employee?
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