How to Know if It’s Time to Leave Your Job
It’s such a gift when you find a company where you like the culture, the people, and are values-aligned, but if you don’t feel challenged or there is no chance for upward mobility, you may be itching to look elsewhere. Here are some ways to determine if you’re stuck in a rut or if a new role is the right move.
Look beyond your current track. Ask your manager if it would be possible to contribute beyond your current responsibilities, maybe on a high-profile project or cross-departmental initiative. Talk to colleagues and explore other options and career paths at your current company. Is there another department that you could move into where you would feel more challenged?
Pay attention to your presence at work. If you’re bored and starting to not give it your all, or distracted and reluctant to engage, it may be time to move on. For me, I knew this was the case when I found myself spending more time making grocery lists in my head than actually contributing in meetings!
Recognize patterns in yourself, too. Pretty much every four years like clockwork, I moved on to a different company or took on a much bigger role at my existing company. And that’s okay—new companies often bring forth new challenges and that’s what our brains need to stay active.
Explore other options. There is no harm in seeing what’s out there, even if you decide to stay in the end. Think through which specific skill sets you are looking to grow and start taking casual meetings with people in your network to figure out which company might be a good home for you. Be sure to ask questions about the company’s reputation and culture and how decisions get made. You are the interviewer here! You could also get your name out to executive recruiters to help you find jobs, negotiate higher salaries, and even pinpoint opportunities you may have never considered. Research the top recruiters in your field and ask to be introduced to them by mutual connections on LinkedIn. And try to attend relevant conferences where recruiters may be in attendance.
Being bored at work and feeling stuck may be a temporary situation. Once you pick your head up and start looking around, you will know exactly which direction to go.
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