For cleared professionals, the future is bright. Government contracting is on the rebound. Fewer clearances being issued mean more demand for your skills. While it’s good to be wanted, making a change is never easy. Here are a few ways you can tell, it’s time to go.
The first sign it’s time to leave, is if you’ve been doing the same job for more than three years. This varies by industry – in some cases your career may evolve quicker, in others, slower. This doesn’t mean your title, your desk or your main focus needs to change. But if you are literally doing the same tasks today that you were three years ago, you might as well move your desk to the basement. You’ve already been fired, you just don’t realize it yet. [will anyone get the Office Space reference? You can change that to ‘you may as well move on’ if that’s too obscure].
The second sign you should look for a job is if everyone else is. This is usually a sign of toxic leadership. If all of your co-workers suddenly start updating their online career profiles as soon as they get into the office, it is probably time to go.
The third way you know it’s time to go is if you’re sick – literally. Being unhappy or stressed at work can make you physically ill, and it’s definitely not worth it. If your health is declining, find another job, where work-life balance lets you stay, in balance.
When should you leave? It is almost always better to look for a new job while you still have a job. Build your career network – online and offline – and when you do land a new opportunity, keep your network up. It’s easier to maintain a great network than to start from scratch. Happy job hunting!
