Knowing the difference between when it’s prudent to push through unsavory workplace dynamics or face changing jobs altogether can be a nuanced area. It’s often tempting to get lost in the world of second-guessing yourself – what are “normal” things that every employee deals with, and what are some dealbreakers? Is problem-solving always smart, or is it fair to jump ship on the sooner side? While everyone’s “normal” looks very different, all employees can live by and return to these three key messages when pondering if it’s time to leave your job behind and pursue something new.
You’ve Stopped Growing Professionally
Egregious conflicts or dynamics at work aren’t the only red flags you should be on the lookout for when considering a job change. Simply feeling stagnant and at a plateau can be just as unsettling, so don’t ignore the gut feeling that your current path forward may be too sluggish or too little too late.
Your Health Is Being Affected
While it may seem like a no-brainer, many employees forfeit changing jobs even when their mental health or stress levels are through the roof. If your job is contributing to chronic high blood pressure or constant fatigue, it should be setting off alarm bells. Your physical health is undoubtedly more important than reaching that next professional checkpoint.
You’ve Outgrown Your Role
While expecting recognition each time you develop a new skill isn’t realistic, knowing when you’ve truly scaled up is a crucial thing to realize within yourself. In turn, you won’t be taken advantage of when you know you should be receiving a promotion or pay increase. Awareness is all it takes for you to spot the difference between a company that promptly acknowledges your growth and one that is content to let time pass by.
Changing jobs can be unnerving, but staying put in one that isn’t right for you is arguably just as alarming. Even if it feels like a setback, leaving one job for another can ultimately be one step backward to gain two steps forward.
