Plunging back into the job market is a scary task and the decision is not to be taken lightly. Too often the risk outweighs the perceived reward and you stay where you don’t want to be because changing jobs is stressful. But how do you know when you should start looking for a new job. Here are a few questions to consider that it may be time to start looking for a new job:
1. Do you lack passion?
Has the spark of excitement that made you eager to get up in the morning gone? If you lack the passion which you once had for your work, it may be time to start the hunt for a new job.
2. Do you work well with your colleagues?
You may not work in sync with the people round like you used to. Group tasks, once fun and interesting, are now exhaustive and stressful. Your colleagues annoy you – for whatever reason.
3. Are you feeling increasingly stressed?
Increased amount of responsibilities with no new benefits, poor work-life balance, and overly demanding management can cause stress and make for an unpleasant work environment.
4. Are your skills being (fully) put to use?
You may be overqualified or in an industry where your true skills are not needed or appreciated. People are happiest in companies where their skills and expertise are used and their minds are challenged.
5. Are your ideas heard and valued?
A company should provide an atmosphere where employees feel comfortable to express their ideas and their thoughts are considered and appreciated. If this is not the case, you may feel un(der)acknowledged and un(der)valued.
Changing jobs is scary and other jobs often seem more attractive even when they are not. But sometimes, if things are really getting you down, you should just say enough – I am finding a new job. It’s invigorating, it takes you out of your comfort zone and makes you live for a while instead of existing. You may discover that there is no better than the one you have or you may find something better – so where’s the actual risk?
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