Is It Time for a Job Change? Signs to Watch Out For!

“Should I stay or leave?” is a question most individuals ask themselves at one point in their jobs. Job chnage  is normal to feel demotivated about your job. You may even experience spells of highs and lows. However, it only becomes problematic when these few downsides turn into something deeper. If you dread waking every morning to turn up for work or if you have a list of excuses ready to escape from work every now and then, you’ve got to address these issues ASAP. A shift in enthusiasm is a major indicator that you need to change your job. While these may be some tell-tale signs that you need to make the switch, there are even certain positive reasons for which a lot of individuals consider a job change.

Remember, everybody’s end point is different. What might be a sign for one may not be a sign for the other. The best person who can judge when it’s time to really go is you and nobody else.

Studies suggest that the work-from-home trend owing to the COVID-19 pandemic has heightened the stress and job burnout amongst employees. A lot of them out there are frustrated with the mundane routine and are on the lookout for better job opportunities. However, before considering a job change, keep in mind the current scenario wherein a lot of people are losing out on their jobs. Ensure you have a proper exit plan before making the big move.

5 Warning Signs It’s Time to Change Jobs

Believe it or not, a professional midlife crisis is a thing! 50% of working employees experience this phenomenon. If your current work situation isn’t working, watch out for these signs that are indicators you need a new job:

• You’re no longer challenged

Challenges make a job exciting. It gives a candidate the need to go an extra mile to achieve positive outcomes for a company. However, over a period of time job duties start looking the same day in and day out. Every day might seem identical and you might even find yourself doing the same tasks over and over. When you start feeling undervalued, it can be a cause of worry. When your greatest skills are not being put to use, it can also be demoralising. You simply may be performing on autopilot.

A good idea would be to speak to your manager or boss. Tell them how you could help with a task that is not entrusted in your domain. If they’re nonchalant to your request, it’s time to find a new role that challenges your strengths and provides better opportunities to develop new skills.

• You have no work-life balance

Ever since people have started working from home, they feel like they have zero work-life balance. A job should be challenging, not debilitating. If your current job is affecting your personal life, it can be problematic. Job-induced stress is real. Some of the symptoms include frequent headaches, lack of sleep, poor appetite and other physical symptoms. This simply may be your body’s way of telling you that this job isn’t right for you.

If you spend every minute after you wake up thinking about work, it is alarming. It’s good to be a workaholic but it’s even more important to switch off and spend time doing the things you love. Try and make adjustments to your routine by including certain wellness activities. If work still feels overwhelming and you find yourself bombarded the whole day, look for a new role that will make you feel like yourself again.

• Even a hefty paycheck can’t make up for the dissatisfaction

Money isn’t always the reason people switch jobs. Studies reveal that despite a good pay, people begin to ponder a job change. The main reason behind this is that they find their work mindless and dreadful. Though a lot of people pacify themselves to stay for that hefty paycheck, after one point, even that has no effect. If you find yourself constantly looking at the clock or if you’re already marking your calendar until the next weekend, it’s a clear indicator you’re bored in your job. It’s a sure-shot sign your potential is being wasted. Maybe, you can look for a job that promises great work even if the pay package is slightly lesser than your existing role.

• You’re no longer appreciated

Once in a while, getting a pat on your back for the work you’ve done is all the motivation you need to stick around in your job. However, when your opinions and contributions go unnoticed, it can be frustrating. Even more if it happens on a regular basis. If your role in a project goes overlooked or when you find others being credited for something you’ve done, it is disappointing.

Your work atmosphere should be encouraging, friendly and productive. It should also make you feel like a valued employee. When you feel like your efforts are not being appreciated, it may be time to look for better prospects where you can actually make a difference.

• You no longer resonate with the organisation’s values

Not all individuals consider a job change for personal reasons. Sometimes, the company is to blame. For example, if the company no longer feels like what it was when you joined, if there has been a management reshuffle that hasn’t gone down too well with you or maybe you feel like your goals and career objectives no longer match with the company’s values. If any of these situations arise, it may be time to start looking for a new company that aligns with your goals and shares values similar to yours.

5 Positive Reasons Employees Consider a Job Change

The points we’ve listed out above are just one side of the coin. There are various other reasons too for which individuals quit their jobs. Quite often, we focus so much on the negative that we end up overlooking the positive. Here’s why some people consider taking the leap towards something new:

• Career Change

For a lot of people life is more than just a desk job. They might have at their disposal a great salary, foreign trips and what not. However, maybe their current job does not match their career objectives. Simply speaking, they have other goals. To fulfil their dreams and move up the career ladder, people consider a job change. For example, a business analyst may quit his existing job to fulfil his dream of becoming an actor or comedian. In such cases, a job change seems a valid option and a positive move.

• New Job

If you find your existing job stagnant with absolutely no room for growth, you’re probably on the lookout for a new job, right? Well, one reason why employees who’ve worked with a certain company for over three years put their papers down is mainly because they’ve bagged a job with better incentives, higher pay package and more growth opportunities at another firm. If you’re quitting your job in the quest of a new one, make sure you have the offer letter in hand before informing your manager. The last thing you’d want is to find yourself stuck without a job amidst all this chaos.

• Dream to Study Further

These days, most youngsters secure jobs right after their graduation. In this case their dream to study further often gets suppressed. They get so engrossed in their 9-5 jobs and meetings that they almost forget their career goals. This is one more reason people quit their jobs. Five years into a well-settled job when they feel like they want to study further, they often resign and work towards securing a seat in a university of their choice. However today, there are several Master’s programs available that allow candidates to work and secure their degree at the same time.

• Life Events/Lifestyle Changes

Not every job change is negative. Studies suggest that one of the biggest reasons people switch jobs is owing to their life events. Relocation, marriage, or taking care of children or aged parents are some of the major life events that compel people to make the big move.

• You’ve Found a Permanent Position

Not all employees in a company have a permanent job status. There are interns, freelancers and part-time employees. During this tenure, if they find a permanent, full-time position, they consider changing their job. If the new job promises better prospects and room for growth, quitting their job is a viable option.

Questioning your role and position at work is normal. You may not love your job 365 days of the year, but if at any point in time you notice any of the above-mentioned red flags, go ahead and resign. Also, it’s important to do it as smoothly and gracefully as possible. Before taking the plunge, make sure you’re doing it for all the right reasons. Speak to a colleague, friend, family member, or confidante to be doubly sure about the big move and signs for a job change!