In today’s job market, changing jobs periodically is a rule rather than an exception. In fact, the rough estimate is that we change jobs 10-15 times during our professional careers. Long gone are the days when you would graduate from college, settle in a stable job, and retire decades later from the same company.
Yes, the times have changed and most certainly you will find yourself searching a new job more than once during your career. But how do you know when is the right time to start looking for new opportunities? Here are four signs that may indicate that you should launch a job search.
1. The Job Did Not Meet Your Expectations
Despite putting effort into applying for the right positions, asking questions during the hiring process, and otherwise trying to evaluate whether the opportunity is the right fit or not, we sometimes end up taking the wrong job. Maybe the company painted a prettier picture of the job than the reality is, maybe you ignored some of the warning signs during the interview process because you wanted so badly the job to be good, or maybe there were changes in the organization or the market that you could not have possibly foreseen. Whatever the reason, if the job is not what you signed up for (and the reality is not better than your expectations, obviously), it is probably best for both, you and the company, to look for opportunities that fit your skills, goals, and personality better.
2. Your Job No Longer Offers You Learning Opportunities
The opportunity to learn and develop is an important motivator for many of us. If you have learned everything that you possibly can learn in your role and the company does not offer you opportunities for further learning and professional development, it might be time to start looking for those opportunities elsewhere. And as you do, watch out for employers who are vague about learning opportunities or career paths inside the organization. You don’t want to find yourself in the same situation six months into the new job.
3. You Have Found Your Passion to Be Elsewhere
Maybe you have noticed lately that the job that you used to enjoy no longer excites you. Or maybe you never felt any particular passion for what you do. Whatever the situation is, if your job doesn’t bring you joy, it might be time to make a change. Finding your passion is important because if you don’t enjoy what you do, the chances are that sooner or later (and probably sooner), it is starting to show in your performance. Just like changing jobs, changing careers is not uncommon at all nowadays. However, plan your strategy carefully and don’t rush into decisions that might impact you and your financial situation significantly. A career change, especially a radical one, will most likely require you to study more and/or to start again from the entry-level.
4. The Work Environment Doesn’t Fit You
Finally, probably the reason that makes you want to change jobs most urgently is a work environment where we don’t feel comfortable. An individual employee can rarely do much about the environment, especially if it is the management style or company culture that don’t fit you. You might be able to adapt for a while but in the long-run, it is likely to start taking a toll on you. And when you look for a new job, be sure to investigate the company culture, and pay special attention to how your future supervisor makes you feel.
Job search is a process that most professionals will go through several times during their careers. Finding the right job usually takes time so in most cases, it is best to plan your job hunt before going ahead and quitting your current job. How has changing jobs changed your career?
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