Is It Time to Change Jobs? Here’s How To Tell

Some people are very fortunate in their careers. They land a job they like early on and then stay there indefinitely. For others, it’s not quite so simple. You might find yourself in a job where you feel unfulfilled or dissatisfied. In these situations, it’s normal to think about looking for something else or even changing your career path entirely. If you’re trying to decide whether to quit and move on to a new position, consider these tell-tale signs that it’s time.

Sign #1: You Don’t Feel Challenged

Great jobs are jobs that challenge you. They don’t stay exactly the same day after day. Instead, they call on you to use and develop new skills. They also help you learn more about yourself and your own strengths and weaknesses. If your job has you feeling stagnant and bored, instead of excited and inspired, it may be time to think about applying elsewhere. At the very least, you may want to look at different, more challenging positions within the organization you work for

Sign #2: You’re Not Making Enough

If you’re dissatisfied with your salary or finding it hard to make ends meet, you might want to search for higher paying opportunities. This is especially true if you feel like the amount of work you do is disproportionate to what you get paid. Alternatively, you can talk to your boss about a raise or promotion opportunities to try and improve the situation.

Sign #3: You’ve Changed

People change and grow as life goes on, and that’s a good thing. However, your job doesn’t always change along with you. If you’ve acquired new skills, new interests, or even new certifications or degrees, there may be a different job that’s better suited to where you are now. If you’re not sure how well your current job fits the new you, consider taking a personality inventory. These tests can tell you a lot about who you are, how you work, and what careers would be the best fit for you.

Leaving a job can be scary, but it can also lead to wonderful new opportunities. If you’re thinking about making a change, research your options and consider the pros and cons. Also, speak with a career counseling service for advice and guidance. From there, you can make an informed decision about your future.