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12 Signs It’s Time to Look for a New Job

Written by: Lucy Walters
Published on: 22 Dec 2021

12 Signs Its Time to Job SearchIn 2021, a record number of employees handed in their resignation, with the COVID-19 pandemic causing workers across the globe to reconsider their priorities when it comes to finding the ideal job.

If you’re considering a change in your career but aren’t sure if it’s the right time to hand in your notice, we’ve put together this list of 12 signs that it’s time to look for a new job…

You Dread Going to Work

It’s normal to get the occasional Monday morning dread ahead of a new week or to find it hard to leave the house on a cold morning, but if you find yourself dreading going into work more often than not, then it could be a sign you’re ready for a change.

You’re Constantly Looking Elsewhere

Checking out other jobs online every now and then to see what’s out there is healthy and can be helpful when it comes to things like salary negotiations. But if you find yourself scrolling through job boards every day or revisiting the same company pages to see their current vacancies, then perhaps your job just isn’t satisfying you anymore.

You’ve Lost Your Passion

If you think you’ve lost the passion and drive that originally prompted you to apply for your job, ask yourself the following:

  • Do you still believe in the company’s mission?
  • Do you feel you are making a difference in your work?
  • Do the company’s values still align with your own?
  • Do you feel proud of your work/company?

If the answer to the above questions is no and this is preventing you from being productive at work, then maybe it’s time to find a company whose mission and values motivate you to do your best.

You Aren’t Progressing

If you’ve been in the same role a while and haven’t received any new responsibilities or promotions, you might start to feel you’ve outgrown your position. Be sure to raise this in your appraisals and see if there’s anything that can be changed, and keep an eye out for what those around you are doing. It could be a red flag if no one else is moving around either, or if lots of people are leaving to take their next steps elsewhere.

You’re Being Underpaid

It’s not unusual for your remuneration to differ from those you know in a similar role, as salaries will vary depending on factors including location, experience, level of qualification, and industry. However, there are ways of calculating the range your salary should lie within on places like Glassdoor and Indeed. If you think you’re being underpaid, use your research and records of your work to present your case for a pay rise to your manager before you hand in your notice, especially if your salary is the only thing you aren’t happy with.

You Don’t Get on With Your Colleagues

You won’t always get on with everyone you work with, but if you find yourself disagreeing with most of your colleagues on a regular basis, this can really impact your motivation, productivity, and overall job satisfaction.

Try to find new ways of connecting with your colleagues on a personal as well as professional level. If your company doesn’t have many team socials, why not put forward some ideas? If you still can’t find a way of getting on with your colleagues, then maybe it’s time to find somewhere you can work with like-minded people.

Your Job Isn’t Secure

You might have noticed some signs that the company is struggling. Some of these could be:

  • A noticeable reduction in your workload
  • A noticeable loss in clients/customers
  • A hiring freeze
  • Unusually high employee turnover
  • No pay increases, promotions or bonuses are being given out

Thousands of businesses have struggled to stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic, and if you’re working in a company where your future is especially uncertain, it might be time to find somewhere with a little more job security.

There’s no Flexibility

Although most businesses were forced to adapt to either a remote or hybrid working model during the pandemic, not all of them will prioritise flexible working on a permanent basis, instead preferring to revert back to in-office working.

If you’ve found that remote or hybrid working works much better for you and your employer isn’t willing to make changes to your contract, then it might be time to find somewhere with a little more flexibility, as so many employers will be making this a key part of their business going forward.

Your Job Has Changed

It’s normal for jobs to evolve over time, but if you’re unhappy about the direction your role is moving in, or with how different it’s become from your original job description, you might find yourself missing how things were. Perhaps the role you originally applied for no longer exists within the company, and the only way to find your ideal job is to look elsewhere.

You Don’t Have a Strong Mentor/Manager

Is your manager someone you can learn from and feel easily motivated by, or are they someone who is rarely available to you? Having a strong mentor can help you feel motivated and give you direction in your work.

If your manager isn’t someone you can learn from, then it might be time to look for an employer who will give you the guidance you need to progress your career.

Your Work Life is Affecting Your Personal Life

Everyone thinks or talks about work in their personal lives, but your work shouldn’t be consuming your personal life or having a detrimental effect on your mental or physical health. If you’re experiencing some of these, then you may not have the healthiest work-life balance:

  • You’re working extra hours more often than not
  • You’re doing work on weekends, in the evenings, or during annual leave on a regular basis
  • You’re struggling to sleep or feeling constantly stressed at work
  • Your stress has caused you to drink, eat or smoke more than usual and is having a negative impact on your health and wellbeing

Think about the boundaries you could set yourself to create a healthier work-life balance, and if these aren’t supported by your manager, perhaps it’s time to look for a job with more work-life separation.

You Just Want a Change

Your reason for wanting a new job might simply be that you want a change.

Ask your manager if there are any opportunities to get involved with new projects, work with new people, or even shadow someone from another department if you enjoy working for the company. If you feel stuck in your role and you aren’t being encouraged to try new things, then maybe look for somewhere where you can be more flexible in how you develop your career.

Start Your Job Search…

Visit PharmiWeb.Jobs for more careers advice or to start your pharma job search.