Is Now the Right Time for a Career Change? Here's How to Know

You landed what you thought would be your dream job, but over the years, you haven’t seen a fairytale outcome. In some ways, it may have even turned into a nightmare. You could still hold out hope that things will improve, but you may also be tempted to move on. Here’s our best advice on what to do if you find yourself in this situation.

Signs To Watch For

While this is always going to be a highly personal equation, there are some universal things to consider that can help you to make a decision about your employment. Check out our list below and take note of how each factor resonates with you and your current situation and feelings.

Burnout

If you generally have a lack of energy and you feel physically and mentally drained, you regularly experience insomnia, or feel constantly stressed, it’s worth taking time to track whether these symptoms stem from your employment. If they do, they are clear signs of burnout. You may also find yourself so depleted that you are experiencing regular bouts of physical illness as well. Burnout is a complex cocktail that can include a range of related issues, like being overworked, underappreciated, and no longer stimulated by your work, or unable to see purpose in what you do.

Lack Of Interest

Part of what keeps us engaged and fulfilled at work is a good challenge that stretches our skills. However, if work has become very monotonous and it generally lacks new challenges to your skill set, you could find yourself very bored indeed. This can lead to complacency and apathy, basically feeling “checked out” while on the clock. Lack of excitement about new projects and a disconnection from your former motivations make it pretty obvious that you have outgrown your position and may want to consider moving on.

Anxiety

If you are regularly feeling dread and a general sense of negativity when thinking about work, or if you're frequently unhappy and irritable and you can trace those feelings back to your job, it may be time to move on. Of course, there are countless reasons why you may feel anxious, but if it centers around work and there doesn’t seem to be a way forward and you are dismissed when you try to address your concerns, it may be in your best interest to search for new employment.

Lack of Fulfillment

When you first started this job, you felt like you were making a difference somehow. You had a purpose, and you truly aligned with the company’s mission. But if that perspective has done a complete reversal and you’re only sticking around for the paycheck, you may be better off elsewhere. Not every day at work has to be highly fulfilling, but if you never experience that sensation anymore and every day is just a drudgery, it might be time to move along.

Lack of Opportunity

Stagnation and lack of growth can lead anyone to resent their employment. If you regularly feel stuck, with no room for advancement, and your skills are not being utilized or in any way developed, you may be better engaged elsewhere. Once you’ve mastered a role, it only makes sense that you’d want to move into new territory, and if your current employer can’t recognize your ability and potential, then you’re not wrong in wanting to seek that with a new company.

Work-Life Imbalance

Your job may have originally been perfectly manageable, and you enjoyed your role in the company. But over time, you’ve had to absorb additional roles, make up for coworkers who have left, and your trustworthiness and reliability have led managers to take advantage of you. If your job has begun to negatively impact personal relationships, health, and overall well-being, it is worth considering if a move may make sense in your case.

Misalignment of Values

People change, and life circumstances and experiences can cause a complete reversal in our viewpoints on a range of topics, including whether or not we agree with our employer’s values and stated mission. Time spent at a company can also expose the cracks in the facade that others may not see, and combined with a changing mindset, you may simply feel dishonest working for a business you no longer align with. This level of moral hypocrisy can easily eat away at your conscience and make a change feel necessary.

Should You Stay or Should You Go?

We need to make it clear that any or all of these above situations could be caused by countless factors, both work-related and otherwise. Not taking care of oneself physically or mentally, dealing with a difficult health condition, relationship or family problems, or just the hard reality of life in an uncertain world and an unpredictable economy can all do a number on anyone’s psychological state. So before you opt to leave, it’s important to have a sit-down with yourself and really assess if work is to blame. It is also worth working with trusted medical professionals to ensure that your health isn’t at the root of your problems.

If you still feel that work is the issue, seek out someone in authority to whom to feel comfortable expressing yourself. Let them know how you feel and ask for their help to improve your situation. If that still doesn’t resolve things, then you’ve done your due diligence, and it might just be time to move on. 

That said though, for your financial and career health, a harsh break generally isn’t recommended. In fact, it’s often a better idea to begin a preliminary job search while you are still employed. This technique offers continued financial stability and offers you a better sense of the current job market before jumping in headlong. It also gives you negotiating leverage as you’ll likely appear more attractive to potential employers when employed, thus opening better opportunities than if you had abruptly quit. Just be sure to be discreet, keep the matter to yourself, and use your own personal resources in your job search. 

Once you’re sure that there are viable options out there that can give you the pay and benefits you require, then begin the process in earnest. Be sure to let potential employers know that you will need time to transition out of your current role, and let your employer know as soon as you accept another employment offer.

While you’re at this sometimes lengthy process, be sure to keep focused on your motivations. Are you simply trying to run away from negative emotions, imagining that a new career will be a simple solution? Unfortunately, this is not generally the case. However, if you are aiming to improve the quality of your life and make more time for yourself and those you love, then you will have more fortitude in your decision making and can avoid allowing the situation to repeat. 

Here’s a simple suggestion before you make any big moves: take that saved up PTO you’ve been hoarding and schedule some time off. Take a trip you’ve been fantasizing about. Or opt for a staycation and spend some quality time with your family and friends, doing things that you love. You really may just be teetering on the edge of burnout, but a meaningful time of rest and relaxation could set you right. However, if after that break you still feel dismal and nothing has changed for you, then this could be a sign that your feelings are signs of a persistent issue and that it may be time to move on to new horizons. 

A few to-the-point questions to ask yourself include:

• Am I still learning, or am I stuck on repeat?
• Does work light me up or drain me dry? 
• Am I merely getting through every day?
• Is this job helping me develop personally?
• Is this position part of the career and life I want for myself and my family?
• Am I motivated by loyalty or fear? 
• Do I believe in this company and my teammates?
• Does this work still matter to me?
• Are the challenges external or internal?
• Can I see myself in this job in five years?
• What are my true interests and passions?

Technical Search Consultants Can Help

If, after some self-analysis, you decide that you’ve done what you set out to do and are ready to move into the next chapter of your life, it’s worth working with a job search consultant who understands. Agency search consultants who know your industry and take time to understand your unique background can help you find that just-right position with your next dream employer.

At Technical Search Consultants, we help job seekers to find career opportunities in a range of professions and industries. We offer dedicated recruiters who work with you personally and offer comprehensive services like resume tweaking, interview preparation, and career planning–ideal if you’ve been out of the game for a while. With our support on deck, you are sure to make a lasting impression on prospective employers. We help you to capitalize on your skills to find the job you’re looking for. Your goal is our goal, because we are committed to your success.

We’re more than a temp agency–we’re your personal job search consultant, ready to do what it takes to find you your next ideal position. If you’re looking for a staffing agency in Cleveland to jumpstart your jobsearch and launch you into higher heights of your career, don’t wait–submit your resume online and contact us today to learn more. It’s high time you got started on your journey to a better life.