The Writing is on The Wall Start Looking for Another Job

by Susan Miller
Let's face, it making the decision to change jobs is difficult for most people; even to the point that most people stay on a job that is not a good fit rather than make the tough decision to move on. Quite often the reason for indecisiveness is uncertainty if leaving their current job is the right thing to do or not.

Here are five critical signs that will help you identify when to leave your current company.

  1. Less responsibility

    All of the sudden some of your responsibilities are redistributed to other employees. This is never a good sign and it can only happen due to one of two reasons. Either your boss is playing favorites (highly unlikely, but possible) or you are not performing as expected and/or required. If it is the latter reason of the two, the writing is on the wall, and there is no question as to when to leave your current company. The next thing you know, they won't be taking away any more responsibilities from you --- they'll be taking away your job and you'll be out the door. You guessed it---start looking for another job.

  2. Outgrown your job

    You have acquired a lot of experience at your current job but you are at the top of the pay scale. It's gotten to the point that you now have more experience than what your job will ever require. Basically, you have outgrown your job and therefore have eliminated the question of when to leave your current company.

  3. Your family responsibilities are suffering

    Time and again, marriages often fall apart because you become married to your job rather than your spouse. Provided that you can recognize the signs, there shouldn't be any doubt that action is required on your part. Ask your employer for some time offf, these days most employers favor giving a productive employee some time off since a well rested stress free employee is a productive asset for a long time to come. Also, explore telecommuting and options like a four day work week. In exchange for the day off during the week, you work 10 hours a day four days a week. Be creative work with you boss to help find solutions versus complaining about the problem. If all else fails --- you guessed it. Start looking for another job.

  4. Opportunity

    If you are one of the proactive ones who started early and your job search lands an offer that fulfills the two basic needs of employment --- the job is a good fit for you and your family and it meets your financial needs --- there should be no question as to when to leave your current company. Also, this goes back to #2 above regarding going as far as you can go up the ladder.

  5. Your Health and wellness

    When it comes to health issues, there is nothing more perilous than experiencing constant stress on the job. When it comes to knowing when to leave your current company, nothing is a clearer indicator than losing sleep, dreading going to work, headaches, backaches, or high blood pressure (the real killer). If your job is making you physically sick, again, the writing is on the wall, and there is no question as to when to leave your current company.
Consider this:

If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always gotten.