Switching jobs is the new normal for career growth. In generations past, remaining with a single company to move up the career ladder was a more logical choice than starting fresh somewhere else. But nowadays, that type of loyalty is far less likely to offer a corner office-type title. It is always a good idea to know whether your career will benefit from a new job. Ask yourself these questions to see whether it’s time for you to start looking for a new job.
Do you enjoy your work?
Asking yourself whether you like what you do is an important question. Whatever the crux of your field, be it caretaking, writing, researching, or teaching, you should enjoy it. If you don’t find your work interesting, there is a problem, and this is a good indicator that you should start looking for a new job, or possibly a new career.
However, if you do like your work, but you find there are other issues with your job, such as the work environment or coworkers, you may not need to jump the gun. Consider staying where you are, and read on to see how you can make your current job better.
Does your schedule fit your lifestyle?
After you’ve evaluated the type of work and whether you enjoy it, consider your schedule. Do you endure a long commute or long hours? If this is your main job issue, consider going part-time. Some employers will allow this option, especially if you job share or split a full-time workload with another qualified person.
Other concerns that fall under the schedule category can include long periods of sitting or standing and long hours staring at a computer screen. Most employers will offer short breaks. You need to take them every few hours to relax your eye muscles (look into the distance for a few minutes) and to stretch out your muscles.
If you find that these schedule concerns are not easily rectified at your current job, consider switching to a new job.
Are you getting paid what you deserve?
There are many tools to help you gain an understanding of whether you are on the right pay scale. Do a broad search and collect as much data as you can before concluding whether you are underpaid. The area you live in, the company you work for, and your years of experience can all factor into the equation. Also, consider the benefits you are receiving because those are a piece of the pay puzzle as well.
If you aren’t getting paid what you deserve, you may want to look for a new job. According to a career coach in DC KO Coaching, looking for a new job can serve two purposes: approaching your current employee with a new job offer may prompt negotiations, or taking a new job may be a better option.
How would you classify your work environment?
Some work environments are toxic, competitive, gossipy, or tense. Some managers are not as good at their job as employees would like. Ask yourself about your current work environment. Is there a culture that doesn’t vibe with you? Often, work environments can’t be changed, but if there is a way to fix the issue, do that before considering another job. If, however, the work environment can’t be fixed, consider looking for something new.
Are you happy with your current job?
The main question to ask yourself about your current job is whether you are happy. If you aren’t, one of the issues listed above may be the culprit, but there may be a different issue, too, such as little growth opportunity. Dig deep and ask yourself what isn’t making you happy with your job. Brainstorm how to solve these issues, and if they are unsolvable, it’s definitely time to start looking for a new job.
Looking for a new opportunity is not a commitment. You can start looking even if you are happy in your current situation because it’s smart to know what’s out there. Typically, switching jobs opens more doors than sticking with a single company for your entire career. It’s a matter of knowing when to make that switch.