The biggest mistake people make when it comes to their jobs, aside from getting too comfortable, is that they don't know when to quit. You told yourself this was a temporary job and somehow, over the years, you found yourself promoted a few times and making a comfortable living.
You're too comfortable to quit and working 9 to 5 with weekends and paid vacations is the ideal set up for you. There comes a time in everyone's career where they reach a crossroads and they consider quitting their job.
Well they say no one likes a quitter, but who cares? It's all about self preservation and putting yourself in the best position possible to succeed. Here are the 10 signs it's time to quit your job:
Either you or your company is involved in a scandal.
As an employee of a company, you are obligated to work under its standards of professionalism and courtesy. This means that the company culture provides you with a guideline as to how you should conduct yourself. You are a hard worker and your work is always done well and on time. You built this reputation for yourself and everyone respects you for it.
However it takes a while to build a reputation and only seconds to ruin it. If you or your company is ever involved in a major scandal, then it is important that you consider quitting your job. After a scandal, it will almost be impossible to regain your once stellar reputation, cut your losses and look for a fresh start elsewhere.
The company you work for is going under.
While company loyalty is an important characteristic that will set you apart from many of your co-workers, it may hold your career back. No one should hang around a particular job at the expense of his career.
This is why it's imperative that you pay attention to the direction your company is moving. Times have changed and jobs are scarce, your bosses are no longer your career guides to retirement, at the end of the day, you need to do what you feel is right to achieve retirement. If you notice that your company is going under, then it's time you start thinking about moving on.
Although your checks may still be coming on time, staying at your job while your company is a sinking ship can be detrimental to your career, as many companies are hesitant to hire unemployed workers.
You're not being challenged enough at your current position.
You are an individual who strives for success and does not leave a project without it being fully complete and ready to be taken to the next level. You like to learn knew things and you love to be challenged.
If you notice that your position is full of menial tasks that aren't challenging, it may be time to leave. If you are not being challenged at work, it is a sign that your career may have stalled. Take this time to start looking for additional responsibilities or even shop around for a new job.
You're not learning anything new.
Learning new skills and developing the current skills you have is highly important to the longevity of your career. Being open to learning allows you to grow and easily transition between positions in the company. If you are stuck in a position where you may not be learning anything new, then there is a high chance that your career isn't going to move forward at a pace that you would like.
If your current job does not encourage learning new skills then it's imperative that you begin to shop around for a new position or a new job all together. If you stop learning, then you stop growing and this is a sign that it is time for you to get out.
When upper-management seems to be keeping you out of the loop.
You work for a team and all teams do well when there is a constant form of communication between upper-management and employees. There is no sign more ominous than frequent closed door meetings conducted by executives. Although there are times where closed door meetings are appropriate, when they become frequent, you should start worrying.
Usually closed door meetings mean that management has decided to make changes to your office and it may mean that your job is vulnerable. When these meetings conclude and your executives fail to inform you on things that are going on or that things may be changing, it is time you tighten up that resume and begin looking for a new position elsewhere.
Work is actually making you sick.
We understand that meeting deadlines and finishing assignments can be quite stressful. Long nights and early mornings are not the ideal situation for your health. On top of that, worrying about paying bills and disagreements with your managers can prove to be taxing on the body. If you notice that your job is affecting your health, you may want to consider lightening up your work load or finding a new job all together.
Constant headaches could be a major side effect of stress and anxiety, so when it comes to your career, health comes first. No matter the situation, your health is a vital component and if you feel your job is affecting your health, then begin reaching out for other jobs.
You are no longer passionate about the work that you do.
No one works harder than an individual who loves what he is doing because to him it's about the work and not the money. Many people are passionate about their careers when they first start.
The longer they find themselves working a particular position, the more likely they are to lose their passion for their career. If you no longer wake up energized and you don't look forward to your work day, it's safe to say that you have lost interest in your job. We will spend a majority of our lives working, so it is crucial that we enjoy what we are doing. If you begin counting down the hours to 5pm and can barely wait to leave your place of work, then it's time to move on.
You see that there is no room for advancement.
One of the major reasons why we decide to stay with a particular company is that we feel there is room for advancement. We all strive to be the best we can in the hopes that our efforts are rewarded. Some of the most common rewards include bigger bonuses and promotions with more responsibilities. There are certain jobs that you may find yourself reaching the highest point early in your career.
If you are comfortable and like what you are doing, then you may consider staying. If you are not satisfied with the way you are getting promoted or see that you reached the highest point in that current field of work, then it is time for you to look for a new job.
Your company is changing the original goals you were hired to help achieve.
When being hired for a particular job, your managers will give you a set of goals they planned for you and the team to achieve. The reason you were hired in the first place was because your skills and talents were expected to fill a particular void to achieve a certain goal. When you notice that the goal you were originally hired for has changed, it may lead to unexpected projects that you were never prepared for.
Also if you notice the company is changing focus, you may not support its new direction. This will lead to potential rifts between you and your managers. Bite the bullet early on this one and begin looking for a new job.
You found another job.
A massive mistake people make while they look to change their careers is that they quit way too early without having a backup plan. We understand there are certain instances that may require you to quit instantly. However, if you are ever considering leaving a job, make sure you have a plan in your back pocket. Do not, under any circumstance, quit your job without having a potential job on the back burner.
You do not want to shoot yourself in the foot by discontinuing the only source of income you currently have. Before you quit, make sure you have another job lined up.
