In 2018 it is well understood that no job is forever, and most people will hold more than 11 different jobs (either with the same employer or not) by the time they retire. Sometimes a job move is due to the need for a change of locality or for a work-life balance after the birth of a child. Yet there is also a need for a job change when things are not as rosy in the workplace as they could be. There are seven main reasons you should look at changing your job now, and not wait to see if things “get better”.

1. You are bored:

No longer feeling challenged or able to become excited about the work you are performing? This might be the first sign it is time to move on. By being bored at work, you might not be performing at your highest capacity (meaning you could damage your reputation in the future).

2. You would not recommend your company to your friends and inner network:

Do you have the boss from hell or feel the company has poor staff retention due to mismanagement? If so, there is a very slim chance you would want anyone you know to endure the same enviroment. And if you would not recommend others to work where you are working, then neither should you.

3. Your goals do not align with the organisation:

Has your company gone through a restructure or change in direction since you first started working for them? If your values and goals no longer align with management and your organisation, there is a big chance your performance in the future will not be as well received as previously. This could very well hinder future promotion prospects, or worse, destroy your morale.

4. Constantly exhausted/drained:

Are you always drained and tired both during the day and after work? It could be due to a vitamin deficiency or a poorly acting thyroid, but being constantly drained at work could also be a sign you are overworked or unmotivated/bored with your current role.

5. It looks like there may be redundancies in the future:

If you can feel the pressure in the air because your organisation is not winning enough work (or any work for that matter), there will most likely be redundancies in the near future. By acting early you can ensure that you will not be left in the lurch when the redundancies come around (especially important since an employed candidate is much more appealing to organisations that one who is not working).

6. You are passed over for promotions and exciting projects:

Everyone wants to be the best that they can be and add the most value to the organisation whenever possible, however being overlooked for promotions and valuable projects could be a sign your organisation does not see your value or is not focused in assisting you advance within their organisation.

7. You are not getting paid what you are worth:

Don’t get us wrong, money should not be the main priority for leaving a job, however if you have been employed for many years with the same organisation and have gained valuable skills and been entrusted with more responsibility, your remuneration should be in line with your current duties. If you realise you are being taken advantage of, it might be time to look for an organisation who will appreciate what you are worth and pay you accordingly.

            NB: How to know what you are worth:

Believe it or not, you do not set your own worth yourself, it is what the market would and will pay you for your skills, background and the benefits you can bring to an organisation. A great way to determine your value is to go for some job interviews and see what people would be willing to pay you, or better still ask an industry specific recruiter (since they are a wealth of knowledge in the industry).

So before thinking everything is rosy and you can do another year or 18 months, ask yourself if staying in the wrong organisation/role will benefit or hinder you in the future.