How do you know when it’s time for a job change?
I am not talking about the obvious – being laid off, being told to start looking. Those painful situations have the advantage of clarity – you know what you have to do.
For others, the situation is not clear. I think there is an art to knowing when it is time to take steps.
Signs:
- Your role in staff meetings comes under fire,
- You become identified as a problem when you raise a concern,
- You are not given the tools/authority/assistance/space you need to do your job.
I know one person whose job included bidding on contracts for continuing education. He consistently told his superiors that there was increased competition for a major contract, and he needed to come in with a lower cost. They refused to let him do this. To no one’s surprise, the contract was awarded to someone else. I mentioned that yes, it was time to look for another job before people started noticing that this was a highly-paid individual without much to do. The loss of the contract could be blamed on him. Yes, he started looking, and now has a very responsible job in a major university.
Are you getting an uneasy feeling that nothing is going your way? I suggest that you take a few steps now:
- Update your resume,
- Set up a few lunch meetings,
- Get on an ad hoc committee to solve an industry-wide problem,
- Get your financial affairs in order for a time of transition.
Yes, tough times make it challenging even to consider leaving a job with a steady salary. Take the time you need. You will feel better knowing that you are moving in a direction of more respect, more opportunity for success and recognition, more real satisfaction.
If you would like to share some signs that it is time to look for another job, I invite you to post a comment. This will be of help to other readers.
