9 Glaring Signs It’s Time to Look for a New Job

All of us experience job dissatisfaction from time to time, but how do we know when it’s time to throw in the proverbial towel and look for a new job? This is an especially tricky question right now with the titanic pandemic shifts continuing to be felt in the job market. From no jobs to remote jobs, from a mantra of “take care of our employees” to “get back in the office – now,” and now, from labor shortages to massive layoffs. If you’re getting whiplash from watching the pendulum swing, you’re not alone.

This uncertainty can contribute to job search paralysis. After all, if we wait a few minutes, everything could change – again. But how long should you wait before looking for a new job? And, if you do decide to roll the dice on a new job opportunity, will it be better? Or, given the current economy, will you still have a job at all in a year or two?

Is Now a Good Time to Look for a New Job?

First things first, is this a good or bad time to be looking for a new job? While early in 2022 there were critical labor shortages and record low unemployment, the economy has cooled since then. Driven by interest rate hikes and shifts in consumer demand after the pandemic, companies are once again re-adjusting their labor strategies. This situation indicates a need for caution, and it may not be the best time to quit before securing a new job. However, even as the job market tightens, this is still the best climate to change jobs that you are likely to see for quite a while. This is because the strategies used to reduce inflation are also likely to reduce the number of new jobs too.

Signs It’s Time to Get a New Job

Given the current economic uncertainties, it’s important to make sure that a job change is not only beneficial but necessary. Examine this list of signs that it’s time to find a new job and see how many fit your current employment situation:

1. There’s Nowhere to Grow Via Pay or Position

If you have hit a pay ceiling and have no promotion possibilities, you may be feeling restless. With today’s inflation, you may need the pay increase that a new job can bring. Especially when the average salary increases 14.8% when changing jobs. In addition, ambitious types are not content when there is no way to advance or learn new skills. If this sounds like you, it’s probably a good time to look for new job opportunities if you are feeling held back. Whether it’s because of your role, the size of your company, or a lack of support for professional development, a job with no advancement opportunities is a good reason to look for your next career step.

2. Toxic Work Culture

During the recent “Great Resignation,” the main reason cited for leaving their job was a toxic work culture. A recent study conducted by MIT found that a toxic work culture contributed to employee attrition 10.5 times more than compensation. MIT researchers found the top three contributions to toxic cultures were a failure to promote diversity and inclusion, workers feeling disrespected, and unethical behavior. If this is your reason for wanting to quit, it’s a good one, but don’t think that just by changing companies or industries you can get away from it, as this is a problem that transcends both. Before you change jobs, make sure to do your homework, or you could find yourself in a similar situation.

3. Layoffs Are Coming

Ever heard of Twitter? If you’ve been watching the news lately, you have seen the dire predictions of recession and witnessed the thousands of layoffs taking place in the tech industry. If you are hearing rumblings of layoffs, you might want to start looking for a new position sooner rather than later. Job insecurity and company reorganizations cause employee turnover 3.5 times more than pay, according to the MIT researchers. While it’s a good idea to get your ducks in a row, make sure you don’t jump ship too early. Unless you have a crystal ball, you don’t know if your position will be affected. In addition, you might miss a sweet severance package.

4. Your Great Ideas Are Not Recognized

Another element that eclipsed compensation in MIT’s study was the failure of an employer to recognize positive and negative performance. Their research found employees are almost three times more likely to quit if an employer fails to notice low performers or fails to recognize high performance with higher pay. The lack of recognition applied with both informal and financial recognition, too. So, if this is why you want to quit, you’re not alone.

5. No Promotions for You!

Sometimes when you’re passed over for a promotion, it’s for a good reason. Someone else was clearly better qualified or was next in line, or has a particular skill or talent that is needed. However, sometimes the reason is not so clear. If you can’t get a straight answer as to why you were passed over, you might need to dig deeper. There may be a reason they are not telling you, but that will ice any future promotional opportunities with your current employer. Maybe they want a specific degree or background experience that you don’t have. Regardless, if your employer doesn’t see you as the future, then you should seek out a new employer.

6. You Are Not Aligned With Your Company’s Values

Whether your company has changed or you have, sometimes an employer and employee just drift apart. Breaking up can be hard to do, but if the vision, mission, and goals of your employer are no longer reflective of your personal value system, it might be time to go. We all want to feel part of something greater than ourselves, and if your job doesn’t do it for you, you might want to apply with a company where you feel like you are contributing to something you can believe in.

7. Work Stress Keeps You Awake at Night

The causes of work stress are myriad. It might be an unpleasant coworker, a difficult project, overwork, too much responsibility, lack of autonomy, and so on. Regardless of the source or sources of your work stress, it’s important to recognize it when you are feeling negative effects. Especially when your work stress starts to cause you lose sleep, argue with family members, or get physically sick. If you are suffering from this type of stress, it’s time to get out.

8. You Need More Flexibility

Many workers are currently experiencing a reduction in the flexibility they have come to expect. While many companies are continuing with the transition to remote or hybrid work arrangements, others are increasing the pressure on their employees to return to the office. If your employer is requiring you to go back in the office and whether due to preference or necessity, you don’t want to go, it’s time to start your new remote job search.

9. Every Day is Monday

Finally, no one likes Monday, and if it’s starting to feel like every day is Monday, you might want to do some reflection to identify the root of your feelings. There are many reasons that you may feel dread when going to work – nasty coworkers, a difficult boss, unpleasant tasks, and so on. But there is no reason to remain in a miserable situation longer than necessary. Before you assume you need to look at new jobs, however, make sure that you are not the problem. If you are incorrectly identifying the source of dread, you will just bring it with you when you quit.

Decision Made?

If, after considering the above points, you decide in favor of looking for a new job, the first step is to develop an effective job search strategy. Make sure to include updating your resume, reaching out to your network, and finding a good job search service. If you’re looking for remote work, then Virtual Vocations is the perfect partner for your job search. In addition to tens of thousands of hand-vetted remote jobs, there is also a full range of career services to help you put your best foot forward.

Which of these signs are crucial to you when weighing a job change? Connect with Virtual Vocations on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube to share your thoughts. We’d love to hear from you!