Is it Time for a New Job?

Everyone has good days and bad days at work. That’s life, right? But, what if the bad days are outnumbering the good? How do you know when it’s time for a change?

While not everyone can afford to quit their job at the drop of a hat, it’s important to have an exit plan if the position is making you miserable. Staying at a job you dislike for too long can cause serious stress, possibly resulting in depression, relationship problems and anger.

Here are the top 10 warning signs you need a new job:

1. You are already thinking about finding a new job. If you've already been mulling over the thought of leaving your job, chances are, you’re thinking that for a good reason. If your dislike for your job, your co-workers, or your boss is constantly on your mind, you should take that as a sign that it's time to start job searching.
2. Conversations with your family and friends become dominated by complaints about your workday. If every dinner conversation starts and ends with a negative commentary about your day at work, it might be time to find a job that won’t incite complaints but instead productive discussion about your professional challenges, lessons learned, and the day’s highlights.

3. You find yourself frequently dreaming about retirement - even if you’re young. Do you spend all day dreaming about retirement, calculating the years, months, and days until the time comes? Don't spend your professional life in countdown mode. Instead, take that feeling and use it as motivation to find a position that is satisfying and emotionally fulfilling.​
4. Your sleep patterns have been disrupted. You have difficulty getting to sleep, or you wake up during the night with worries about your job. Sleep is very important to your health, and job-induced stress can be a cause of poor sleep.

5. You have developed headaches, frequent colds, or other physical symptoms of stress. Your physical health can sometimes be an indicator of your mental health, and if you're feeling generally sick, your job might be to blame.

6. You have increased your consumption of alcohol or drugs to escape your problems. While it's okay to relax with a glass of wine after work, your day shouldn't be driving you to down a bottle or pour glass after glass of vodka tonic. If you find that your work is causing your copious consumption of alcohol, drugs or cigarettes, you should take some time to reflect on your professional situation.

7. Your appetite is suppressed, or you are eating more than usual. Some people turn to food in the same way they do to drugs and alcohol, but stress can also cause you to lose your appetite overall. If you’re eating or drinking too much because of stress at work, it’s a sign that this may not be the job for you.

8. You dread Mondays, or you have trouble waking up for work in the morning.It's normal to be tired in the morning, but you shouldn't feel a pit-inducing dread or thought-consuming anxiety when it's time to work.

9. You are less productive at work, lack passion, and are bored more often.If you're checking Facebook every ten minutes, playing around with Pinterest, constantly find yourself on YouTube, or are bored with every task, you might need to look for a more mentally stimulating job.
10. You are arguing more with your boss and coworkers. If your dissatisfaction with your job is creating tension in the office or if you are getting reprimanded for bad behavior, then it’s definitely time to look for a new job. It’s better to leave a job on good terms, so you can keep your past employer as a source for recommendations or network connections.

Creating an exit strategy

If you’ve made the decision to move on, don’t just quit your job. In most cases you can begin a job search while you’re still employed. It’s easier to get hired when you’re working, and it may take some time to find another job. Planning your job search will also give you something else to focus on and keep you motivated.

If possible, don’t tell anyone at your current job you are planning on leaving. This may be hard if you are close to some of your colleagues, but you don’t want your plans to become water cooler gossip. As you’re looking for your next opportunity, stay calm and be flexible.

Remember, we here at The Lee Group can assist you in your job search and help you find a rewarding job. Look to us for job openings or send us your resume for executive placement and search services.