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7 signs you’re ready for a change of job

Kate Allen, Executive Chair and Marketing Director, Allen Associates

If the harsh reality of being back at work in January has left you itching for a career change, you’re not alone. Looking for a new job tends to feature high amongst New Year resolutions, but not everyone is ready to take the plunge.

Sure, the New Year can be a good time to take stock and reflect, but it shouldn’t be the sole reason for changing direction. Here are seven signs that suggest it might be time to switch-up your career in 2018.

#1: The mere thought of work fills you with dread

We all get that Monday morning feeling sometimes, but if you spend every Sunday consumed by a sinking feeling, it’s probably time to listen to your gut. Dreading work to the extent that you’re left feeling worn-out can actually begin to impact on other areas of your life. If you’ve noticed that relationships with your friends and family are starting to suffer, perhaps it’s time to look into a career that you would enjoy.

#2: You spend your working day watching the clock

If you find yourself counting down the hours until you can log off, it might be an indicator that something needs to change. We spend the majority of our lives at work, so why waste time doing a job that doesn’t motivate you?

#3: There’s no room for you to grow

Career mobility is an important factor for career satisfaction – no one wants to feel like they’re stuck in a dead-end job. If you’ve explored all possible avenues in your current post and you still feel like you’re not able to fulfil your potential, you might well be ready to take the leap.

#4: Your job doesn’t match your personality and skillset

Perhaps you’re someone with great people skills and you get great satisfaction from building relationships, but you’re stuck in front of screen all day analysing data. If your responsibilities and tasks don’t suit who you are as a person, you should look into a career that would.

#5: If you think: ‘there’s got to be more to life’

For many people, it’s important to be able focus on what really matters to them. Having a sense of purpose can elevate our feelings about career satisfaction and improve our general wellbeing. Consider working for an organisation with a mission that you care about or pursuing a career in a sector that ignites your passion.

#6: You feel like a number

Everyone deserves to feel valued at work. Feelings of indifference will begin to kick in if employees don’t get recognised for the work they do or have the opportunity to share their own ideas.

#7: You daydream about a different career

If you just can’t shake the feeling that you’re meant to be doing something else with your life, perhaps the New Year really is the perfect opportunity to pursue your dream career. Providing that you have the financial security to allow you to do it, why not follow your passion?

So, if after reading this you’ve realised that a change is very much what’s needed in your career right now, get in touch with the team today. Or take a look at some of the great new roles we’re recruiting for right now.