5 Signs It’s Time to Look for a New Job

Knowing when it’s time to leave your job is a delicate balancing act.  You may feel it’s time to move forward, but of course you need to take care of your responsibilities, which frankly your job enables you to do.  So how do you know when it’s time to look for a new job?  You could use external factors to get a gauge, i.e. layoffs, furloughs, lack of revenue, scant raises, etc.  But even if the company is growing and healthy you may still be contemplating a major transition.  The editors of Cotton Candy want you to use your internal compass to decide whether you should give your current job more time with a different perspective or if you would be more productive simply transitioning to a new opportunity.

No Work-Life Balance
Every job will at some point require you to exert more energy and spend more hours to get your assigned tasks finished.  But there should be an ebb and flow of work – hectic and lull periods.  If you are not taking care of your body (not eating properly or not exercising because of too much work), you’re missing important family events, have no time to run errands, do chores or have a social life, you need to make a change.  Try first to time manage your work and your personal life.  Determine if the lack of balance is a short term or long term issue.  If the situation is a permanent, consider looking for a new job.

You Want to Grow
Every company and environment will teach you skills that another cannot.  So if you want to gain new experience with varying projects, perspectives, culture, software and platforms taking a position in another company may give you opportunity to grow.  Search for jobs that will push you to grow with on-the-job training, professional workshops and training seminars.  More training and new skills will put you into the position to advance in your field.

Lack of Advancement
Little or no chance for advancement may be a reason to look for other opportunities.  Smaller companies are great environments to learn the inner workings of your profession.  But at times, management positions and resources are limited. Moving up the ladder from staff member to manager may require a move outside of the company.

If you are in a mid-sized to large company and you are not advancing, you may want to ask for new projects or more responsibility.  Many times, however, it can be difficult to get your current boss or coworkers to see you in a different role.  Ask your supervisor about the next steps in the company.  You may find you need more education or training.  If you feel you meet or exceed the criterion but are constantly passed over for a promotion, consider positions outside of the company.

You Need a New Environment
Sometimes you may simply need a change of pace.  New environments provide new beginnings.  A fresh environment can be invigorating and inspiring.  So if you know that your current position is uninspiring, you may want to consider looking outside of the company for fresh perspective.

Stress
Cotton Candy has tackled the topic of how to manage stress.  And we’d like to expand further and encourage you to recognize when stress should not just be managed but lessened or eradicated.  Some workers thrive with the adrenaline that stress may provide, but constant, excessive stress eventually will wear down everyone.  If you’re getting headaches, stomachaches, emotional breakdowns, constant tiredness and anxiety, consider moving on. Try quelling the stress with more frequent, shorter vacations.  Join activities that relieve stress, such as dance classes or sports teams.  If you still need a change, talk to family or friends about whether making a move could be the remedy you need.  Ultimately, you’ll have to make a decision that’s good for you.  Wait until you are clear-minded, rested and unemotional.  Changing jobs can be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make.