Change is scary, especially when it comes to changing careers. There are many things you likely worry about in trying to decide when to quit your job – what if the new job is even worse than the old one, or what if there is no better job out there that has equal or improved pay? Yet, at some point, you have to bite the bullet, so to speak, and find a new job. Eventually, if you are unhappy at work, the pain of staying will be greater than the fear of the unknown. Like with any big change, it’s easy to find excuses and put something off until later, but there are some sure signs that it’s time for a new career.
Here are four things to consider in deciding when to quit your job.
Ask Yourself These Questions to Decide When to Quit Your Job
Are you passionate about the work?
When we ask about passion, we’re not only talking about whether or not you like your job. We aren’t implying that you have to be excited to go to work every day in order to be passionate. We all have good days and bad days. What we’re talking about is, even on the days when you’d rather sleep in, is there something about your job that inspires you or moves you forward? Is the work that you are doing meaningful on at least some level? Are you still doing the job to the best of your ability, or is your lack of passion causing you to slack at work? If you dread going to work every day, it doesn’t have to be this way.
How’s your work-life balance?
Is the stress from your job affecting your life outside of work? If so, that’s a good sign that you need to move on. Although some days are naturally more stressful than others, if that stress is so consistent that you can’t enjoy your free time without worrying about work issues, a line has been crossed. Remember, work hard, play hard. If you can’t balance these two things at your current job, consider looking for a new one that has more flexibility.
Are you still learning new skills?
Consider whether or not you are still learning at your job, or if there is room for advancement. If you feel like you’re not passionate about your current position, is there somewhere else within the company for you to go? Maybe it’s not the time to quit your job, but to advance your position within the company. If you are no longer learning or growing in your career, and there’s no possibility of advancement, start looking for your next career move.
Do your colleagues bring you down?
You may think that company culture is some bogus thing that people talk about to sound cool, but it’s actually very, very important. Think about it. You spend more time with the people you work with than you do with the people you live with or hang out with outside of work. If your co-workers are negative, not friendly, or creating a toxic work environment for you, it could be that you aren’t connecting with the company culture.
If you are looking for a career change, check out Track5Media! Not only do we have available positions at our company in Lancaster, Pa, but we also manage several websites that connect professionals, from healthcare workers to truck drivers, to new jobs all across the country.
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