8 signs you may need a new job

One of the trickiest questions to answer in a job interview is: “Why are you looking for a new job?” Standard answers typically revolve around seeking a new challenge or wanting to put your excellent skills to better use, etc. The truth, however, is usually very different.

It’s said that the best job candidates are passive: those who are only casually looking or don’t even realise right now that they need another job – those whose motivation levels languish on the floor. Sound familiar? Could it be you need a fresh start? The signs may be there, you just need to recognise them. Here’s how to tell if perhaps you need a new job:

1. You dread the alarm going off

Okay, most of us dread the alarm going off, but ask yourself why. Is it purely because you’d have liked a little more sleep? Is it because it’s cold and dark outside? Or is it because you don’t want to go in to the office? Many people experience this feeling on occasion – dread at the thought of a particular phone call, meeting or task – but the majority are fine by the next day. If this is a daily occurrence, then be honest and consider why it is that you’re snoozing the alarm clock.

2. Your ideas aren’t landing

There’s no better feeling at work than when someone tells you: “That’s a great idea, we’ll do it!” It serves as validation that a) you know what you’re doing and b) your contribution is valued. If your suggestions aren’t hitting the mark, for whatever reason, it might be that the job isn’t quite right for you anymore.

3. You’re bored

Ever find yourself thinking: “I’m not interested!” when a colleague shares some industry information? Does your mind wander in the middle of meetings? Go on, how many times have you clock watched already today? If you’re bored at work, the day can drag, your motivation levels drop and productivity dips. Therefore, it’s probably worth you taking some action before the boss has a word. Fortunately, with so many and varied vacancies out there, you’re bound to find a job that really piques your interest.

4. There’s no career progression

Professional advancement is such an important driver, most companies actively highlight their career progression schemes, using them as talent attraction tools. Therefore, it can be near soul-destroying when you’re rejected for an internal promotion. Once is bad enough, but if it’s happened a few times, then you’ve got to wonder why. Ask for feedback and assess the comments – was it due to gaps in your skill set or did the hiring manager genuinely believe his cousin was the better fit? Now could be the right time to look externally. Besides, recent research finds that people who get a new job elsewhere effectively receive higher pay rises than those who remain with a company, so…

5. Your values are no longer aligned

It could be that new processes or management have been introduced to the business since those heady days when you first joined, but it’s important that the company values align with those of its employees. If you’re starting to question, or worse, disagree with some of the activities that are taking place, then maybe think about finding an organisation which does make your heart soar.

6. Your colleagues are leaving

People leave jobs, that’s a fact, and it’s not necessarily a bad thing. However, it’s foolish to underestimate the impact a great bunch of colleagues has on you. Research shows that people with a best friend at work are not only happier, but more productive. So when that friend or several team members hand in their resignation, it’s bound to impact your own morale and desire to stay on without them. Naturally, they could be replaced with equally lovely people, but it’ll probably make you question why they’re leaving and whether you want to be the last person standing.

7. Your boss

Our research into why people leave their jobs found – unequivocally – that the single biggest reason for moving on is to get away from the boss. Personality clashes do occur, but most people can overlook these and act professionally in the office. And while your boss might not be quite as irritating as David Brent, the great thing about work is that you have the power and right to find something else. Why put up with an uncomfortable environment for eight hours a day?

8. It’s having an impact on your work-life balance

Maybe your workload has suddenly increased, or an office move means your commute is further. Perhaps flexible working privileges aren’t being extended or you’re expected to answer the boss’s emails out of hours. It could be that your personal circumstances have changed, meaning your priorities are different. Regardless of the cause, if your job has tipped your work-life balance in the wrong direction, it could be time to tidy up that CV. Work-life balance is one of the most important factors for jobseekers today, and there are many fabulously progressive employers out there who will enable you to work remotely or manage your own hours. Go and find one!

We all have off days at work, but the difference between an off day and the desire to leave, is that the feeling lingers and can affect you both mentally and physically. Work is a vitally important part of life – as a means of providing self-esteem, security and fuel, but as an activity we’ll spend some 90,000 hours of our life doing, it needs to be the right fit.

If any of the examples listed above resonate with you, then contact our team to talk about your career aspirations and see what options are out there.