Not every job is meant to last forever, even if at some point you thought it was the perfect job for you.
Like relationships, it can take a while to find the one that fits best, and in the meantime there will be a few that just don’t work out.
If you’re currently sitting at your desk, unsure whether you’re in the right place, we’re here to help.
Here are five ways to tell you’re ready for a new job:
1- YOU’RE BORED OUT OF YOUR MIND
While you may not want to feel out of your league, if you’re so bored at work that the most exciting part of your day is checking Facebook or tweeting about the new shoes you want to buy, you could be in need of something more challenging.
We understand that things are slow if you’re just learning the ropes or if you’re in between projects, but if you feel like you could accomplish all of your daily tasks blindfolded and with one hand tied behind your back, it’s time to start updating your resume.
2- YOU HAVE NO LIFE OUTSIDE OF WORK
Work gets busy for all of us, and there are times when everyone is expected to take on extra tasks or pitch in to finish up something on a tight deadline.
But if you can’t remember the last time you prayed, worshipped, or picked up your Bible to read or the last time you saw your friends, family, or church family, you might want to consider looking for a less consuming job.
It’s great to want to throw yourself into work, especially if you love what you’re doing, but not having any life outside of the office is unhealthy and can eventually cause more stress and anxiety than it’s worth.
3- YOU’RE IN A BAD MOOD – ALL THE TIME
One of the biggest red flags when it comes to knowing whether you should leave your current job is how happy you are.
We all have bad days and there are always aspects of every job (even the ones you love) that leave something to be desired. But if you’re walking around miserable, dreading going into work and loathing every minute that you’re there, maybe it’s time to start looking elsewhere.
Being miserable 8 hours a day, 40 hours a week is not acceptable where quality of life is concerned. If you’re that unhappy in your job, pray about it, and start working toward finding a better one.
4- YOU’RE UNDERUTILIZED
It can be very frustrating to know that you have skills that would benefit your employer but you’re not being given a chance to use them.
If that’s the case, ask for some one-on-one time with your boss or supervisor and explain you’d like to be given more responsibility.
If no one takes you seriously, and you’re still relegated to menial tasks, it may be time to move on. If you don’t, you’ll just resent your workplace even more.
5- NO ROOM TO GROW
The problem with some jobs is that as much as you like what you’re doing and who you work with, there’s just no room to move up.
That might be OK for a while, but what happens when you’re itching to do more and expand or better use your skills?
If you’re already at the top of where you can go in your company but have started to crave something more, look at your current job as a stepping stone and resume-builder rather than somewhere you have to stay for good.
If you’re not feeling challenged, you’re just going to end up feeling unhappy.
It can be hard to leave a regular paycheck, but if your sanity is at stake, switching jobs is a risk well worth taking!
