Feeling stuck, bored, or miserable in your current job?
No job will be exciting and challenging ALL the time.
However, there are situations where it is better to look for a new job:
- Skill stagnation – You need to make sure you are growing continuously in your job. If you feel like you are simply re-applying your current skills and not learning new things that can grow your career, it’s time to start looking for a job that will allow you to do that.
- Progression stagnation– Sometimes you will get stuck in a situation where you get passed over for promotion more than once. If you have demonstrable results at work and have asked for a promotion, then you should rightfully expect one. If the company is unable to give you one for any reason, it is time to look out.
- Evolving expectations – Careers and ambitions are constantly changing and evolving. The career path that seemed right to you 5 years ago may no longer suit you. If on introspection you realise that there is a mismatch between the job you have and your long-term ambition, it is better to look out for a job that matches your goals.
- Bad work culture – Company culture is usually the net result of all the behaviours the management is willing to tolerate. In some companies, the work culture could be so bad that there is no point in you trying to make it better.
- Lack of career planning – Your company may or may not have an organized career planning process. If it doesn’t, you should try and take charge of your career progression, talking to your boss and the HR team about your vision for your career. But if you are not getting any support from the company, it is time to take more drastic measures.
Always give a sincere attempt to resuscitate your career within the current company BEFORE you genuinely start to look out.
