3 Signs That It’s Time to Look for a New Job

Finding a new job can be extremely difficult, but sometimes, it’s necessary. There are a number of reasons why someone would need to start a job search, but today, we’re talking about one in particular: because you’re simply ready for a new job.

It might seem like a lot of hassle, looking for a new job without a concrete reason like getting laid off or moving. But the truth is, sometimes moving on, for the sake of moving on, is what’s best for everyone involved.

But how do you know when it’s time to pull the plug? We have three tell-tale signs that will let you know that you should start polishing your resume.

1. More often than not, you dread going to work. It’s one thing to complain about your job from time to time. It’s another to actively dread going to work every day. We’re not talking about those Monday morning blues, either; we’re talking about regular, repeated, pit-in-your-stomach dread.

These kinds of feelings about your job are not only detrimental to your happiness, they also hurt your productivity. Happy employees tend to perform better at work, so if you’re feeling disengaged or unmotivated on a regular basis, your performance is probably suffering. This is likely to discourage you more, which will make you hate your job even more—and the cycle repeats itself.

2. You feel “out of place.” This can manifest itself in a couple of different ways. First, relationships. Workplace relationships make a difference in job satisfaction. If you have a hard time connecting with your coworkers, or you’re constantly feeling like you’re not really part of the group, then you’re probably feeling unhappy with work in general. It would benefit you to try to find a job where you feel like you truly fit in.

Along those same lines, you might also feel like a misfit when it comes to company values and culture. Do you find yourself raising your eyebrows or scoffing whenever the company values are brought up? If you aren’t on board with the vision and mission of the company, you’ll feel out of place, and your morale and performance will suffer. This could be a signal that it’s time to find a company with a vision that you can really identify with—something that motivates you to work hard to make that goal a reality.

3. You’ve progressed as far as you can. There is only so far you can go with one company before you have reached your limit in terms of position and salary. If your company no longer presents a growth opportunity for you, it can be frustrating and discouraging to think: “This is as far as I’ll ever go.”

If you find yourself wanting to take your career to the next level, but you aren’t confident about your current company’s ability to provide you with that chance, that’s a sure sign that it’s time to start looking elsewhere.

Related: Crucial Components of a Successful HR Department

As difficult as it can be to find a new job, the cost of staying in a job you don’t enjoy is also high. It’s not a decision that should be made lightly, but by carefully considering your own feelings and circumstances, you should be able to make a choice that’s right for you.