Most people spend more of their valuable waking hours at work than they do anywhere else. Career satisfaction is career success. To have career satisfaction is critical that you spend your time at the right company, pursuing the right opportunity – something you want to do on your career journey. Perhaps it is time for you to consider getting a better job.
In my recent insight How to Make Yourself Indispensable at Work, I provided a quiz. If you are not interested in becoming indispensable in your job, it is a good indicator that it is time to move on to a better job before you are moved out.
Bad management does not discriminate based on salary or job title. Some Fortune 500 executives can experience more dissatisfaction and turnover than the staff at a local doughnut shop. The more demanding your job is and the less control you have over what you do, the more likely you are to suffer. A study by the American Psychological Association found that people whose work meets both these criteria are more likely to experience exhaustion, poor sleep, anxiety, and depression.
Staying in a bad job for too long can be very harmful to your career. If you’ve tried everything you can think of to make things better and haven’t seen any significant changes, it may be time to move on.” - Dr. Travis Bradberry
Choosing to leave a job can be a gut-wrenching decision. You need to know that you are making the right choice. You will want to land a better job. Everyone should have a personal development plan, where you consider your passions and your talent stack (knowledge, skills, accomplishments, wisdom and behavioral traits). What should you be working on to enhance your career journey? What's next?
We suggest that you start with a career assessment.
Research indicates that employees have three prime needs: Interesting work, recognition for doing a good job, and being let in on things that are going on in the company." — Zig Ziglar
Here is our quick quiz to help you assess the urgency in looking for a possible change.
Dr Travis Bradberry sets out some clear signs that—if you experience enough of them—suggest it's time to move on.
- The company is circling the drain. A study showed that 71 percent of small businesses close their doors by their tenth year in operation. If you’re worried about your company’s health, there’s a good chance you’re right. Watch for clues, like suddenly needing management approval for even minor expenses, an increase in closed-door meetings, or an increased number of upper-management departures. If you suspect that the business is in trouble, it may be time to leave. If you wait until the company closes, you’ll be in the job market competing against your former co-workers.
- There’s no room for advancement. It’s easy to get stuck in a job and, if you love what you’re doing, getting stuck can be comfortable. However, it’s important to remember that every position should enhance your skills and add to your value as an employee. If you’re not learning anything new and are just puttering around doing the same old thing while people around you get promotions and plum assignments, it’s time to look elsewhere.
- You’re out of the loop. Does it seem like you’re always the last one to hear about what’s going on at work? If you are left out of meetings, rarely get face time with upper management, and have never even heard of the big project everyone else is so excited about, that could mean that your bosses see you as a body filling a desk, rather than as a valuable contributor. That is terrible news for your career and may say it is time to leave.
- You know more than your boss. It’s frustrating to work for someone you believe to be less skilled or knowledgeable than you are, but the real issue is broader than that. If you can’t trust your company’s leadership to make right decisions and steer the ship in the right direction, you’ll be living in a constant state of anxiety. Moreover, if you’re right that your bosses do not know what they are doing, you could find yourself out of a job when the company goes under.
- You have a terrible boss who isn’t going anywhere. Bosses come and go, which is why conventional wisdom says that it’s best to wait a bad boss However, that’s not always the right move. If you have a bad boss who’s well-liked by upper management, it may be time to leave. In addition to making you miserable every day, a two-faced manager who’s loved by the higher ups can wreak havoc on your career by taking credit for your work, bad-mouthing you to others, and blaming you for things that go wrong.
- You dread going to work. We all get a case of the Mondays from time to time, but if even thinking about your job fills you with dread, it’s probably time to leave. Do not keep telling yourself you’re having a bad week if what you have is a job that’s a bad fit.
- You have lost your passion. Even if you love the company, your boss, and your co-workers, it’s not worth the effort if you hate the work. Passion is a necessary ingredient for success. If you’re unenthusiastic or even indifferent about the work you do, it’s time to reassess your career.
- Your health is suffering. No paycheck is worth sacrificing your health. Job stress can lead to depression, insomnia, headaches, frequent illness, and worse. Don’t let this happen to you.
- Your personal life is suffering. Whether you work too many hours, or you’re stressed and miserable when you come home, it’s time to leave when your job starts affecting your personal life.
Next Steps
If you do decide to leave to get a better job — be smart about it. Plan your next step. It is often easier to get another job when you have one. However, finding the right job is a job. I have posted many insights to help on your career journey. Also, please consider:
- Are you prepared to spend 10-15 hours per week in your job search?
- Do you know what roles need your talent stack?
- What is your ideal job?
- What are the gaps in your talent stack and those needed for your ideal position?
- What is your ideal boss?
- Are you willing to relocate?
- Is there anything on your social media that a future employer may find offensive?
Never burn bridges by venting about all the reasons you are leaving. That accomplishes nothing. People remember the last impression they have of you more than the first impression. It could even haunt you later. Instead, just explain that you are leaving to pursue another opportunity, and then do so graciously.
Still curious to learn more about getting a better job?
Let us know! We are incredibly passionate about Behavioral DNA and the impact this scientific insight can have on you. Using SuccessFinder, you can discover your behavioral strengths and challenges.
High performers in each role share a common subset of behaviours. Our talent analytics compares your talent stack — behavioural traits and competencies — with high performers. We show you how to use these powerful analytics to achieve career satisfaction and success.
Focus on your strengths and manage your challenges. We include both in your development plan. You complete the assessment online, we then provide you report and personal feedback via video call. We offer the service worldwide. We’d love to hear from you!
Challenge — What's Right For You?
Solution - Leverage Your Talent Stack — Build Your Career Capital
Identify your unique behavioral strengths, build your career capital and leverage your unique talent stack for lifetime success.
- Grow your leadership potential by targeting your key developmental needs
- Determine your key career success factors, allowing for more focused efforts
- Discover your best and most successful career direction
- Find out about your strengths and interests in different career areas
Knowing yourself is the first step to being happy. And staying happy is an ongoing process of regrounding your long-term goals within your current objectives. When those align, you’re on the path to a job you can adore. Know when to find a better job as your best option may be to fall in love with your job (again) We also offer a personal development plan to help you achieve career success and satisfaction.
