Is It Time to Move on to a New Opportunity?



You’ve been working in your current position with your current employer for a while now, a tenure between six months and five years. Your current employer treats you well enough, and your salary and benefits are in line with expectations for your industry and geographic area. But you’re starting to get a little restless. There’s nothing driving you out of your chair – no toxic workplace concerns, ethical problems or bad behavior from your boss – but you can’t help but wonder if there’s something better out there. Is it time to move on? Here are a few signs to look out for.

Do you still have more to learn from this place?

Feeling anxious about your work performance isn’t necessarily a reason to leave. If you feel like you should know more or perform at a higher level, it’s possible another job might provide better mentoring and training opportunities. But there’s also a chance you haven’t fully explored the resources available with your current company. Extend yourself a bit and find out if, for example, your employer offers a tuition reimbursement program that might allow you take courses for free. Maybe seminar and conference opportunities are available to you that you haven’t yet explored.

Do you have a clear path to advancement?

Do you see a clear opportunity available at least one level above your current role? If so, it’s time to start pursuing that opportunity. A feeling of restlessness is a sign it’s time to move, but if you can step up without leaving your current company, take that action before you depart altogether. If you don’t see a path to advancement or an open position above you, start heading for the door.

Do you feel exploited?

Your boss may not be abusive (if you’re being abused, it’s definitely time to leave), but you may be feeling as though your employer is gaining more from this relationship than you’re getting in return. This may be true if 1) you haven’t received a three-to-four percent annual raise; 2) you have been passed over for a promotion; or 3) you’ve received pushback when you’ve tried to take your PTO time or asked for the resources you need to do your job. If your employer takes a mile every time you offer an inch, something’s wrong, and this relationship isn’t sustainable over the long term. Seek a position where your hard work is appreciated and compensated properly.

Have you lost your motivation?

Sometimes when you lose your passion for your work, it’s not your work that’s the problem – it’s your workplace. A change of venue can be a breath of fresh air.

When it’s time to leave, trust your instincts. If you need support as you search for your new position, turn to the career management pros at Extension.

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Date published
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02/06/2020