Signs that It May Be Time to Move On
Dread going to work? Worried you’re going to lose your job? Feeling burned out or left out at the office? How do you know when the trouble is just a little blip you’ll soon get past, or when it’s time to dust off your resume and start perusing job postings?
Check out these signs that you might want to consider leaving your job:
You dread going to work. Sunday evening blues are normal. But if you truly dread the approach of Monday, it might be time for you to consider leaving your job.
You feel like you’re in the wrong place. If you spend your time daydreaming about the job you really want to have, maybe it’s time to leave your job.
You lose your passion. While a degree of boredom with mundane tasks is expected and normal, be alert for the loss of the passion you once had.
You are bored. If your role no longer stimulates your intellect or excites you, and if this has been going on for a long time, you should consider the possibility of leaving your job.
You find out you’re paid far less than others. This one is an absolute deal breaker for most people. If employees who have similar responsibilities in your company are making a lot more than you are, you are not valued.
You have boss problems. Your boss is a micromanager, doesn’t respect you, doesn’t appreciate your work, overworks you, or hasn’t given you a raise for a couple of years.
Bad things are afoot. Your company loses its biggest client, or is involved in very public litigation (think an Enron-style bankruptcy/corruption), or there is a major scandal that’s all over the news. Any of these things mean loss of revenue and decreased profitability.
You lose your best advocate. Transfers, layoffs, and retirements all can change the landscape of who’s in your corner.
Rumors of layoffs. Although you need to take information that comes via the gossip mill with a BOX of salt, rumors are generally rooted in some truth.
You’ve been put on a performance improvement plan (PIP). It sounds nice. A performance “improvement” plan. The reality is that being put on a PIP is almost always a prelude to termination. If you’re put on a PIP, you need to start looking for a new role immediately.
All of your work is given to the new kid. It’s a big red flag if your job duties are transferred to someone else. Probably to someone cheaper.
The work you do can easily be automated. If that’s the case, it’s usually just a matter of time before your company decides that a machine can do your job for less money. Not only should you consider leaving your job, but you must also actively work to develop skills that are in demand and are not automatable.
The Bottom Line
Even if your boss is horrible, or your company doesn’t respect you, it’s crucial that you make a classy exit when you decide to leave your job. When you make the decision to resign, tell your manager first. Ideally, this should be a face-to-face meeting, but if that’s not possible, a phone conversation or virtual meeting will do. Do not resign via text (I have people ask me about this all the time). After your conversation with your manager, follow up with an email detailing your exit plan. Always offer at least 2 weeks’ notice. Fulfill your remaining obligations to the best of your ability. The way you leave your job reflects more on you than it does on your employer or your boss, so do so gracefully.