Signs That It’s Time to Move On

We are familiar with the typical job trajectory for an IT professional. The cycle begins with the employee learning the responsibilities of a new job, eventually fulfilling them without any problems, and accepting more responsibilities – perhaps in project management or team leadership. Now the employee is ready for the next project or position where they learn and contribute something new.

Along the way, however, nagging doubts creep in about whether the job really is going well. Why are you suddenly scrolling through job postings?

The Signature Recruiting team understands why it may be time to move on once you start noticing these signs about your job.

1) No Advancement

In this scenario, you remain in the same position or team long after accomplishing your goals. Infrequent opportunities to work on a new project or take more challenging roles in the organization prevent you from gaining additional technical skills and management experiences, all talents that enhance your resume, make you attractive to prospective employers, and satisfy your career ambitions.

2) No Excitement

When confined to responsibilities you can efficiently manage, excitement about your work and the company sometimes tapers off. Familiarity becomes tedious. Boredom then can morph into toxic feelings, such as frustration and resentment, toward the company, your manager, and other co-workers. That negativity can impact your performance and even your life outside the office. How much of your being anxious at home relates to being annoyed by your job?

3) No Motivation

As we discussed in the blog post Why Motivation is Fuel for a Soaring Career, a passion for excelling in your career makes you a valuable employee, but if the job is not satisfying your ambitions, then moving on is probably best. Your experiences, relationships, and talents accumulate over the years into a professional foundation that can feel unsteady or dated if under-utilized.

A note of caution: All of those feelings are common to professionals who work with one company for several years, and the first way to address them is discussing your ideas for improvement with your manager.

Think twice before searching for a new job just because of more money. Unless the salary for your position is below average in the local talent pool, jumping companies for a minimal bump up can damage relationships. You also can create a reputation as someone always looking for the next best thing. Managers are wary of this type, since the employee may provide short-term benefit but ultimately is not a reliable asset nor a good candidate for future investment.

If you are confident that your current situation will not improve, it may be time to move on. Give us a call to discuss opportunities right for you