Don’t Limit Your Ability To Be Successful

Is the Grass Greener?

Throughout your career, it isn’t unusual to feel like you may be in a rut, or it may be the right time to look for something new. However, there is usually a difference between feeling somewhat dissatisfied with your job and it actually being the right time to move on. Especially when you could potentially be in a good position to negotiate for more in your current role, how do you identify when the grass is truly going to be greener on the other side? There are actually several signs to look out for in cases when you truly have outgrown your current role versus when you’re just feeling restless. One of the biggest things to look out for is when you no longer feel challenged.

Just like personal growth, professional growth should pose a level of challenge to you, so you continue to hone your skill set. If you feel like you have hit your plateau and are no longer getting new projects, or new experiences, or are no longer growing in your position, it’s time to move on. Believe it or not, it’s not uncommon for folks to hit their professional plateau every five years. If you are starting to feel stuck in your current role and your current employer is not able to offer any room for growth, this is a perfect time to start looking for something new. Why? Because more often than not, you need a shift in your thinking and new interactions with individuals who can prove to be future mentors. This is truly no slight to your current employer, but sometimes there is a limit to what a position can offer and there can be a ceiling to how high you can get.

If growth isn’t a concern, there can be a deep dissatisfaction with your role caused by management and those you work with on a regular basis. If you are regularly clashing with your boss as well as colleagues, unfortunately, this is going to limit your ability to be successful. In cases like this though, it’s important to note that you should be reflecting on your actions and identifying if your workplace is the problem or maybe it’s time to take a long hard look in the mirror. If after this period of reflection, you are noticing that you are often being left out of crucial decisions, and people are no longer valuing your opinion, it’s truly going to be a “them” problem. Collaborative environments are critical to organizational success, regardless of what level you are at in your career. The second you feel isolated and siloed into processes where your input no longer matters, it’s time to move on.

Considering the current conditions of the industry, it’s not unusual to want to try to find something new, especially in cases when your company may have gone through rounds of layoffs or if your company has been acquired and you feel your future may be in jeopardy. Unfortunately, even in the best circumstances, if you feel like your company is setting up a chopping block, it could be a good time to get out. Even if you feel like you could be insulated from layoffs, in a market downturn, unfortunately, no one is usually safe.

Finally, there are just cases where your job is no longer a fit and you need something new to be able to be fulfilled in your career. If you wake up every day and dread going to work, it’s time to move on. There is something inherently wrong with your role at a company if you feel constantly stressed and the work you do no longer makes you happy. While it’s common to have short-term dissatisfaction with your job, if you feel like your stress level is truly unmanageable and you feel miserable more often than satisfied with what you do, it’s time to find your next step.

What Happens When It’s Time to Move On

If you have come to a place in your career where you have identified one of the issues previously mentioned, or you are simply ready to move on to something new, one of the scariest things can be determining what the next step is. So how can you identify your next opportunity and ultimately make your transition as smooth as possible?

This may be oversimplifying the process, and it may seem like a no-brainer, but take stock of your current role, and update your resume as well as your LinkedIn. Chances are you have built up a substantial skill set, as well as an even more substantial network because of your current role, and it’s time to put that to use. According to HubSpot, “85% of jobs are filled because of networking” and according to CNBC, “70% of jobs are never published publicly.” Tap into the network you have built and start putting out feelers for the next best thing. Build up your professional references and start hunting. There is a good chance you have already met someone that can provide you with your next opportunity.

If you feel discouraged before you get started, keep in mind that January and February are historically the best times to look for a new job because hiring managers have received their budgets for the upcoming year and companies have laid out what areas they need to grow in the new year. It can be tough to finally decide to make the jump to something new, but if you feel like it’s time to move on, commit to finding the next step in your career. You will come out happier in the long run.