10 Signs It’s Time To Find a New Job

01 Nov, 20231-2 minutes

In this blog:: Job Search Tips

In this blog, you will learn

10 signs it's time to find a new job.
Why it’s important to recognise you need a new job.
How to find and apply for the best jobs.

November is Career Development Month, a time to emphasise the significance of career planning, training and development. It aims to educate, inspire and empower individuals to consider their professional growth and shines a light on goals, expectations and career exploration.

Career Development Month aims to empower individuals to take charge of their career journey and provides a platform for career professionals seeking to enhance their career prospects.

There can be many reasons to leave your current job and signs it’s time to start looking for a new career. Whether you’re unhappy, unfulfilled or seeking a career change, there are many valid personal and professional reasons to leave a job.

It isn't just about career success, it’s also important to consider your mental wellbeing and if your job is negatively impacting you. Throughout this blog, we explore how to recognise if it’s time to leave your job and embark on a new career journey.

10 signs it's time to find a new job

10 common signs that it's time to quit your job include:

It’s no longer encouraging your growth
You are underusing your skills
Constantly feeling stressed
There are no opportunities for growth
The company's future is in question
Your values don’t align with the organisations
You need a better work-life balance
You dread going to work
You’ve achieved what you set out to achieve
Unhealthy environment/toxic culture

1. It’s no longer encouraging your growth

You might find you are part of a company that isn’t encouraging your professional development or offering any services that keep you actively learning. At some point, every job ceases to challenge you and be a source of growth.

If there seems to be no plans for the future development of your career then you might need to look for reinvention or challenge elsewhere. If you’ve suggested training to develop your skills or asked for a promotion, but your efforts have been rejected, it’s a sign that your goals are not in line with the company you work for.

2. You are underusing your skills

If you find that your skills or talent aren’t being used to their full advantage, it could be a sign that you need to find a new job. When you’ve outgrown your company or your position, you can feel useless or less useful than you once did.

The 2023 CIPD study found that 33% of workers are bored in their current role. It isn’t a matter of people disengaging, or being lazy, it’s about individuals not being able to relate to the aims of the organisation and feeling uninspired.

If your job is holding you back and not utilising your skills, this disengagement can reduce productivity, encouraging dissatisfaction and a lack of motivation.

3. Constantly feeling stressed

Being constantly stressed at work can be an indication that it’s time to find a new job. The workload might be too much, you could be understaffed, or troubles at home are being amplified when combined with work induced stress.

If you experience stress at work on a daily basis it could lead to burnout and overwhelming feelings of incompetence or exhaustion. If you can't manage the demands at work or you want to beat stress, it might be time to find a low-stress job or reduce daily work-related stressors.

4. There are no opportunities for growth

It’s important not to let your current job stunt your career growth. You might find yourself stuck in a rut with no opportunities for progression. The majority of employees want to feel appreciated, be rewarded for good work or advance their skills, but if those opportunities aren’t available, you might find other jobs that prioritise your learning and development.

5. The company's future is in question

Answer honestly, where do you see your current company going? If the answer to that question doesn’t align with your future plans or you have doubts about the company’s direction, it could be a sign to find a new job. If you would be happy in the same position at another company, then it could be beneficial to look elsewhere.

6. Your values don’t align with the organisations

Having the same values as your work organisation is essential to understand what is expected of you. Knowing what the company cares about provides a common purpose for you to work and live by.

However, if you don’t share the same values this could affect your performance and enthusiasm. If this is the case, your passion and performance could be reignited if you were to move elsewhere.

7. You need a better work-life balance

Poor work-life balance and overworking can have a negative affect on your work life and self-care. Perhaps it’s time to find a job with a better work-life balance which encourages and supports healthy activities for the body and mind e.g. free gym membership or wellness days.

If a balance isn’t achievable or encouraged at your current job, you might benefit from looking for a company that does prioritise your mental health.

8. You dread going to work

Your mental health can be greatly affected by working in a job that you don’t like or that you dread going to. You want a workplace that supports you and allows you to feel engaged, passionate and enthusiastic.

If you dread going to work, you may find that you are no longer passionate about it, feel overwhelmed or even that your job is making you depressed. Your feelings about work can negatively affect your performance as well as your personal relationships, social life and mental health.

9. You’ve achieved what you set out to achieve

If you don’t see yourself staying with your current company long term, then you may have achieved what it is you wanted to do. Perhaps your intended goal was to get first hand experience within a sector, or you wanted to start your own business, or you wanted to establish your brand, obtain a leadership position or improve your skills.

Whatever the reason, if you’ve completed your goals, there is reason to move on and set your sights higher.

10. Unhealthy environment/toxic culture

Workspaces with colleagues who shout at you, insult or ignore you, or where you are working to the point of physical collapse should inspire you to seek something new (if not pursue more serious action). Some workplaces are toxic and consistent exposure to toxicity can be harmful to your physical and mental health. If you find yourself in that position, it’s definitely time to move on!

Why it’s important to recognise that you need a new job

It is important to give yourself a chance to experience new challenges and opportunities to help you advance your career and develop as a professional.

Changing positions or jobs could lead you back to career enjoyment especially if you have been stressed or dissatisfied at work for a long time.

As an added bonus, the average salary increase for an employee who acquires a new job is estimated between 10% and 20%.

How to find a new job

If you are ready for a new job, it’s time to start planning your next move. Once you've made the decision to leave your job, it can be daunting to know where to start.

A good place to start is researching creative job search tips, particularly if you’re searching for a job in a competitive or crowded job market. Thinking outside of the box will improve your chances of securing a new position.

If you’re leaving your job for mental health reasons, it’s important to take the time to recuperate and reassess your situation.

Here is a quick check-list of things to do during your job search:

Figure out what you want to do and how you want your career to progress.
Update your CV.
Register to a recruitment agency who can connect you with job opportunities in your field.
Polish your online presence such as updating your LinkedIn profile.
Tailor your CV to each position you apply for.
Network on LinkedIn or at industry events.
Set up job alerts to be notified when relevant jobs which match your criteria become available.
Prepare for any interviews which you might get invited to.

If you’re searching for a new role, why not visit our job page to take a look at the latest opportunities? Alternatively, upload your CV and one of our experienced consultants will contact you when a relevant opportunity becomes available.

If you’re struggling to fill a role, why don’t you give us a call on 01772 954200 to see how we can help? One of our consultants will be happy to listen to the challenges which you are facing and advise on the best possible solution for you.

Who is Spencer Clarke Group?

Since 2017, we’ve been innovating the recruitment industry beyond matching the perfect candidate to the perfect job. We’re passionate about finding candidates a job that has the ability to boost their salary, better their work life balance and improve their mental health.

No matter what stage individuals are at in their career, we’re determined to shape a brighter, more fulfilling future for all.

We operate in two sectors:

Private Sector

Public Sector

In eleven specialisms:

Accountancy & Finance

Education & SEND

Construction, Trades & Labour

Healthcare, Social Care & Nursing

Housing

Corporate Functions & Business Support

HR & Workforce Development