For one, you should always follow your gut. If you deeply hate your job, then you should absolutely start looking for other opportunities. If you’re on the fence, then you should open your eyes to feelings, thoughts, and happenings in your life that might point to the exit sign.
Warning Signals You Should Leave Your Job
1. You Dread Going to Work
Do you go to sleep every night dreading the next day of work? While it’s normal to have qualms about the work day, if you truly, deeply dread those eight or so hours at the office, it is time to put in your two weeks’ notice.
2. You’re Procrastinating More Than You’re Actually Working
Everyone procrastinates on occasion, but if there’s nothing you find engaging about your day-to-day work, you should consider whether your current position is really a good fit for you. There should be at least some part of your job that is more interesting than scrolling Facebook or browsing BuzzFeed.
3. It’s Taking a Toll on Your Health
Are your sick days adding up out of the blue? Are you taking as much time off as you can possibly get? Are you resorting to a few (or many) glasses of wine each night to get over a bad day at work? Are you working so many hours you have no time to exercise, eat healthily, or get enough sleep? No job is worth sacrificing your wellness.
4. You Vent About Your Job Too Much
Think about your most common conversations with friends and family members. Are you constantly complaining about co-workers, about your workplace, or about your job itself?
5. You’re Overqualified
There are times when we have to take subpar jobs just to get by, but if you’re in a job that you are overqualified for, don’t accept feeling stuck. Stay on alert for positions that fit your skills, which will likely feel more fulfilling than a job that doesn’t measure up to your level of expertise.
6. There’s No Room for Advancement
Don’t spend too much time in a position that doesn’t offer opportunities for growth. Committing your time and energy to a company that won’t support the progress of your career, or grow with you, will end up hindering the development of your career in the long run. If you’re wondering whether you have stayed too long at your job, it might be time to take a look at moving on.
7. The Work Environment Is Negative
A negative environment is toxic. It’s hard to feel happy, or even content, in the workplace if your co-workers are constantly complaining and your boss is persistently unhappy. Moreover, a pessimistic atmosphere can even kill the passion you have for your career choice. If you find yourself in one, it’s time to get out and find a workplace culture that’s a better fit for you.
8. You’re Being Recruited by Other Companies
Are headhunters reaching out to you? If you’re feeling unhappy with your current work environment and there are ample opportunities for another role available, take that as a green light to move on.
9. The Company Culture Isn’t a Good Fit for You
If you crave a flexible, work-from-home environment, but you’re stuck at a traditional nine-to-five job, you will probably never be satisfied no matter how much you like other aspects of your position. If you’ve tried—and failed—to negotiate a schedule that works for you, consider jobs at other companies with a culture that will accommodate your preferred lifestyle.
10. You Can’t Speak up at Your Job
You should feel confident and comfortable enough at work to voice your opinion, share your thoughts, and speak up for yourself. An oppressive environment just isn’t worth putting up with.
11. Your Job Doesn’t Speak to You
Career-changers are becoming more and more common in this day and age, and you shouldn’t feel stuck on a career path that you don’t connect with. If you’ve lost your passion for your job, open your mind to other opportunities that do speak to you, and start moving in a direction that you genuinely feel passionate about. These warning signs will help you determine if your career needs a makeover.
12. You Find Yourself Justifying Your Job
“Well, the pay sucks and my boss is a jerk, but my benefits are okay.” “My co-workers are nasty and condescending, but at least my salary is decent.““I don’t make any money but at least there are free coffee and snacks in the office.”
If there’s more to complain about than to praise, know that you can find a job that offers more positive than negative, and you should get ready to start looking for it.
13. You’re Reading This Article
Why did you click on, or search for, this article? Something must have resonated with you. If you’re already contemplating quitting your job, that alone is a sign that it is indeed time to move on.
Before You Quit
If you read this article and recognized several of these warning signs, it may be time to quit. But there are some times when you shouldn’t leave right away. If at all possible, be strategic: It is nearly always better to quit a job after you have said yes to a job offer. That’s because it’s typically easier to land a new job when you still have your old one.
