In an ideal world, you would love your career. You would wake up every morning, raring to go, excited for another day at work.
In reality, I think a lot of us probably feel slightly less enthusiastic about going to work every day, especially on these cold, dark mornings.
If you love your career and really feel fulfilled everyday, then all I can say is congratulations and don’t ever leave.
If you outright hate your career, it’s time to move on. Don’t get yourself down everyday going to a job you hate.
If you’re not sure, some days you love it, other days you hate it, read on for 5 signs you’re ready to move on:
Your Career: 5 Signs You May Be Ready To Move On
If, by the end of this list, you feel ready to move on, before you start thinking of other career options, first ask yourself if it’s truly your career that’s getting you down, or if it’s the company you currently work for. If you love the role itself but hate the company, why not think about a sideways move – stick with a job you love, but in a new environment.
1. You dread going to work every day
We all have those off days where we would love to pull the duvet over our heads and not go into work. If you feel like that every day, or the thought of going to work fills you with a sense of dread or panic, it’s time to move on.
2. You don’t feel challenged
If you career is starting to bore you it may be time to move on. Before you make the leap, if you love the company, talk to your boss. Maybe there is an additional project you could take on to make your role a bit more interesting, or maybe you could become involved in a mentoring scheme, to add an extra dimension to your role.
Maybe it’s time to move to the next level. Have a look for internal promotions if you don’t want to leave your current company.
3. You feel undervalued
When you are at work, don’t expect a pat on the back for every little thing you do, it’s not school – no one will be impressed because you showed up. However, if you always go the extra mile and get no thanks for it (and I don’t necessarily mean a pay rise, sometimes just someone saying thank you is more than enough), maybe it’s time to start looking for another place to work where you would be appreciated.
4. You regularly find yourself picking up everyone else’s mistakes
This is a tricky one. I often find it’s easier to do something myself than to ask someone else to do it. If you are also one of those people, then maybe the problem lies with the fact no one else knows what they are supposed to be doing. If you think it could be this, sit back a little. Show people how to fix their mistakes so they know for next time rather than just doing it for them.
If you’ve tried that and everything still falls to you (especially when it’s the job of someone who gets paid more than you), then you might be getting took advantage of. If you love your career and the company and you don’t want to leave, it is worth having an off the record chat with the person who should be doing the work correctly in the first place.
If it still doesn’t improve, it’s time to either make it official or move on.
5. It’s not your dream job
It’s easy to take on a job as a stop gap, something to make a bit of money on while you search for the dream. Then you look around one day and realise you got comfortable, and you’ve been there ten years.
It’s time to chase the dream again. The beauty of this is you can truly chase the dream. You can search for as long as you want and only apply for things you really want because you have the safety net. You can research and complete any relevant training while still having an income source.
Some people would say while you have a safety net, you won’t be as motivated to look for the job you really want. Personally, I think motivation comes down to how badly you want it. I think by leaving your current job you’re more likely to settle again because of the fear of not having an income source.
If you feel you are ready to move on, either to advance your career or to change it altogether, pop back next week. Starting Monday I will be published posts on job searches, CV and cover letter writing and interview techniques.
Do you love your career or do you feel it is time to move on? If you could do any job you wanted, what would it be? Let me know in the comments 🙂
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I do love my job at a teacher (although I’m in temporary retirement to be a SAHM) but I get so cross with school politics and bad management. Especially when it effects the children. I’d love to do something more but can never work out what. I’m hoping once I return to work I’ll have more of an idea. In the meantime I’m really enjoying my career break. #KCACOLS
I know what you mean. Being a teacher should be about encouraging children to learn, and to want to learn, but I imagine in this day and age its more about politics and political correctness. It’s a shame when a job that used to be so rewarding has got people feeling this way about it. Good luck with your next step and I hope you enjoy the rest of your break 🙂
I go through periods like this, especially in the winter when I don’t want to leave my little babies and the summer when I stare out the window and everyone is sunbathing. Hmm i think I am just going through a stage when I want to be with my children but we just have t muddle through right 🙂 Great read thanks.
Yeah, I think if you would feel that way about any job it’s probably not the job you hate. I’m the same, when I’m at work I’m just thinking about all the better things I could be doing with my time, but as jobs go, it could be a lot worse! Thanks 🙂
I grouch about my current job but, for the most part, I really enjoy it. A few years back I was in a job I hated, and the whole situation was awful. It was making me really ill with the stress of it and in the end I just had to leave without anything to go into. I’m glad I did though! x #KCACOLS
I think you did the right thing – if it gets to the point where your job is affecting your health, it’s not worth staying there. x
These are great tips to follow.
I used to love my job, but after a few years, I started to dread going in. I saw work in a completely different light and I realised that I wasn’t challenged in any way and didn’t really feel valued. This was the same for many colleagues.
I then fell pregnant, which made my decision to leave easier. I don’t ever regret leaving!
Laura xx
#KCACOLS
Thank you 🙂 When you feel that way, it’s time to make the jump. I’m glad you did and that you’re happy with your decision. x
After 10 years, I’m experiencing all five. Funnily enough, I’ve been thinking these past few months that it may be time to move on!
If you’re unhappy, its definitely time to move on!
I loved my career, but circumstances made it impossible for me to continue teaching. I have experienced a few of these while working a retail job that I had in high school through college. Not fun. Life’s too short to spend your time doing something that you dislike. If you get nothing positive out of your job at all, then it’s time to move on. #AnythingGoes
That’s a shame, when you love your job I think you really miss it if circumstances mean you have to leave. I think if I worked in retail I would strangle someone! At least as a bar tender I can talk to people as they talk to me!
When I worked as a Developmental Specialist, all five of those things mentioned above fit the bill. I hated the company though. I didn’t like the way they treated their employees. They expected so much for so little pay. My boss went out of her way to make me feel unwanted and unneeded at work. I did get to the point that my anxiety was really high. I dreaded going to work every day. Not even the half hour drive to work (I loved the drive) could help me prepare for the day. By the end of a long day I was so mentally checked out that I didn’t spend much time with my kids, even on the weekends. That’s when I knew I needed to leave. When a career interferes with my relationship with my kids, that’s where I put my foot down and find a different way! This is a great post Debbie! #anythinggoes
That sounds like an awful company to work for, I’m so glad you got out of there. I don’t understand how so many people in management still think treating people like crap is the way to get them to perform. It stands to reason if you feel valued you will be more likely to work hard for them. Thank you 🙂
When I’m there it’s ok when I’m not I have moments of doubt. It is difficult as an expat as the opportunities for new positions or different ones aren’t as great and it’s hard to walk away from the financial stability of a full contract!
I imagine its a lot harder finding something new in your situation. I know what you mean about the financial stability, I don’t think I’d be brave enough to walk away from a job if I didn’t have another one lined up!
Totally agree we sometimes put our dreams on pause while we earn some pennies then end up in a routine. Don’t think I need to guve up my day job just yet… but you never know! #AnythingGoes
When I left college I put off going to uni for a year to take a job (and it was only a job, not a career option) and make a bit of money first. I never did go to uni because I got comfortable doing what I was doing so I know what you mean about that.
I am one of those lucky people who does what they love. I get a huge amount of satisfaction from my job, the hours are low enough to not put a strain on my mental health and my boss is one of my oldest friends from school. #Anythinggoes
That’s great, I think when you love your job, you are so much more productive at work 🙂 That sounds like an ideal situation!
I think you have nailed it! Those five points are so important. My job is being a SAHM & blogger which I’m loving – happily 🙂 It’s a nice feeling to be happy with what I am doing. #anythinggoes x
Thank you 🙂 Good to know you are happy with what you are doing. I’m sure as a sahm you have moments where you feel some of these signs but the hugs, kisses and “I love yous” make it worthwhile 🙂 x
Excellent timing as work is restructuring at the moment. Whilst I hope not to need them, resources are always useful to have on hand 🙂
It’s always good to know your options, even when you are totally happy in your job. I hope the restructuring doesn’t affect you, or affects you in a good way 🙂
I felt like this about my job before I left to have the children. I was a teaching assistant and I’ll be honest with you, I just don’t have the patience for it!! Other peoples children are hard work! I wouldn’t go back to that career now, I’m still not sure which path I will take but for now I’m happy staying at home, writing my blog and praying for a lottery win! #anythinggoes
I would be the same – I don’t know how teachers and teaching assistants do it without yelling and screaming all day long! Good luck for that lottery win 🙂
Yes, yes and yes!!! This is so true and I have heard the two sides of having the safety net as well! I’m not sure which one would hold true? I guess everyone would be different. Someone said that you needed the “hunger” to get the job you want! But desperation can be mistaken for hunger, sometimes. Thanks for hosting!
In theory, I like the idea of not having that safety net. In reality, unless you have a lot of savings that you are willing to live on, I think the danger is you would take another job that didn’t necessarily suit your needs because anything is better than nothing if you have no income.
Does anyone really have their “dream Job” outside of a very lucky few? I’ve been at the same place almost 25 years now and have seen it changed dramatically several times. There have been periods I’ve loved going there, others when I hated it. In the end I never thought of a place or career I can be sure I’d like better, so here I stay. Not very bold, but I pay my bills
My dream job would be as a writer and I do that for free lol 🙂 If you can’t think of a place you’d like better, then it’s probably a case of better the devil you know!
I shared this because I think most people never see these signs and then they become irritable and bitter in their jobs. Great post #AnythingGoes
Thank you 🙂 Yes, I totally agree – it can be easy to slip into a rut without even realising why!
Great post! I think I have all these signs.. I just applied for the job as temporary before but I ended up here for almost 5 years now. I’ve enjoyed it but it’s not my dream job. I struggle to get other job that would suit with my husbands work schedule and ideal for my kids childcare too. #AnythingGoes
It can be hard finding a job you love that also has the flexibility you need, but its always worth keeping an eye out. You don’t have to make the jump until something that fits both comes up 🙂
I’m a Teaching Assistant and i have to say the only one i agree with is number 4! But i think that is because i am fussy and like things neat and organised while others don’t think along the same lines as me lol! #anythinggoes
Sounds like you’ve got a job you truly love 🙂 I’m the same, I spend time at work organising things that technically didn’t need organising I just didn’t like them so messy!
Changing careers is such a difficult thing. I went to school for accounting. I didn’t finish. I hated it, to be honest. I wished so many times that I had went with English creative writing. Everyone kept telling me to go for something that made money. But what’s the point when you hate it? LOL I’ve had a couple jobs since then that weren’t too bad, but I still struggle with my novels because I don’t feel adequate in my knowledge to make a cohesive piece of work. So guess who’s going back to school soon? 🙂
It is difficult, but it’s true what they say – nothing worth having is easy! I think you did the right thing not finishing the course, it seems pointless if you already hated it! Good luck with your course and your future novels 🙂 So good to hear you are following your dream!
Good advice. Apparently, people who stick with one career are rare these days. I want to go into a different profession than I used to be in when I return to work. Also had the not really the job, but the place thing before! #anythinggoes
Thank you 🙂 Yes I think it is quite rare for someone to start work and stay in that job for their whole working lives these days. Good luck with finding something new you love when you return 🙂
My current job I love, but the jobs I had before my career change I hated. I was so miserable and felt sick on a Sunday evening. Life is too short to be unhappy. LOVE that you are doing posts on helping with the dreaded job hunting. #AnythingGoes
I’m glad you are happy in your latest job, it is awful when a job makes you feel sick at the thought of going to it. Thank you 🙂
You’re so right on every single point. It’s important to be happy, isn’t it? I’m at my most productive when I’m happy, settled and comfortable! Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday Xx
Thank you 🙂 I agree, happiness is so important and we all spend so much time at work, it’s important to be happy in our jobs. Thanks for hosting, I’ll be there x
This is a great introductory post, I’m really looking forward to reading the rest of the series and what fantastic information you have to offer 🙂 #AnythingGoes
Thank you, I hope you enjoy the series 🙂
I experienced these all before I went on maternity leave. Never going back was the best thing I did. Thanks for linking up to #justanotherlinky xx
Life’s too short to be stuck in a job you hate, well done for not going back 🙂 Thanks for hosting x
I know what you mean. I have felt like that in the past and it is not nice at all. I’m a lawyer and always felt happy and proud of being one but when I moved to this country I had to convert everything that I studied which involved another 6 years of my life in order to be a qualified solicitor. I wasn’t enjoying things anymore and I wasn’t getting any younger either so I only managed to get 2 years done as also I had my girls and things were not the same. I got redundant and then I became a SAHM. I love being around my girls and see them grow. Last year I started blogging and now I’m very serious about it. I’m so happy to call it my job. I really love it and it is a pleasure to do something that you love! I’m now finally in the correct place I think. 🙂 xx
#anythinggoes
It’s such a shame you were made to feel that way due to red tape. I love the idea of being a lawyer but I guess the reality is very different. I’m glad you were brave enough to walk away and find your true passion 🙂 x