We all must do things we don’t like in order to get where we want in life. Sometimes we put up with less than ideal circumstances to get our dream job. But how can you know if where you are won’t get you where you want to be? Isn’t the road to your dream job supposed to be paved in gold?
Not necessarily, but it shouldn’t require you to trudge through sewage either. Here are six signs you should get the heck out of dodge:
Your Boss is The Worst
Almost everyone in the workforce today has a story or two about a boss they’ve worked under. But when your boss begins to get so bad you dread going into work every day, maybe it’s time to move on. Most people don’t quit jobs, they quit their bosses. Since you have to spend your time with the people at work 40 hours or more each week, terrible coworkers and supervisors can make or break a job.
Try talking it out with your boss before you decide to jump ship. If you can’t stand something your boss is doing, but haven’t talked to them about it, they might not know how you’re feeling. You might feel scared to talk to your boss about potential problems, but if they can’t receive constructive feedback, you shouldn’t be working there anyways.
You’re Trapped in Your Current Position
It takes time and hard work to move up the ranks. But if you’ve been in the same position for a while, and there’s no hope of moving up the ladder, it’s time to move on. Or if you’re working at a company with nowhere to advance to, and you aren’t in your dream job yet, you might want to find other options.
Your supervisors should be giving you feedback on what you’re doing and how you can improve. This is one of the ways you’ll be able to judge how close you are to a promotion. If you haven’t heard a thing for a while, either you’re doing something wrong, or the company you’re currently working for doesn’t deserve you.
You’re Getting Complacent
You know what else happens when you get complacent? You get fat. It’s easy to stay on the couch and keep watching your favorite shows on Netflix. A body at rest will stay at rest and all that.
The same principle applies to working at a job you don’t mind. Sure, it’s easier to stay at a job that has a decent pay and doesn’t make you hate life. It definitely beats polishing up your resume, interviewing with several companies, and trying to decide what the next step on your career path looks like. But it also won’t get you any closer to reaching your dream job.
Everyone Around You is Leaving
There’s a phrase about not doing things just because other people are doing them (jumping off a cliff, anyone?). But if everyone around you is leaving, maybe there’s a reason for it. If everyone around you was running from a bear, would you run too? Chances are, you would.
If your coworkers are constantly leaving for better opportunities, then maybe you should start asking yourself why this is happening. One or two workers going off to different career opportunities is nothing to worry about. But if a pattern starts to emerge, then it’s time to consider what you’re getting from the job you’re in now.
Your Company Keeps Changing
Ingenuity helps companies keep up with their competitors and stay relevant in a market that shifts with emerging technology and customer preference. But companies who try to change as fast as a teenager’s Facebook status aren’t likely to succeed in the long run. Constant change takes time and energy away from doing the things that help a company make a profit and establish themselves as experts in their field.
If management keeps changing, or new policies arise at every meeting you attend, something is rotten in the state of Denmark. You’ll want to keep an eye out for turbulence, and keep your options open in case things continue to go south.
Your Company Couldn’t Care Less About You
It’s nice to feel appreciated when you do a good job. Granted, supervisors and higher-ups won’t always notice when you do well. But if they don’t take any notice of your hard work, or continue to expect you to perform without getting anything more than pay in return, they probably don’t care about what you do.
If your current company makes you feel like just another number, or another cog in the machine, then it doesn’t matter if you stick it out. You spend one-third or more of your day at work. You can’t be expected to be a soulless machine for that long. If you can’t remember the last time someone at your job thanked you for what you did, it’s time to return to the living, breathing people who will care about what you have to offer.
If you don’t notice any of these signs popping up at your current job, but still have a bad feeling about staying, pay attention to what your gut is trying to tell you. You don’t need to justify your career choices. It’s your life, after all.
Ready for a change? Contact us today!
