No matter how much you want it to work, how hard you try or how many hours you put in – if the job you’re in just isn’t right for you (anymore) – it’s time to move on. It may have been the right job at one time, but things change for ourselves and for the companies we work for. A crucial career skill is to be able to recognise when these changes happen and be able to know the signals that it’s time to move on. Preferably, before you reach a career crisis or feel that you’re being about as productive as if you’ve been bashing your head against a brick wall. The trick is to know when it’s time to go – before you hurt yourself or the wall. Career moves can also be initiated by positive opportunities that come your way. You need to be able to recognise the positive signs just as much as the negative ones. The ability to know when it’s time to move on requires you to make sure that you’re radar is on and that you are receptive – so that you recognise when things are changing or when opportunities present themselves. Some of the signals to be on the lookout for are:
Organisational change, Restructures and Management Changes
These all provide new possibilities. New or project roles are often created in times of change or vacancies are created when someone moves as part of a restructure. Plug into your network to find out what is going on so that you can let people know that you are interested in the opportunities that might be coming up.
A bad boss
Regularly cited as the number one reason by people of why they leave a job. You wouldn’t walk out the first time you have a disagreement, but if over time you realise that working for a particular manager does not support you personally or your career aspirations – this can be a very clear sign to move on.
Cost cutting
Significant cost cutting can be a sign that a business is under pressure. This may be a forerunner to job losses. It might not mean that your job is at risk, but it’s something to be aware of and may indicate that it’s time for you to develop some alternative options.
Bad behaviours
Like cost cutting, if you find the managers in your company are being short-tempered or acting more stressed than usual – this can be a sign that the business is not performing or that change is on its way. Stick up your antenna and ask around to see if others know more.
New or lost customer contracts
Even if you are not in an area of the business that deals directly with customers, their win or loss by your company can have an impact on you. New customers can lead to the creation of new roles; lost customers can mean down-sizing in a business.
Opportunities are discussed with you!
It can seem fairly obvious that an opportunity is available if you get a call to discuss it. Sometimes, however, the approach might be quite subtle to ‘sound you out’. Don’t treat calls to ask “if you know someone who might be interested” or to have a chat with you about changes in the business as an interruption. Have your radar up, antenna on; recognise the signals to move on. And most importantly – act when the time is right – for you!
