10 Signs You’re Ready for a New Career

There’s a difference between dreading Monday morning and genuinely disliking a job. The former usually clears up by lunchtime, but the latter can be all-consuming.

Dread going to work lately? Feeling run down? Can’t help but think your job is going nowhere? These are all signs that you may be ready to move on to a new stage of your career.

If you’re still not sure, below we review 10 signs you're ready for a career change, and if you feel that even a few of them resonate with you, it might be time to start thinking about your next career endeavour.

#1. You have zero motivation 

Are you frequently logging on late? If so, do you care about the repercussions? Do you find yourself becoming bored or disinterested as soon as it's time to get started on your to do list? Are you constantly watching the clock?

If this sounds like you, or you're experiencing other signs of reduced motivation, it might be time to consider moving onto a more exciting venture! So many hours of our days are spent working, and although it's normal for your job to be slightly challenging, it should also bring you a sense of achievement and fulfilment. 

We also know that there's plenty of reasons as to why someone could be feeling unmotivated, like health or personal problems. So, ask yourself how you would feel if you were to remove yourself from your current workplace, would this make a difference to your quality of life?

Asking yourself these questions will help pinpoint where your feelings are coming from, helping you make the best decision to suit your life long-term. 

#2. You're always ill

Stress, particularly workplace stress, can take it's toll on the body.

If you’re constantly run down, or often not feeling like yourself, it could be your body’s way of telling you that you need to slow down and re-evaluate. 

Workplace stress can include insomnia, skin problems, weight changes and feelings of panic and anxiety. If you think your job is impacting your health, whether physical or mental, it's important to speak to someone in the workplace that you trust, like your manager or a colleague.

Give yourself a time limit, whether this be a month, or three, and if you aren't taken seriously or nothing has changed in that time frame, it might be time to consider looking for new roles.

Either way, you’ll thank yourself in the long run, as your health always comes first. 

#3. You're already looking elsewhere 

While it's completely normal to keep up to date with those who are hiring in your industry, what the relevant and up to date skills are or check recruitment sites every so often, if you're actively searching for other jobs and opportunities then you’ve probably already mentally checked out of work.

If you’re already thinking about your next move, then you’re unlikely to be completely focused on the work you're producing in your role right now, which leaves room for silly mistakes and errors. This, in turn, could have a negative impact on you and your reputation as an employee, as well as your manager and employer.

To this end, if you've decided it's time to move on, try and commit to the change as much as possible. Dedicate your personal time during the evenings and weekends to finding a new role, as quickly as possible.

We know finding a new job is difficult, and takes time and plenty of consistency. However, utilising your own time will not only help keep you out of trouble, but will reduce split focus during the day, while you're still employed at your current company.

Additionally, you're likely to leave on much better terms and with the employer reference that you deserve!

#4. You spend too much time at work

Are you consistently working over your contracted hours and missing out on quality time with friends and family? Then you're definitely doing more than you're being paid for. 

While it’s great to be committed to your job and take pride in the work that you do, your job should not be all consuming and take over your whole life.

If you are feeling this way and your work-life balance is pretty much non existent, it’s probably for the best that you either take a step back or walk out the door. 

Having a healthy work-life balance is so important for your mental and physical health, and working for a company that doesn't allow for flexible work, can be detrimental to all of the other moving parts of your life.

Make sure the next stage of your career allows you to work to live, not live to work.

#5. You're being underpaid

If you’ve researched the average market salaries for your role in your location and it’s more than what you’re on, then you should speak to your employer about a wage increase.

While sometimes there's other external factors that come into play, like the profitability of the company and current salary budgets, your employer should always be open to the conversation and provide justified reasons as to why there's no room for salary increases, if this is the case. 

If you're simply denied an increase without a justified reason, you might want to think about looking elsewhere for a wage that reflects the work you're doing.

Staying in a job that’s not paying you what you’re worth can make it harder to close the gap later on, especially with the rise in cost of living, meaning you could end up earning far less than your peers later in your career. 

Whilst an increase in your salary isn't the only benefit a company could provide you, you’ll feel more valued if you’re appropriately compensated.

This not only takes away other causes of stress like worrying about making ends meet each month, but gives you a little more financial flexibility and the opportunity to save for your goals.

#6. You don't feel valued 

While a constant stream of praise from your boss isn't realistic, it's important you're still thanked when it really matters, like upon completion of a big project or task!

Employees who feel valuable and that they've contributed to the bigger picture often feel happier, and work to a higher standard.

If you feel you are being taken for granted, you may want to find a role in an organisation that has a better, more supportive working culture. 

Employers that value their staff reward them with more than just their pay; they invest in their skills and development.

If you don’t think your employer is willing to help you develop as a professional, then it’s probably not worth carrying on working for them.

You’ll never be able to progress in your career if you’re not given the chance to grow your potential, so if you have career goals that are based on this type of development, it’s best to move on.

This brings us to our next point…

#7. There's no promotion in sight

If you feel you’ve mastered your job and are looking for more exciting challenges, it may be an indication that you’re ready for a promotion.

If, however, your boss continuously passes you over for promotion or there’s a lack of available opportunities for you then you should consider looking elsewhere. 

You don’t want to feel stuck in a job that’s going nowhere, or be in a position where you aren't regularly learning new skills. So, if you want to progress further in your career, leaving your current role might be your best option.

#8. Your role has changed for the worse 

If changes to your responsibilities at work have happened subtly and over a long period of time, you might look around one day and realise that your role is a completely different one to the job you were hired to do.

This isn’t always a bad thing as it may have allowed you to discover your hidden talents.

However, if you feel you’ve been pushed into taking on tasks that you don’t enjoy or are not in line with your long-term career goals then it's perfectly reasonable to consider taking on a new opportunity.

Take some time to consider what you want to be doing and make a plan for your next steps.

#9. The work environment is toxic 

Do you enjoy the environment you work in? If it’s filled with hostility and poor communication, then probably not.

Negative energy and a lack of clear processes and communication between departments and team members can really demotivate employees, making it hard to feel positive about being at work. 

This can be reason enough to leave on its own, but if a toxic work environment starts to leak into your personal life, then you know it’s time to make a change.

#10. Staff turnover is high 

High staff turnover is usually a sign that something’s not quite right with a company. There are many different reasons that people leave, but if you’ve noticed that talented employees are frequently heading for the door you might want to consider why. 

If it feels like every other week there’s another person announcing their departure, then it’s definitely time to look more critically at the company and perhaps at roles elsewhere.

Next Steps

Take some time to think about what you really want. Ask yourself if it’s just the company or if it’s the industry as a whole that you have outgrown.

Would you feel any differently if you were doing the same job at another organisation?

If you discover that you’re no longer happy in your industry, it might be time to change your field completely. Changing careers can feel like a mammoth task and it's a big step to take, but it will be worth it in the long run to have a career that you’re invested in rather than a job that simply pays the bills.

The thing to remember is not to let fear of the unknown hold you back from moving on, especially when the alternative is staying in a job that’s going nowhere, is making you miserable and stopping you from reaching your maximum potential.

Thinking about a new career? Browse our courses and reach out to an expert careers adviser today.