When is it time to move on?

Making the decision to quit your job can be a difficult one, especially if you have been in your current job for a certain amount of time. There may be an emotional attachment to colleagues, the work environment and the work itself. While job loyalty and job satisfaction are looked upon positively, it should not cloud your judgment on whether there are valid career advancement prospects elsewhere.

Take a look at this checklist to determine whether it’s time for you to start moving on.

There are no career prospects

The number one reason professionals tell us they consider moving to a new role is a lack of career progression. When you have been in your job for some time but you are either in the same role as when you arrived or you have not been promoted recently, it may be because there is a lack of career planning for you as an employee. Bosses value diligence and good work performance but these are not always rewarded with the opportunity to progress in your career.

Action Plan: Before you make the leap, talk to your supervisor to see whether there are any opportunities for you to be promoted in the future. If no career advancement plans are put in place and nothing changes, it’s a clear sign that you should find another organisation that values you.

You can't muster any passion 

There is a difference between feeling no passion for your work on a cold and dreary Monday, and finding it hard to be enthusiastic about your job on a regular basis. When every work day blends into another and you spend your time day dreaming about what you will do the moment you leave the office, something is clearly wrong.

Action Plan: Write down five things you like about your job and five things you don’t like. See if you can take on more responsibility in the areas where you enjoy your work or if you can take some training to help you in the areas you find challenging. If you can’t find five things you enjoy about your job, it could be time to leave!

Poor leadership

As a conscientious professional, you can only go so far with mediocre leadership. If your boss is unable to motivate, inspire and lead you and your colleagues, it creates a negative work environment and you’re likely to find yourself without direction. Large-scale projects may become a nightmare without strong leadership to guide teams and ensure the right work processes are in place.

Action Plan: Approach your boss and ask him or her if you can be given clearer direction about your work. Frame the conversation in a constructive way so that he or she doesn’t feel attacked but can work to improve your workplace experience.

Negative work environment

Every office comes with its own set of office politics. Whether you have been mired in it at some point of your career; or whether you have successfully managed to avoid being in the midst of it all, a negative work environment can be very draining on any individual.

Action Plan: Only you can decide whether you want to talk to your boss or your HR department about what you find difficult about the office politics or move somewhere else. If you decide to talk to your boss or HR department, give specific examples of occasions when the atmosphere has affected the work that has been done.

Mismatch with your career goals

It may have seemed like the right opportunity at the time, but you may simply have outgrown the role you are in at the moment. Most professionals aspire toward bigger and better goals. If your current position is not conducive for attaining your career aspirations, a change is likely in order.

Thinking of making a move? Here's how to resign professionally.