Waiting for the career fairy to show up and declare it time to launch next your job search?
Don’t hold your breath.
Like it or not, it’s up to you to make career decisions that are in your best interest. But, it can be tough to determine whether you’ve just hit a rough patch with your current job – or if it’s truly time to move on.
Here are four indicators that you’ve outgrown your employer:
The thrill is gone.
Passion for your career is essential to maintaining long-term growth, happiness and success. While you can’t expect every work day to be filled with fresh challenges and excitement, ask yourself this simple question: when was the last time you woke up eager to go to work? Your answer will reveal a lot about your passion for your current job.
You’re good. A little too good.
While there’s nothing inherently wrong with job mastery, you aren’t likely to continue growing in a job that offers no challenge. If you’ve been bored to tears for an extended period, talk to your boss about preparing for a promotion. If they’re receptive, you can set your sights on moving up within your current employer. And if you find that you’ve reached a dead end? The writing is on the wall.
Your job is nothing like you expected.
Were you promised responsibilities, clients, projects, professional development or other growth opportunities that never materialized? Then it’s time to take stock of what your job really is – not what it was promised to be. List the positives and negatives of your current role. Which column is longer? If you’re still on the fence, talk to your boss about your misgivings. If they’re willing to adapt or expand your role to offer the challenge and career path you seek, they clearly value you. And if not? Well, you know what to do.
You can’t find a mentor internally.
To grow in your career, you need the right combination of guidance and opportunity – in other words, you need a mentor. If you can’t find anyone suitable within your organization who will inspire, educate and challenge you, it’s probably due to one of two reasons: there’s honestly nobody to learn from, or your employer really doesn’t care about your success. Either way, it’s time to start evaluating other career options.
Is it time to look for a more challenging job?
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