Knowing when it is time to “move on”

By Dan Moran

Making the decision to move on to a new job is a very difficult and often emotional undertaking. But there are defining moments in any job—a situation, a change or a significant revelation—that is a wake-up call. I recently worked with a client who made the decision to seek a new job after his 4-year old son asked his wife, “Does Daddy live somewhere else?” Tell me that’s not a wake-up call!
If you are experiencing feelings of a disconnect in your job, perhaps it is your time to change – to move on and seek something new and exciting and recharge your internal batteries. Below are some tips to decide if it’s time to go.

Too many bad days?
We all have had a bad day, week or even a month, in our jobs. It happens. It is important to evaluate a situation like this carefully and answer this question: Is this ongoing or just situational— driven by an internal business condition that will change? If the answer is yes, deal with that first. If it appears to be systemic (in the “grain” of the organization and not likely to change) or if you cannot answer the question, then it is likely time to move on.

Have you lost that “loving feeling”?
This is very common and a clear sign to move on. You enter the job or business full of enthusiasm and vigor and it wears off. You are not challenged (maybe bored, which has happened to me), you lose interest in the business or you don’t see growth, etc. It’s not that there is anything wrong with you or the company, you have just outgrown each other and if there are no other opportunities, it is time to move on.

Is your job affecting your health and family life?
Job stress affects your health in many ways including sleep, eating, and other routine functions. Excessive job demands will affect your family and relationships as well, and when this becomes an issue, move on.

Changes don’t fit you
Change helps businesses grow and at times, changes just don’t fit everyone. If you feel that company changes are not right for you, and you see no light at the end of the tunnel, time to move on.

You are marginalized and don’t like your boss
Everything is going great and then there is a new player or a new strategy that results in you being marginalized—not included in meetings or not as involved as you were before. You become disconnected. Top that with a new boss who you just don’t click with and you know it is time to move on.

You are not growing
This is the number one reason why people leave jobs—no growth or learning opportunities. Some companies “get it” and provide this environment; others do not or just say they do, but really don’t. The result? You find you’re “stuck”—not growing, not learning and not advancing. Talk to your management team and if there is no positive resolution, move on.
Change is good for all. When you are disconnected from your job, your performance suffers and that is not good for the company. It’s best for both that you move on with great experience under your belt and with a new set of friends.

Dan Moran is president & founder of Next-Act, a career management & transition firm located in Colonie. He specializes in helping people make career choices and seek new jobs. He is also a Certified Facilitator for Get Hired Now! and Get Clients Now! Programs, which help those in career transition and companies get results. You can reach him at 641.8968 or dmoran@next-act.com or visit www.next-act.com.