New Year, New Job? In 2022, we saw trends such as “the great resignation,” “quitting the quiet,” and “the great breakupdominated the headlines, but the job landscape has changed since mass retrenchment in areas such as tech and looming potential recession, Still, many workers are still considering careers and quitting.
a december 2022 survey Employment agency Robert Half found that 50 percent of workers plan to look for a new job within the first six months of 2023. Reasons for leaving include higher pay (62 percent of respondents), better perks and benefits (39 percent). ) and greater opportunities for advancement (30 percent).
But how do you know when it’s really time to quit? We asked two career experts: Candy Ho, a BC-based career coach and assistant professor at the University of the Fraser Valley, and Bill Howat, an Ottawa-based workplace-mental-health expert.
Sign #1: You’ve learned and accomplished everything you could in your role and are ready for a bigger challenge
Ho says that after an initial “honeymoon phase” of excitement about a new job, employees typically enter a “coasting” phase after learning the ropes and realizing they can work with their eyes closed. Can This is often followed by a phase of disengagement, where workers are no longer interested in their work. The beaching or dissociation phase is when Ho says people begin to contemplate departure.
“You have a deep knowledge of your job tasks, you’ve built strong relationships with your colleagues and there are potentially automated processes to make your work more efficient,” says Ho. “But at the same time, you’re feeling a little bored and thinking, ‘What else could happen to me?'”
Some people can happily live onshore if they want or need stability. However, if you’ve been itching for a higher title or more responsibility, it could be a sign that it’s time to call it quits.
Sign #2: Better offers are available from other organizations
It’s easy to be lured out of your job by a higher-paying offer – which is a worthwhile reason to take on a new role, especially if you’re currently underpaid. But Before You Send Your Resignation, Think About This entirety About the new offer and what it could actually be like to work in that organization.
“Salary isn’t everything,” Ho says, adding that it’s important to consider whether a new job is an “apples-to-apples” comparison. Consider factors such as culture, workspace or career-advancement opportunities. Does that higher salary come with the same mental-health coverage as your previous job? Are you expected to be in the office five days a week? The ability to work remotely, flexible hours and better health benefits are often factors – especially gen z worker Those who prioritize work-life balance.
Sign #3: Worrying about going to work is causing you to lose sleep
Howat describes this as a symptom rather than a sign; Work stress and anxiety can cause difficulty sleeping or disrupt your personal life. Worrying about the next day at work, or how your boss might react in a meeting, can keep you up at night – especially if you have toxic manager who can micromanage, put you down or gaslight you,
However, it’s different from the occasional stress or anxiety you might feel before an important meeting or in the middle of a difficult project. The type of stress and sleep deprivation associated with Howett occurs when you feel as though there is no end in sight. Howat explains, “You may feel like you’ll never figure out how to address the root cause of your stress.” This suffering may be the result of an intolerable work schedule, poor leadership, or an unhealthy work environment, and may be a sign that it is time to move on.
Sign #4: Your job doesn’t give you a sense of purpose
According to Howat, an ideal work situation is rewarding both personally and professionally. “People can feel a sense of connection with the organization’s mission, values and team,” he says. He describes a sense of purpose as “being part of something bigger that creates a sense of fulfillment.” For example, grueling hours may be easier to tolerate if you believe the work you’re doing helps a community or contributes to a cause you feel connected to.
While you don’t have to love your job all the time, a feeling of “emptiness” in the work you’re doing may mean it’s time to think about finding a new role or perhaps a new career. This is especially important if you are someone who wants to feel personally connected to your work.
Sign #5: You’ve done everything you can to improve your circumstances, but you’re still not at your best at work
Ho says it’s important not to jump ship when you first have doubts, but to take the time to really feel it out. “I’ve worked with clients who regret quitting too early,” she says. “I always ask if you feel like you’ve done everything you can before throwing in the towel.” Could have.”
If your current schedule is unmanageable, it may seem like you’re seeking more work-from-home opportunities. Or asking for a role where you feel challenged in your work. A good employer can support growth in a role that gives you a greater sense of purpose, Howett says, which can help employees feel more fulfilled.
How long you “keep it at it” in a role can depend on a few factors, such as your potential job prospects and financial situation. Ho says there’s no specific timeline to follow before throwing in the towel. “But if you’ve done everything you can and it’s still not making a difference,” Ho says, “when you’re thinking, ‘Maybe I need a change to a different environment, a new role or Company needs.”
