We all enjoy working in a company that acknowledges and rewards our efforts. Our good standing at work brings fulfillment and future possibilities. But while we dream of working for a company that both challenges and rewards us, we all too often find that life doesn’t always give us what we want. If you have the following “symptoms,” maybe a change of job is in order.
1. You never feel like going to work.
If you’re think of skipping work more often than not, it may be a sign that you need to change jobs. It’s hard to work when you’re not motivated to show up, and your lack of enthusiasm may even serve to bring down your coworkers. Keep in mind, though, that this does not apply to all cases. For instance, a “weekend hangover” on Monday mornings is pretty normal and doesn’t require anything as drastic as changing jobs. It’s the same thing if you don’t feel like working because you can’t handle the schedule. If it’s your shift hours that you hate and not your job per se, consider asking to change your shift or move to a different team that follows a schedule that fits you better.
2. You’re bored.
If you do the same tasks every day, it’s no wonder the monotony has you chafing at the bit. Kudos to you if you work hard despite the boredom. But even perseverance has its limits. What if you’re not the type who thrives on routinary tasks? You don’t have to endure it, nor do you have to resign immediately. Surprise your supervisor and yourself by asking for out-of-the-ordinary tasks. Doing so earns you brownie points from your supervisor and keeps your boredom at bay. If it doesn’t work, perhaps this is when you should consider resigning. After all, some companies foster cultures that genuinely challenge you to innovate, while some pay lip service to creative thinking but actually just want you to clock in and do what need to do every day before you clock out.
3. You don’t like your team or the management.
You’ve probably experienced clashes with your colleague or even your supervisor. It’s normal to have differences in opinion when working with other people. But if it becomes a constant thing, or if you’re stuck with a terror boss who refuses to see reason, you might want to evaluate if the working environment still fits you. Your interests and opinions might be helpful when applied to another job, or maybe the management style just doesn’t suit you. It’s not the end of the world. You can transfer to another department or apply to another company where your views are better received and your colleagues are of the same mindset as you are.
4. There are few (if any) opportunities for growth in the company.
When you work in a company, especially a corporate one, it’s important to have a plan for upward and/or lateral mobility. And your company should encourage you to develop your current skill sets and learn new ones (such as a new language or soft skills). So if you don’t see yourself growing in your current job, might as well consider a transfer to another department or company. Consider it a telltale sign as well if there is news that the company’s laying off workers or transferring its operations elsewhere. Downsizing spells trouble for your career development.
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5. You’re stressed all the time.
Stress is okay when it’s manageable. There are ways to take quick breaks for stress relief during the work day, and you should spend a little time after work each day for a little creative de-stressing. Still, a good amount of pressure in your working life will push you to reach greater heights. But it’s another story if the stress is too much to handle. Your health should still take priority over your work. When your work takes a toll on your health, that’s the time to entertain the idea of resigning.
6. You’re unsatisfied with your benefits and compensation.
Your salary can be one factor when it comes to deciding whether you should leave or not. If you’ve been working hard and performing well but do not receive a raise that reflects how the company should be valuing your efforts, that may be a warning sign that it’s time to look elsewhere. Of course, if you’re otherwise satisfied with your job, you can also bring it up with your superior and ask if there is something you can do to ensure you get better remuneration for your work. Also, keep it in mind that most companies base raises and promotions on an employee’s performance. You might have to put in more effort to sustain your demand for a raise or higher-paying position.
7. Your boss takes you for granted.
Do you ever get the feeling that those who came after you get better treatment at work? Or are you feeling unappreciated because your boss does not give you the recognition that you deserve? If your boss shows blatant favoritism or animosity , it may be a sign that this particular job in this particular team isn’t for you, and you may want to look into shifting to another team or department or finding a new job. Still, remember that it takes two to tango, so take a long, hard look at your interactions with your boss. Does she ignore you because you don’t speak up when you have something to say or suggest? Are you aggressive (even passive-aggressive) in his dealings with you, and could that be why he prefers your other teammates to you? Ask your supervisor what needs to be done. Be a team player, and step up and take a leadership role when needed. You should do this whether you want to leave the company or not; remember, your next company may want to know what your boss thinks of you, and you don’t want a negative referral.
8. You don’t have a life outside of work.
Work-life balance is important if you want to enjoy your stay in the company more. If it comes to a point where you’re exchanging me-time for work and more work, do yourself a favor and choose your sanity over salary. All the money and perks in the world won’t do you any good if you can’t enjoy it because you’ve compromised your health with stress-related issues.
Does this list confirm that it’s time to send in that resignation letter? Before you do, make sure you can afford to—or start applying elsewhere so you have another job to go to before you call it quits on your current one. Because as much as you may hate your job, there’s every likelihood you’ll hate being broke and unemployed even worse. And remember, if and when you do design, going into “resignation mode” is one of the worst things you can do because it leaves a lasting bad impression on your colleagues and superiors (and you never know when you might have to work with them again int he future).
All images from The Devil Wears Prada (20th Century Fox). Additional reporting by Liana Smith Bautista.
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