A Guide to Deciding Whether It's Time to Look for a New Job

7 things to consider before making a decision!

Many people experience moments when they feel stagnant in their careers and begin to wonder if the time has come for a change.

Of course, there is no such thing as a perfect workplace; there will always be something that isn't exactly the way you'd like it. But the aim here is to support your reflection so that you can see if the final balance is positive from your unique perspective and if you feel happy.

In this article, we're going to explore 7 factors that can help you reflect on where you are now and what are the main points to ponder when deciding your next steps. And the assessment includes an important self-reflection at the end.

Company culture

• Is the company's business model aligned with its values?
• Do the services and/or products the company sells make you feel good, like you're contributing to a “good cause”?
• Is the way the company treats employees at all levels in line with its beliefs about what is fair and respectful in caring for people?
• Does the company practice what it preaches (when it comes to its values and principles)?
• Is the company a place that generates opportunities and recognizes people who bring results with salary increases, growth alternatives, promotions and/or moves so that they continue to develop?
• Is the company environment a place that makes room to encourage people to come up with new ideas, new ways of doing things, developing new services and/or products, so that people feel safe and confident to make suggestions and take risks?
• Do you feel good about the way the company is organized, communicates and makes changes?
• Does the company interact and contribute positively to communities? (And does it give you the opportunity to dedicate yourself to causes that help the community).
• Are you proud to talk about the company with friends and family?

   Examples: a person may not feel comfortable working for a company that produces weapons, cigarettes, alcoholic beverages or services that don't respect customers properly, such as a bank, a supermarket or a store that doesn't treat its customers well!

Is the atmosphere pleasant?

• Do you feel comfortable in your work environment?
• Is there good, positive interaction when working with your team and colleagues from other areas?
• In general, most people (there will always be some exceptions) follow the approach of trying to collaborate to solve problems? (Rather than blaming or looking for culprits.)
• Does the company have processes and policies to monitor, prevent and resolve cases of abuse, bullying, threats and lack of respect?

Your boss

• Statistics show that many people who leave a job are actually leaving a bad or terrible boss.
• A positive boss can boost your career by supporting your learning, teaching you new skills, offering opportunities for positive exposure, helping your development by giving you challenging and important projects, supporting you to take risks and make changes, listening to your suggestions, recognizing your contributions with possibilities for growth (salary, bonuses, moves, greater responsibilities) and giving constant, direct, clear and honest guidance and feedback.
• A positive boss is someone you look up to and feel you can learn from their experience and examples.
• Is that the kind of boss you have now? If not, consider this a big wake-up call!

Do you feel like you're learning?

• Have you been learning new activities? New systems? New ways of doing your job? Have you been making positive interactions and working together with your team and/or colleagues from other areas?
• Have you had opportunities to work on important projects, cross-functional team initiatives to implement new processes, systems, or develop new services and/or products?
• Have you had opportunities to understand more about the area you work in today? And how it connects with the company's results?
• Do you understand the company's results, its competitors and the market in which it operates?

Do you feel like you're growing?

• Do you feel recognized for the results you have produced?
• Have you been given additional and/or new responsibilities in your area?
• Have you been considered for new positions?
• Have you received positive feedback from your boss, colleagues and/or internal customers?
• Are you considered an important talent in the company?
• Have you received salary increases and/or bonuses differently?

Is Your Salary Competitive and Aligned with Your Responsibilities in the Market? 

• Assessing your current position, scope, responsibilities and size of operation and company, is your package (salary, bonus, benefits, etc.) competitive in the market compared to other companies?

Finally, do a self-assessment and ask yourself:

• Do you like what you do?
• Have you been doing your best in your daily tasks and projects?
• Have you brought your best to every day, to every task, to every project in order to contribute and generate results?
• Have you made suggestions for positive changes and tried to improve the way things are done by you and the team to generate better results?
• Have you maintained an open and collaborative mindset to face challenges, learn and change?
• Have you invested in developing your knowledge and skills (such as speaking English and/or Spanish, Finance, Leadership, Interpersonal Communication, etc.) in order to perform better and be ready for new opportunities and challenges?
• If your answers to most of the above questions were “No”, perhaps the problem lies with you.
• If the answers were “Yes” to most or all of the questions, then it's time to evaluate topics 1 to 6 and, if the answer is “No” to most of them, it's probably time to look for another position - either in another area in the same company or in another organization.

Keep up the positive habit of building relationships inside and outside the company, attending events, investing in courses and reading to maintain a positive direction and outlook and increase your employability.

In addition to all of the above topics to consider in a rational analysis, the main thing is to ask yourself, after reflecting on each of the factors: “Do I feel happy where I am?”

I wish you a good reflection and a positive journey where you can feel happy.

Carpe Omnia Coaching is here to support you in your assessment and to prepare a realistic plan to achieve your goals.

Contact us and schedule a 30-minute introductory session.

Share this article with your friends and family who may be at this moment of reflection.