10 signs it’s time to quit your job

If you’re finding it hard to lift yourself out of bed for work, it could be time to move on and find a new job…

It turns out that frequently changing jobs is becoming the norm. Millennials have very different expectations from their jobs than older generations who are likely to have been in the same job or with the same company for most of their career.

Millennials also have different motivations. Studies, such as PwC’s global NextGen survey, suggest that younger generations value having a sense of purpose and a good work-life balance over financial success.

Research carried out by Liverpool Victoria suggests that UK workers change jobs every 5 years and will have one complete career change in their lifetime. Here are 10 signs that it might be time for you to look for a new job.

1. You don’t get along with your boss

Whether you have a good or bad manager can make all the difference as to how much you enjoy your job. If you are struggling to see eye-to-eye with your boss, it could be time to try and find someone more on your wavelength.

How to fix it: It is essential that you can communicate with your manager. If you are struggling, be honest. It may be a simple case of crossed wires. If you can’t work through this, then it’s time to go.

2. You dread Monday

Sure, it’s not everyone’s favourite day, however, if you dread the start of the week so much it’s having a negative impact on your free time, it could be time to look for something new.

How to fix it: You may be able to solve this problem by organising a regular social activity on a Monday night so you have something to look forward to after work. If this doesn’t change the way you feel, then it’s time to move on.

3. You’re struggling to cope with stress

It goes without saying that your health should come first. If your physical or mental health is suffering because of your job, it’s time to re-evaluate your circumstances.

How to fix it: Could a change in work pattern or hours help? Could certain responsibilities be lifted from you? Talk to your manager and they might be able to offer a solution that makes all the difference. If there’s nothing to be done, it’s time to start hunting for a different role.

4. You don’t feel valued

If you’ve started to feel as though all your efforts are going unnoticed, you may want to assess the situation. You don’t want to feel underappreciated in your job, instead, you should feel excited about meeting the next challenge.

How to fix it: Make your feelings clear to your manager. This can be a difficult thing to do, however, the way they respond can indicate whether or not it’s time to start looking for something new. If they offer a solution, you might want to stick it out for a bit longer to see if anything changes. If they don’t seem to care, perhaps it’s time to get out of there.

5. It’s no longer a challenge

If you feel like you’ve taken everything you can from your current role and it doesn’t look like there are any opportunities for promotion on the horizon, be proactive and think about how you might be able to make the next step in your career.

How to fix it: Take on some more responsibility in your current role and clearly signal to your superiors that you’re ready for the next step. If there are no opportunities to do this at your current company, it’s time to find a business that can offer you some progression.

6. You can’t stop complaining

The way you feel about your job might start to have an impact on your personal relationships. Do all your conversations start with a gripe about work? Have your friends and family started to comment on how much you’re complaining? Everyone needs an outlet where they can vent, however, make sure that this doesn’t start to wear a little thin.

How to fix it: Take some time to look at your complaints. Where are they stemming from? Is there anything that you can do to address them? Could a meeting with your manager help? If being proactive about your issues doesn’t get you anywhere, then it’s time to go.

7. You don’t get along with your co-workers

Generally, workers spend about eight hours a day with their colleagues. It’s going to be tough if you don’t get along with these people.

How to fix it: Make an effort to try and find some common ground with your colleagues. There could be something that sparks off a real friendship. If it’s no good, you’ll be much happier working somewhere with like-minded people so start looking to see what other jobs are out there.

8. Money is becoming an issue

Is money becoming a constant worry? Think back to the last time you had a pay rise – is it time to approach your manager and as for one? If it’s been a long time since your last pay rise (generally, more than a year) and your request has been declined without any indication as to when you might start to earn some more money, it’s time to start looking at what else might be out there.

How to fix it: If it’s time for a pay rise, ask. This can often be a daunting task, however, remember that you deserve to be paid fairly. If it sounds like nothing is going to change now or in the near future, hit the jobs board.

9. Your values don’t match up with those of your employer

It can be really tricky to work in an environment where you don’t see eye-to-eye with your employer. You may even have ethical concerns about some of the activities of the company. This is a really difficult situation for an employee and has the potential to harm your own career.

How to fix it: Have there been any miscommunications here? Talk to your manager and see if they can alleviate any of your concerns. If this doesn’t happen, it’s probably wise to move on.

10. You’re bored

Perhaps you’ve been at your job just a little too long to enjoy it any more or maybe you’ve discovered that you’re just in the wrong job. Don’t carry on just waiting for retirement, be proactive and find something else.

How to fix it: Are there any opportunities to take on more responsibility or to change your job role slightly? Maybe you’ve spotted an area within the company that you think you’d be better suited to. Be honest with your superiors and ask whether some changes can be made. If not, you’re more likely to be happier somewhere else.