When You Know It's Time to Go
Contributed by Jay Schroyer
There are jobs we take to advance our careers, starting at the bottom of the totem pole with the knowledge that we will learn and that we will climb. Not many of these jobs are glamorous and there is a certain amount of abuse that you are willing to take to “do your time” as it were. But when you are mid-career and find yourself in a position that feels unmistakably like an entry-level position, perhaps it’s time for a change in jobs. Especially when you know that you have reached a fairly high level of competency in your field, but your place of employment refuses to recognize that. Here are a few telltale warning signs that you might want to contemplate before you decide to jump ship.
No Respect
Respect is a two-way street and if you find yourself in an unenviable job position, you will find that if your employer has no respect for you and your talents, then you will be hard-pressed to respect them. A sure sign of a problem is when you feel little or no respect for your immediate supervisor or loyalty to the company that you work for. People don’t just feel this way naturally. This is a behavior that is nurtured through what an employee sees on a daily basis. If they see a supervisor or a company that doesn’t seem to care about the welfare of their workers, then the odds are pretty good that the employee will not be able to muster up too much respect for either. As a result, this feeling of disrespect echoes on into the employee’s work resulting in lackluster job performance.
Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
A workplace where none of the workers interact is also a scary sign. If all of the employees seem very guarded and overprotective, it may be the sign of a bad work environment. This may hint at a general distrust of the company that they work for and thus, a distrust of new employees. There actually are places where employees “spy” on other employees and report their findings to supervisors. If there is no bond of trust between you and your coworkers, your workdays will quickly become monotonous.
Stuck at the Bottom
Lack of advancement opportunities might be another strong and compelling reason to leave your current job position. If you’re at or have been at the top of your promotional level and have tried numerous times to advance, this may be a sign that you need to go somewhere else to get satisfaction. Find out if you are eligible for an internal transfer or if there is something more insidious going on.
Can’t Let It Go
The day is well over and yet you still can’t stop thinking, talking, or complaining about work. This is not a good sign either. Know when to let go. If your job is eating you up this much inside then it is definitely time to go. Work should stay at work just as home should stay at home.
I Gotta Be Me
Some have mentioned a feeling that they have to put on a mask or an alternate persona when they go to work. This is never a good sign and is not fair or just to you. You should never have to pretend that you’re someone you’re not. By doing this everyday, you stifle your true creativity and personality. Your work does become meaningless and dull because it has nothing to do with you anymore. This separation can make for a work situation that you need to get out of.
Some consider themselves lucky to have a job in this day and age, but it’s not lucky to feel miserable about your job all the time. As with any job, you should always take some time to reflect and evaluate your current position. There are no “perfect” jobs no matter what anyone tells you. Your job will always be a compromise between your want to have fun and finding the means to finance that fun. There’s no need to finance your fun with a futile and degrading job. If your happiness is at stake, check your options, and realize that it’s time to change jobs.
About the Author:
Jay Schroyer has worked in the client and customer service end of business for over five years in retail, advertising, and printing. He holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in English writing and communication.
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