I started my second job out of college in July 2015, and I could not be more excited for where it will take me.
I’ve been in my current role for about two weeks now, and I cannot be happier. I am now working in New York City and I am feeling more motivated than ever before. I loved my previous job, and cannot be more thankful for the experience that I received and for the people with who I worked. However, I could feel myself getting antsy; I needed a change. I am the most curious person I know, and I always need a challenge. I want to be successful, and sometimes, that means putting myself out of my comfort zone.
So how did I know it was the right time to change jobs? And how will you know when you should say yes to a new opportunity?
Your job is no longer challenging you.
I grew so much in my last job and I really felt like I had the hang of my position. However, I felt like I was getting a little complacent. I loved what I did, but the day-to-day duties were becoming the same over and over again. I knew I would be able to create projects with the help of my boss in order to challenge myself again, but I felt I needed something really different.
I needed a change of environment to really spark that drive inside of me. I needed to be around more people my own age, doing something completely different. I needed to try something new and challenge myself on a personal level, as well as a professional level.
Your passion has disappeared.
I did not lose my passion for journalism, digital media or anything in that industry. However, you might find that what you thought you wanted to do for the rest of your life is not really satisfying you. If working a corporate job has you dreading every morning in the office, maybe it’s time you try freelancing from home. If you love children, but dislike working with your own peers, maybe it’s time to go back to school and get a teaching degree. You should love what you do on a daily basis. Don’t settle. It’s your career after all.
Your job is taking over your personal life.
We all love our coworkers. They are our family away from home and many become some of our best friends. But if you’re spending more time in your office – and you’re considering keeping a pillow and blanket there just in case you need to pull an all-nighter again – you may need to find a new job. Having a healthy work-life balance is important for our confidence, our health and our relationships.
Sara Sutton Fells, CEO and founder of FlexJobs, tells Forbes that people should consider looking for a new job when they find themselves spending less time with family because of work. Careers are important, but so are those you love.
There’s no room for growth.
We all have goals for ourselves, and titles we feel we want to obtain in our industry in order to feel like we are successful. If you’re at a company that cannot give you a title you need to leverage your career, or you see that you won’t be able to join the management team eventually, it might be time to look elsewhere. You may love your company, but if you can’t eventually do what you want to do at the level you want to do it at, then there may be a different company that can offer you those opportunities.
You don’t think the salary you’re making reflects the work you’re doing.
Don’t get me wrong: money is not everything. However, at certain stages in life, money is more important than others. If you find that you’ve received too many of the same 2.5-percent bonuses over the past few years, and nothing more, then it may be time to leverage a higher salary at a new company. When interviewing, ask for the salary that you feel you are really worth; something that reflects the work you will do for the company. You should know your own value and worth, and know what you need to do that work well, while also being able to live the life you want or need to live.
For others, changing jobs may not be something they want or need to do; the job they have may be their idea of success — and that is great! I want to remind everyone that everyone has a different idea of what success is for themselves in their career. Everyone has a different path that they need to take in life. Do what makes you happy and do what makes you feel successful in your career.
— Hilarey Wojtowicz