When is the Best Time to Switch Jobs in Your Career while Employed?

These are the 10 Best Times to Switch Jobs you’re your career to move forward in life. But first, is it a good time to switch jobs especially in recession time? I know many people will like to know how often should they change jobs. There are several advantages and disadvantages of changing jobs. Here are some of the signs it’s time to change jobs.

These are the similar searches we saw when putting this articles together.

should i change jobs if i’m happy
why you should change jobs every 3 years
average salary increase when changing jobs
should i change jobs for more money

Major factors or things to consider when changing jobs

If you are thinking of changing your job, keep in mind that the grass is not always greener. It is very mandatory and important that you are think hard before this process.

Apparently many workers have taken a new job only to discover that it is much different than they had hoped for, according to a survey. It is a phenomenon called “shift shock.”

Alternatively, in order to avoid this problem, make sure you are leaving a job for the right reasons and carefully look out for new work opportunities. Here are 10 signs it’s time to change jobs, according to employment experts.

Best signs to Know its time for a Job change

However, the following are unavoidable signs it is time for a job change

The company is no longer stable.
Your work schedule no longer fits your lifestyle.
You have the feeling of being burned out.
You’re trying to build your resume.
Your income is stagnant.
You no longer feel challenged.
Your workplace is toxic.
You’ve just finished a big project.
Your company no longer align with your values.
You’ve hit a life milestone.

1. Your company is no longer stable.

If you hear and can confirm rumours about possible layoffs coming or your company is being bought out, that in itself is a trigger that it’s time to look for a new job. Rather than be forced into a job change, it may be better to start looking elsewhere now and leave on your own comfortable terms. If you find yourself in such situation, its time to switch jobs.

2. Your work schedule no longer fits your lifestyle.

The COVID-19 pandemic made us see that some people discovered that there are new ways to do their jobs. What we certainly seeing now is that workers who want to continue to work remotely. For instance, if your employer is forcing everyone back to the office but you prefer the flexibility of working from home, it may be your cue to explore other work opportunities. Depending on your field, self-employment at this time may be a very valuable option as well. On the whole, if you feel unsafe going back to work physically, its time to switch jobs.

3. You’re feeling burned out.

Stressing work conditions otherwise called ‘Burnout’ is a clear sign the time to switch jobs is correct. “The emotional toll that a bad job takes on you is steady and gradual,” says J. Gerald Suarez, professor of the practice in systems thinking and design at the University of Maryland. If you have fears going to work or feel like you just are going through the motions that is a good sign you are ready for a change of job. Similarly, you may not need to switch employers but rather move on to another position within your organization. If you are not so sure of how to change jobs, speak to your supervisor or kindly discuss your concerns and ask whether you may be able to get a transfer to a different department or role within your organisation

4. You’re trying to build your resume.

No one takes a position and expects to be there for eternity. Many times people are only looking for experience to build their resume in order pursue other positions. In that case, you just do not want to work a particular job for too long. “The sweet spot seems to be between 18 months and three years,” according to Christy Pruitt-Haynes, head of performance practice for Neuro-Leadership Institute, a human resources consulting firm. However, if you leave your job before 18 months, you may be seen as an unserious job hopper, Pruitt-Haynes says. On the other hand, continuing in a position for more than three years could mean you have lost momentum towards your set ultimate goal career wise.

5. Your income is stagnant.

If your income is not meeting up, it could be an indicator to the fact that you need a change of job. There is no harm in looking out for other opportunities out there. Using a websites such as a Salary.com and Payscale.com that have tools that allow people to compare their earnings to those of other workers in their field can be of immense help.

6. You no longer feel challenged.

For many people, a job is more than the take home pay. They see at as a chance to stretch horizons, develop skills and make noticeable differences in their chosen fields of endeavour. However, if you no longer feel the challenge to do better at work, it may be time to change jobs. If you feel you are losing that engagement, revisit the reason you took the job in the first place. It could be that your change in values and maybe your current employer no longer offers you work that is personally meaningful. Or it could be that you have done your best possible and you feel your skills in your current position are ready to move you to the next level of your career.

7. Your workplace is toxic.

Some offices and workplaces provide supportive environments and foster collaboration. Similarly, others can be highly competitive, unhealthy and border on hostility. Scholars suggests evaluating whether workplace issues involve disliking a single co-worker or something even deeper such as an atmosphere of disrespect and rivalry. At first instance, you may not need to change jobs immediately, instead you could look into changing departments if available. However, in some situations, it may be best and safe to find work elsewhere instead. If incessant discrimination or harassment are involved, you may want to talk to an attorney about legal remedies.

8. You’ve just finished a big project.

As a professional courtesy, it is not good to quit in the middle of a big project. Never leave your job in the middle of a mission or project as the case may be. Doing so could leave co-workers in a fix and might eliminate the possibility of receiving a good reference or recommendation from that employer. It is also best to time a departure, it could be after a salary raise, if possible. “It’s better to wait until after a performance review,” Pruitt-Haynes advises. That way you can use any higher salary or bonus you receive as leverage when negotiating consideration for a new job.

9. Your company doesn’t align with your values.

Workers are increasingly looking for employment that aligns with personal beliefs and values. In fact, quite a number of employees say they would consider not working for a company that has values they do not align with, according to a 2022 survey of approximately 1,200 employed adults by experience management firm Qualtrics. Professional and personal life are now even more interwoven than ever. If you strongly feel about a particular issue, such as sustainability, you may want to find a job that prioritizes that value.

10. You’ve hit a life milestone;

Huge milestones such as marriage or welcoming a child, would make a person want to re-evaluate whether your job is still a good fit for you. “As we go through different life stages, we value different things,” Thurlow says. In the same vein, your practical everyday needs may change. For example, you may find you need more money or want an even more flexible schedule if you have expanded your family.

Conclusion

What is the Best Time to Switch Jobs in Your Career? Let’s hear your view. Article Reference is here.

- Advertisement -