As a millennial, people always found it surprising when I shared that I worked for an organization for 11 years. Millennials are known for job-hopping and having multiple careers at a higher rate than generations before us. Thankfully, for most of the time at my previous organization, I felt alignment with the mission of my organization and received opportunities for development and career growth, so I never felt the need to hop around like some of my peers.
However, now that I have made the “hop” to another organization (still in the same career field) and have spoken with other colleagues, I’ve reflected on the signs that we sometimes ignore letting us know when it is time to move on to another organization. Here are five signs I plan to keep in mind when debating whether it’s time to make the “hop”:
1. Change in Leadership
People come and go in organizations all the time. One thing I learned early on is the only constant is change. But as leadership transitions happen within our organizations this can sometimes lead to a new direction. We should be in tune with the words being relayed and the actions being exhibited as the new direction is shared. Hopefully they align with each other, but if not, take the opportunity to ask clarifying questions to make sure you fully understand where the organization is going. If you are met with resistance to questions, that is a sign that transparency may not be a priority of leadership. Your questions may be answered fully, but you may disagree with the destination or on the steps to get there.
If transparency is important to you or there are philosophical differences you have with leadership, it may be a good time to explore other organizations.
2. Under Utilized Skills
We all should want to work hard and do our very best at what we do. If you have been able to perform at a certain level, with success, but you’re not able to continue to maximize your skills this can be startling. There could be a logical explanation as to why, and asking questions could provide you with an answer. If you are not presented with a reasonable response and you are not able to fully utilize your skills moving forward, this could be a sign to begin to look for other job prospects.
3. Lack of Growth Opportunities
If you’re not fully utilizing your skills, this could also mean a lack of opportunities for career growth. Earlier in my career, a leader once said to me, “You know this position would be leading a team and you’ve never led a team before.” While the leader was correct—I had not led a team before, I had been with the organization for nearly seven years at that point, and I had not been afforded the opportunity to manage a single employee or a team. I found it perplexing to be met with such a statement after being loyal to the organization.
Thankfully, I did receive an opportunity to manage and was able to continue my career growth, but if I hadn’t, that would have been a major concern for me with the organization. If opportunities are available at your organization, but you are not being considered or even thought of, it may be time to reflect on why that may be the case, and if another organization would better align with your career goals and growth.
4. Unhealthy Work Environment
We spend most of our waking time at work, whether it be physically or virtually. If we are not happy in the environment, it can have a negative impact on our professional life as well as our personal life. There were times when I allowed myself to be consumed by the idle talk and political gymnastics of the office I left, and I was left with nothing else to give to prioritize my own mental and physical health. Other signs of unhealthy work environments can include a lack of trust among colleagues, ineffective leadership, controlling management practices, and unnecessary punitive measures.
5. Dreading Going to Work
“Sunday scaries” and a “case of the Mondays” have been normalized in today’s society, but do your negative feelings regarding work remain for a majority of the week? Being sad the weekend has come to an end is normal and probably a feeling many of us have, but if the thought of work brings about physical anguish or loss of sleep it may be time to sit down and think about what’s best for you.
Personally, I’m in a work-to-live mindset, so I understand I will not always be excited about work, yet I know it is necessary to work in order to create and live the life I imagine. If the dread of the work impedes the living, then a change is almost always on the horizon.
There are probably many more items to debate when making the decision about whether it’s time to leave an organization, but these are the top 5 that resonated the most with me in my personal career journey. What other signs would you add to the list? Let’s make a comprehensive list in the comments and help others in our field who are considering their own “hops!”
Ready to make the leap? Bookmark the DRG job board and keep an eye out for your next great opportunity!
Written by Avery G. Howard
