2023 is set to see an increase in employee turnover with at least three-quarters of the American workforce actively pursuing alternative employment. It’s a trend that is expected to continue for the foreseeable future, but as a candidate, how do you know when it’s time for a change?

These are some of the reasons we hear most frequently at SkyWater in no particular order (and it’s not all about the money):

You don’t like your boss (and your boss doesn’t like you)

Most professionals will at some point encounter a difficult boss, the type who criticizes your every move. Whether it’s poor communication, a generally bad attitude, or downright indifference, poor leadership blights careers. If your best ideas are taken by your manager and you feel like you are constantly banging your head against the proverbial brick wall it’s time to say ‘goodbye’.

Where’s the challenge?

There’s no pressure, no deadlines, no goals and no motivation. While it sounds great in theory, in practice a slow-paced working environment leads to lethargy and stress. If chronic boredom is the highlight of your working day, you may want to update your resume.

Your work/life balance is awry

If expectations at work are unrealistic and your job is impacting on your personal life, it’s a sign that your current position isn’t suiting you. Think about looking for a job that acknowledges you have a life before the situation gets worse.

Lack of learning opportunities

You can do your job in your sleep, you’ve achieved all you can and you are hungry to learn more – but nobody’s listening. Talented employees constantly seek opportunities to add new skills to their repertoire through on-the-job training. Organizations that value their teams will provide mentoring and learning opportunities for their employees. If your company is unwilling to respond, it’s probably a sign that you’ve outgrown them.

More money

While it’s not the main reason professionals move on, it is a factor, especially if you’ve not received a raise in recent years. When your responsibilities have doubled and your achievements have soared but your salary hasn’t shifted, the chances are your efforts will be appreciated by other companies looking for talent. In the present employment market, it could be time to make a move.

Your job focuses on your weak areas

For true job satisfaction, every professional needs to be employed in a role that challenges them at times but also plays to their strengths. A strong sales professional in an admin-heavy position will feel like a square peg in a round hole. If you can’t resolve the issues with your manager, consider looking for a better fit.

The company is unstable

A pay freeze is announced, company profits have fallen for the third year running and your colleagues are starting to look nervously over their shoulders – our guess is that the writing is on the wall. Get ahead of the game and start to look for a more viable employer while you still have a choice.

You don’t want to get up in the morning

This is a big one. If your health is being affected by work-related stress or you simply can’t face the thought of spending another day in the office this isn’t the role for you. Everyone has bad days but when they merge into bad months and years, it’s a sign that this job has reached its expiration date.

If you’re certain it’s time to explore your options, remember the golden rules; don’t burn your bridges, be respectful of your current employer (no matter how you feel), and quit your job gracefully.

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