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Introduction
Is your workplace motivation dwindling?
A recent survey ₁ in the UK found that more than half of employees are dissatisfied with their workplace, with over half (55.6%) confessing to being unhappy in their current role, despite a staggering 92.7% stating they believe it’s important to love what you do.
We all have off-days. Those times when you think wouldn’t it be nice to just walk away and get a different job. But the occasional niggle at work isn’t the same as an overwhelming feeling that you really ought to give some consideration to your future.
It’s no longer unusual to change your role or even your entire career direction at intervals in your working life. As recruiters, we have witnessed first-hand candidates who look for new opportunities every few years to ensure they stay motivated and expand their experience.
Forbes₂ states that the optimum time frame to change your job should be every three to five years at least. Keeping things fresh and yourself working at optimum level is paramount to a successful and happy career pathway.
Of course, it may feel easier to stay where you are. You may like your colleagues; the commute may be good – but delaying changing your role can be detrimental to both yourself and those around you.
So, if you’re already thinking about a new role, it’s likely that you are mulling it over for a very good reason.
In this article, I’ll like to give you some clear indicators and signs its time to change job.
1. Your Energy Levels Are Low
If getting out of bed is becoming an exercise in willpower, the commute to the office daunting and the sheer amount of paperwork overwhelming, it’s a sign that you are suffering from depleted energy.
While not everyone bounces out of bed at 6am every day, full of the joys of spring - struggling with low energy, apathy and the associated problems that often accompany these feelings (such as over or under-eating or excessive alcohol consumption) can result in more serious mental health issues₃ down the line.
2. You Don’t Feel Challenged
Challenge and engagement at work go hand in hand. A recent workplace survey ₄ found that 61% of employees who are engaged at work feel that they are challenged and that only 12% who said they are not engaged also reported not being challenged.
If you are no longer getting a ‘buzz’ from leading innovation, coaching your team or driving the business forward, it’s an indication that you no longer feel challenged.
3. You and Your Company Have Different Goals
In the early days, it’s likely your own aspirations aligned to your company’s goals; working in tandem to achieve progression, giving you ownership and empowerment to achieve your objectives.
But goals, aspirations and interests change over time. It may be that you have outgrown your Operations Manager role, your family commitments clash with your business need to spend time abroad, or the company direction has changed.
If it's no longer a good ‘fit’ for you, it's time to consider alternatives.
4. Negative Company Culture
58% of employees say they would leave a job with a culture influenced by negative office politics.₅
Dislike of your job, co-workers or the CEO could suggest it’s time to start job hunting. If you have difficulty relating to your senior manager, you’re not alone. Gallup’s Chief Scientist of Workplace Management and Wellbeing, James Harter PhD, states 75% of resignations in the UK are down to the boss.
One of the main reason’s employees give for leaving a job is a conflict with their immediate superior. From micromanagement to unstable behaviour; changing projects to expecting longer hours – these are just some of the elements that make individuals seek alternative employment.
As recruiters, we know that many people simply don’t feel appreciated at work. And that can be demoralising when you’re putting 110% in.
5. You Are Bored
I don’t just mean occasionally tuning out, but if you find yourself regularly becoming distracted or clockwatching in meetings, ask yourself; On a scale of 1 to 10, how interesting do I find my job?
When did you last learn something new at work?
LinkedIn’s Workforce Learning Report₆ showed an enormous 93% of employees would stay at a company longer if it invested in their careers.
Training and development are key to not only building your levels of expertise, but in keeping you engaged and interested. Are there opportunities for you to take on a new project or learn a new skill? If not, another employer will offer you those opportunities.
6. Your Work-Life Balance Isn’t Good
Intrigued? Let’s talk
To find out how our tried, tested and trusted insight and innovation can deliver you the brightest sales and marketingtalent call
01905 381320 or email info@martinveasey.com.
It will come as no surprise that senior managerial and director level staff are all too aware of the negative impacts of a poor, overworked lifestyle.
An increasingly demanding workplace culture is causing concern for the Mental Health Foundation who report that a large number of people are neglecting the factors in their lives that make them resilient to mental health problems.
And with fear of job losses propelling a staggering 94 percent of working professionals admitting they spend more than 50 hours a week working (and half of them committing over 60 hours pw) it's clear that the knock-on effect of this poor imbalance will see an impact on health, relationships and overall happiness.
7. There’s No Acknowledgment for A Job Well Done
We all know that doing X, Y or Z is part of your job, but it’s nice to be appreciated. I’ve heard so many candidates who say recognition is the number one thing their manager could give them to inspire them to produce great work.
Indeed, one placed candidate told me that her CEO always sent her a letter whenever she had organised a corporate hospitality event – even though it was part of her job role. She knew he knew this, but she said getting that letter made her feel so appreciated, and it motivated her to do an even better job next time.
When it comes to inspiring people to be their best at work, nothing else comes close to acknowledgement—not even higher pay or promotion.
Conclusion
Feeling despondent about the future of your career is a sign that your current role doesn’t suit you. And the longer you stay in a job role that fails to challenge you – the unhappier you will become.
Do any of these signs its time to change job resonate with you?
If you think it might be time to look for a change in career, contact one of our friendly team for a chat. We can provide specialist advice and guidance, and if you choose to move roles, we’ll be with you every step of the way to ensure a smooth transition.
Thanks,
Roheela
About Martin Veasey Talent Solutions
At Martin Veasey, we have been working with blue-chip and SME businesses for over 35 years, both in the UK and around the world.
We are an independent consultancy company with highly qualified staff, including many degree and Masters educated consultants, with memberships of professional bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and the British Psychological Society.
We have unique expertise in hiring for senior roles in Board & Senior, Supply Chain & Logistics, Purchasing & Procurement, Manufacturing & Engineering, Pharmaceutical & Life Sciences, Sales, Human Resources, plus many more.
If you are looking to work with a highly accomplished recruiting partner, you can call us on 01905381320 or get in contact today.
Sources
₃ https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/s/stress
₄ https://www.socialtalent.com/blog/recruitment/workers-feel-challenged-engaged-infographic
₆ https://learning.linkedin.com/resources/workplace-learning-report-2018
Intrigued? Let’s talk
To find out how our tried, tested and trusted insight and innovation can deliver you the brightest sales and marketingtalent call
01905 381320 or email
info@martinveasey.com.
I am highly recommending any candidates to work with Martin Veasey Talent Solutions, as they understand the candidate career objectives and match the skills required with the desired employer.