“Some days it wasn’t so bad,” Maria said of when she started thinking about a career change, “but other days work was really getting to me. I was frustrated and tired most of the time, and when I wasn’t working, part of me was counting down the days or hours until I had to go back and dreading it. I don’t think I realized how much it was affecting me until I found a better job.”
We can’t count the number of times job seekers have said something similar. For most people, work isn’t just a paycheck. It’s tied up in our identity and our hopes for the future. It affects our emotional and physical well-being. Being stuck at a job you hate colors every aspect of life. But when do you know it’s time to quit?
Sometimes toughing it out might get you to a better place. And making the wrong job change choice might be like jumping out of the frying pan into the fire. But there are also situations where applying for a different position at a different company can improve your mindset, mental health, and finances all with just a little patience and effort.
At Brelsford Personnel, we visit with candidates one on one to understand where they are, what skills they already possess and where they see themselves in the future. We want to connect Tyler area job seekers with Texas employers in a way that benefits both. Because we put such priority on hiring for fit, we often hear new hires express renewed hope and energy after we’ve helped them through a job change.
Should you think about applying for one of our job openings or stay put a little longer in your current role? It’s different for everyone, but here are four signs it might be time to change jobs.
You’re Consistently Unhappy or Stressed
When you hate your job, you might feel like you have to spend the workday suppressing your feelings. Then when you get home, you don’t want to take a bad day out on the ones closest to you, but you might be more irritable than you would be otherwise. That irritability creates guilt, which increases the strain. Stress keeps you from enjoying the good things in life, and it’s terrible for your health.
Everyone has periods of work stress from time to time, but when it’s long-term, its negative effects start to show up in your body. Some of the physical signs that indicate you’re stressed at work include:
- Headaches: Stress can cause tension headaches or migraines.
- Back or neck pain: If you find yourself repeatedly stretching or massaging your neck and shoulders because they’re tight, stress might be the cause.
- Fatigue: Work strain might make it harder to fall asleep or stay asleep so you’re constantly exhausted.
- Gastrointestinal problems: People sometimes describe having a sinking feeling in their gut when they think about work or say they have stomach issues from worry.
- Physical symptoms of anxiety: Stress can show up as a racing heartbeat, shortness of breath, trembling or shaking or worse.
- Appetite changes: Some people don’t feel like eating at all while others can’t get enough of their preferred comfort food.
Obviously, we’re not doctors, and those symptoms overlap with a lot of other health issues. It’s always a good idea to see a healthcare professional about physical and mental health issues. But if you feel like your job is what’s stressing you out, you’re probably right.
You Lack Growth Opportunities
If the bulk of your day is made up of tasks that are repetitive and unchallenging, you might not have the opportunity to learn and grow in your role. Sometimes individuals feel like they’ve reached a dead end. There’s nowhere to go inside their organization that would be an improvement.
If you sense there’s no room for creativity and your role or company doesn’t allow you to bring your unique skills and ideas to the table, you might feel stuck and stagnant. If you’ve recognized the problem, the first step is to be proactive and ask your supervisor about possible growth opportunities. If you tried that and got shot down, it might be time to look for new avenues for growth outside your current organization.
You Can’t Remember When You Last Had Work-Life Balance
It’s not good if you’re constantly tired because you’re working too much. If you have a hard time disconnecting from work, if you’re constantly navigating around workplace potholes, checking notifications and putting out fires outside business hours, that’s a sign your work-life balance could be improved.
When you can’t keep up with personal responsibilities, you cancel plans with people you care about and you can’t remember the last time you engaged in your hobbies, you might be working too much. If you constantly feel overwhelmed by your workload, it might be time to look for employment elsewhere.
You’re Underpaid Compared to Local Peers in Your Position
Research industry standards, talk to peers and network with other professionals in your field to find out what pay is fair for your job and location. This one is a little tricky, because fair pay varies depending on company, location, and industry, along with a candidate’s education and experience.
Apply Online Now
Would you like to find out if Brelsford Personnel can help you find a better job? Search our current openings, apply for the one closest to your qualifications, and when we have a match, we’ll be in touch.
