Is it Time to Look for a New Job?

According to a recent survey from The Conference Board, cited in Quality Magazine, less than half of all Americans are satisfied with their jobs – the highest level of discontent since the survey was first conducted in 1995. The decline in job satisfaction is found among workers of all ages across all income brackets and regions. If you are one of the dissatisfied, when do you know it is time to jump ship?

These signs might help you know if it is time to tell your boss to take this job and…well, you know:

You cringe when the alarm rings in the morning. If facing going to work every day takes a monumental act of will, that’s dread and dreading every moment is no way to spend your day. Life is too short.

You’re yelled at, mocked, or sexually harassed. No one can make you feel miserable without your permission and no boss has the right to scream in your face, wound you emotionally, or threaten you sexually. No way, no how.

You are ignored or patronized. If no one is letting you do your job, making use of your expertise, or listening to your ideas—what are you doing there? Go get fulfilled somewhere else.

You’ve hit the famous “glass-ceiling.” If there is no “up” to strive for and no diversity in your job day after day, work becomes drudgery. Surely you’d be happier working somewhere where monotony and sameness won’t numb your brain.

You work for lowlifes. f your company lies, cheats, steals, or touts shoddy products as part of its corporate culture and your ethics are offended or you want no part of such shadiness—quit! (You just might save yourself time in a cell.)

You and your higher-ups or coworkers have evolved into a dysfunctional family, with all the attendant drama. It might be time to get out. If you’ve tried to fix the situation, by acting like a rational adult and talking things through and nothing changed (or the situation got worse), it might be time to do what you couldn’t do with your real family…run away from home.

You’re bored to tears. Spending every day trying to fill time (your file folders are all labeled in calligraphy or you own every animal available on Farmville) is like being in prison. Wouldn’t you rather your days sped by because you were so interested in your work?

Your body is telling you something is wrong. You can’t sleep, get more headaches, find yourself biting your nails or having upset stomachs (or worse—develop an ulcer, break out in hives) it is time to hit the bricks. No job is worth your health.

Your spouse/sweetheart/friends start worrying about you. The people closest to you really can see the forest for the trees when you can’t. If they express concern or point out that you’ve been argumentative, short-tempered, or distracted a lot lately, look to the situation where you spend much of your time—work–and think about changing jobs.

Something big happened in your world. You got married or are having or adopting a baby, your elderly parents need your help…such changes require a review of your current job. Do the hours, salary and requirements of it still fit in your life or is it time to move on?

The company’s future looks grim. You don’t have to be a rat to desert a sinking ship. The days of lifelong company loyalty are over. If people are getting laid off or downsized all around you, if you can’t keep track of the players (management) without a scorecard, if you’re on your on your third boss and second reorganization in a year—consider becoming a rodent and find a new ship.

You get offered a great job. Opportunity doesn’t always knock more than once and you wouldn’t be offered this wonderful new job if you didn’t deserve it. So investigate the situation thoroughly (don’t just be dazzled by the salary and perks) and, if it all adds up—go for the gold!

If you’ve decided it’s time for you to quit your job, let Arrow Staffing help you find the perfect new one.

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