5 signs it is time to jump back on the job search

If you’re starting to get that itch to rewrite your CV or find yourself casually browsing the internet for what jobs are on the market, it may be time to look at how happy you are in your current job. It’s easy to be afraid of the unknown but this often leads to staying in a role that ultimately you don’t enjoy. If you’re umming and ahhing about whether to jump back on the job hunt, here are 5 signs that it might be time for a change.

Living for the weekend:

Do you spend most of your weekend dreading the inevitable roll around of Monday morning? If you are actively using your free time worrying about returning to work it is a clear red flag. This anxiety is also often combined with the ‘thank God it’s Friday’ mindset, whereby you can’t wait for each working day to end, getting you that bit closer to the next weekend. We spend on average 35-40 hours a week in our place of work and it is vital that these hours do not detriment your overall happiness.

You’re bored or not feeling challenged:

One of the signs of a positive working environment is that you feel personal growth and progression. As soon as you no longer feel as if your skills or talents are being put to use, and that your role is not challenging enough it can be very easy to switch off and lose focus. If you find yourself spending more time staring at the clock than trying to satisfy your passion for your role it might be time to move onto something more stimulating.  

You’ve stopped thinking about the long game:

Alongside the need to be challenged in your role comes the want to progress in your career. Climbing the ladder means that you become a more contributive part of your company and the journey should feel rewarding. If you’re no longer thinking about the next step in your career, you might find that changing jobs will allow you to reignite your ambition.

Your relationship with your higher ups:

How is your relationship with your boss or other levels of management? Do you feel you are appreciated and encouraged to push yourself? If your higher ups do not actively make your working environment somewhere you want to grow and allow you the opportunities to do so, it can become easy to get stuck in a rut. It can be made even worse if you find you are unable to express your career ambitions to your boss for fear of being ignored or knocked back.

You work harder than you play:

As enriching as a busy and active work life is, if you find you are putting in excessive overtime such as going into the office on days off, checking your emails regularly outside of work, and losing out on time with friends and family in place of work commitments, you’re at risk of burning yourself out. If you’re not finding your current situation is considerate of your personal time then it might be worth looking at other companies with a better culture for a healthy work/life balance.

For expert advice from the recruitment specialists on any aspect of your career, email consultants@1strecruit.co.uk or call 01534 875444.