Is a job change right for you?

As recruiters, we know that up to 70% of the workforce are passive (not actively seeking employment) so in recent years there has been a growing need for companies and recruiters to approach those not looking for work to fill their job roles! The chances are… you are a passive candidate and this could be a read for you!

You aren’t earning enough or have seen comparable jobs with a higher salary that your boss won’t match.

Probably sounds obvious as the main reason most of us go to work is to get paid, and we all want to be paid our value. But it is easy to get stuck in the rhythm of familiarity, particularly at work, so if you aren’t being paid as you should be and your benefits aren’t worth the deficit then it would be worth having a look at what is out there.

You don’t feel happy or fulfilled at work and/or want a challenge.

It quite often creeps up on us, that we are no longer fulfilled or challenged by our jobs. Then it ends up being something that you think about for a lot of your working day and work ends up being a slog that you are forcing yourself through. The problem is not only your happiness and satisfaction but your quality of work will also be suffering. It may be that you may need a change of career, not just a change of job, so this is something worth considering.

You aren’t able to advance in the business or feel that there is no more to learn.

If you feel like you have learned all that you can, you are already at the top or there is no promotion available and it’s something that you want then it is definitely time to move on. It is possible you need to work for a larger business that has space for you to keep growing or transferring your current skill set to another company that is able to nurture you and build on what you already know into a wider ranging role.

You are undervalued by your boss/colleagues.

Is your hard work and your efforts going unnoticed? Are you working hard, completing tasks beyond your JD on a regular basis and being taken for granted? It is probably time to see if there is a team that you feel would value your work ethic and skills elsewhere.

Your circumstances have changed and the job no longer fits around your life.

So many things can and will change throughout your life and if you feel that you are trying to force work to fit around it and it isn’t working, you should see if there is something that meets your needs elsewhere. Whether it be more flexible hours, less hours, more money, more holiday, more hours, different shift patterns… the list goes on. 

Your core values are no longer matched by the business.

Whether your views have changed or the views of the business, it is often extremely important to feel like your core values are matched by the place you spend the majority of your time. Although you won’t know if another work place will match your values straight away, often you get a feel for a place at interview and you will have the opportunity to ask questions.

The company you work for is unstable/has gone through substantial changes.

It’s important to feel that your job is secure, uncertainty at work means uncertainty in your personal life. Often companies go through peaks and troughs so it is worth bearing in mind that things may improve again so make sure you are fully informed of what is happening before being certain a move is the right thing for you. 

You are uncomfortable in the work environment/with the company culture.

The working environment may have changed or just may not be what you originally felt it would be when you accepted the role with your company. As you are at work the majority of your life it is important to feel comfortable in the environment that you are in and with the people that surround you. There will always be places out there that fit what you are looking for and that will make you feel comfortable, so if you don’t find it initially, stick with the search.

We would always advise that you speak with your current employer about any issues that you are experiencing or if you feel that you want to leave your current role; they may be able to make changes to accommodate you or fix the problem. Once you have discussed how you are feeling about work with your boss(es) and you still feel that the best decision is to leave, then get applying!

We have lots of advice on our website and will happily offer bespoke advice during our employment support sessions, if you feel that this is something you would be interested in please get in touch.