10 signs you should quit your job

Are you always stressed about work? Do you have a boss or colleagues from hell? Do you feel like an outcast at the office? If you can’t remember the last good day you’ve had at work, it might be time to seriously consider quitting your job.

For some people, recognizing when it’s time to leave a job can be quite clear—but for others it’s not always that evident. Jeff Campin, Partner in The Mason Group’s Contract Division, says some employees know when it’s time for a change “because they are able to quickly recognize when their job no longer aligns with their long-term career goals. But that’s just one of the signs it might be time for you to move on,” he adds.

According to our research, here are 10 signs that your job isn’t a good fit anymore—meaning it’s time for you to either see how you can improve the situation or start looking for new opportunities.

1. You feel unchallenged and underutilized.

Whether you’ve been passed over for a promotion, have skills that are continuously untapped by your manager, or are beginning to feel as if you could do your job in your sleep, it might be time to seek out some more challenging and fulfilling opportunities.

2. You lack passion for your job.

You may not love every single task related to your position (that’s perfectly normal, of course) but you do need to have a certain level of passion and excitement for the work that you’re doing.

Perhaps you felt that spark and energy in the beginning, but it’s since faded. Or, maybe you were never that excited about the job to begin with. Either way, having a career that fulfills your professional goals and interests is important in order to feel truly satisfied.

If that’s not the case, consider moving on. “If you’re not waking up most days with a feeling of excitement towards your job, you will never tap your true potential,” says Campin.

3. You can’t shake your negative attitude.

For better or for worse, your job has a large impact on your overall outlook and attitude. So, if you constantly catch yourself getting annoyed by the smallest things, or experience exhaustion and a general lack of interest in things that used to interest you, your current job might be sending you into a negative downward spiral.

If that’s the case, it’s best to get out and find something that suits you better—before you experience a major case of job burnout.

4. Your job is consuming your life.

Is your current job consuming all of your thoughts, energy, and free time? If you’re constantly working late nights, and can’t remember the last time you were able to enjoy a meal without compulsively refreshing your work inbox on your phone, do yourself a favour and begin to search for an opportunity that offers better work-life balance.

Yes, work is a major part of your life—but that doesn’t mean it should be your whole life.

5. Stress is negatively affecting your health.

Work-related stress can have a very negative impact on your mental, physical, and emotional health. Your friends and family might be affected by this too. If your job is causing you a great deal of tension and anxiety, both inside and outside of the office, it’s time to get out before you experience a major case of burnout.

Stress can manifest itself in numerous different ways, so it’s important to recognize the signs early on. If you are losing or gaining weight, experiencing fatigue, insomnia, sharp body pain, or are having anxiety attacks and consistent feelings of sadness, it’s time for you to consider finding a new job that doesn’t negatively impact your well being.

6. You dislike your colleagues or your boss.

The average professional spends more time at work than they do with friends and family. So, there’s no denying that it’s best to actually get along with the people you work with.

In the long run, the negative attitude your boss and your colleagues have towards you can start to affect your work and other important aspects of your personal life as well. You can always try to work out the problems you’re having with colleagues or your manager—but know that sometimes they’re just not fixable.

7. You feel nervous about the company’s future.

There have been many closed-door meetings and hushed whispers around the office. There has already been one round of layoffs, and now everyone is uneasy about whether or not there’ll be more.

Trying to stay focused in a company where everything feels up in the air can be near impossible. So, if you’re seriously concerned about the financial stability and future security of your employer, it might be best to get out before you don’t have another choice.

8. You don’t trust the leadership.

Perhaps your boss has made a few requests that make you feel uneasy. Or, maybe you suspect that the company is involved in a few unethical activities.

If you’ve lost trust in management, it may be time for you to exit and find a new employer.

9. You don’t believe in your company.

If your goals, interests, and values no longer align with those of your employer, it’s time for you to consider searching for an opportunity where you can feel more in tune.

Finding purpose and meaning in your work and being aligned with your company’s culture and overall values is important to feeling fulfilled and satisfied in your career.

10. You have a gut feeling.

Sometimes you just know when a job isn’t working out for you. Your stomach is tied into knots when you think about work, and that little voice in your head is telling you it’s time to find greener pastures.

That’s your gut feeling, and it can be an undeniably powerful influencer when it comes to your career. So, if you’ve been having doubts for a while, you might want to listen to that voice that’s telling you to move on.

You might also like:

WHEN TO TAKE A NEW JOB OFFER

WARNING SIGNS A JOB OPPORTUNITY MIGHT NOT BE ALL IT SEEMS TO BE