12 Signs You Need a New Job

Updated July 22, 2022

A great job that challenges you regularly and creates opportunities for professional growth will help set you up for more rapid career advancement. If you aren't getting these things from your current job, however, it may be time to consider finding a new position elsewhere.

Deciding to change jobs takes thoughtful reflection and self-assessment. In this article, we explore 12 signs that you may need a new job and offer some tips about how you can get started finding a new role right away.

Why is it important to know when you need a new job?

If you are unhappy with your career or seeing no professional growth, that can impact all areas of your life, from your health to your advancement opportunities. While it's not uncommon to experience some temporary dissatisfaction at work, if you have gone as far as you can in your current position or the stress of your role is impacting your health, it may be time for a change.

By knowing when it's the right time to leave your job, you could obtain new opportunities where you are challenged regularly and do have opportunities for advancement and growth.

12 signs you need a new job

Here are some signs that it may be time to consider pursuing an opportunity elsewhere:

You're often bored.
There are no promotional opportunities.
The workplace isn't positive.
The organizational chart frequently changes.
Your health is being impacted.
You feel replaceable.
You're thinking about finding a new job already.
Your sleep patterns have been disrupted.
You're questioning the company's ethics.
Your company is losing its top talent.
Your role has never grown.
You're usually unmotivated.

Related: The Essential Job Search Guide

1. You're often bored

People often need to be challenged regularly to feel engaged with their work. If you're experiencing chronic boredom, you should consider asking for more challenging assignments. If the employer cannot provide the level of challenge you need to stay engaged, you may want to consider moving on. Boredom at work increases the likelihood of mistakes, which can reflect poorly on you and potentially create problems for your employer.

2. There are no promotional opportunities

According to studies, the primary reason that people leave their jobs is for career advancement. Long-term goals help you to stay focused and continue moving forward in your career. If there are no opportunities for growth and advancement, you may want to consider seeking opportunities with greater opportunities for growth.

3. The workplace isn't positive

While moments of conflict in the workplace can happen, continuous conflict can impact your performance and enthusiasm for your work. If the problem lies with a few employees, that can be remedied. If the conflict is more pervasive, though, you may want to consider making a job change.

4. The organizational chart frequently changes

While some change is necessary and can actually improve a company's operations, frequent restructuring is a sign that the leadership doesn't have a carefully planned out strategy. The uncertainty that can be created by frequent change can make employees nervous, adversely affecting their confidence in the company's leadership and making them less engaged at work.

5. Your health is being impacted

Your physical health is sometimes an indicator of mental health, so experiencing frequent colds or regular headaches can indicate that your job is impacting your health. Stress can also impact your appetite. It causes some people to lose their appetite entirely, while others may eat more than usual. Ultimately, if your health is being adversely affected by job stress, you need to find a way to alleviate stress or consider finding a new job.

6. You feel replaceable

Everyone wants to work somewhere they feel their talents and skills are appreciated. If you feel that you are treated as though you're replaceable and that your efforts are not appreciated the way they could be, it may be time to find an organization that values you for who you are and what you have to offer.

7. You're thinking about finding a new job already

Even if you've never given the idea serious consideration, just thinking about looking for a new job elsewhere can be a sign that you aren't fully satisfied in your career. If this sounds familiar, you may want to make a list of pros and cons and think through what you enjoy about your work and what you'd like to change.

8. Your sleep patterns have been disrupted

Quality sleep can be an integral part of your overall health. If you're getting poor sleep, it can impact the perception of your role and make a challenging situation worse. If you find that you have difficulty getting to sleep or that you're waking up in the night thinking about your job, it may be time to consider making a change, especially if the disruption in sleep has been going on for some time.

9. You're questioning the company's ethics

A company must value honesty and ethics. If you feel that something is happening at work that is unethical—or worse, illegal—then you need to leave. If you suspect that something unethical is happening with the way the company is being operated, trust your intuition and leave.

10. Your company is losing its top talent

If you notice that the most talented employees within the company are leaving, it can be a sign that your company isn't taking the necessary steps to retain them or that the organization is struggling financially. If you notice a pattern of employees leaving—beyond a normal turnover rate—it may be time to consider doing the same.

11. Your role has never grown

The goal of every position is generally to grow, pushing your boundaries with new assignments and new responsibilities. If you have been in your role for some time and haven't had the opportunity to take on additional responsibilities, you may want to consider looking for opportunities elsewhere.

12. You're unmotivated

While it's normal to feel unmotivated some days, if you find yourself consistently unmotivated or disinterested in your work, it can be an indicator that it's time to look for something else that will get you excited about going to work every day.

Tips to find a new job

If you feel your current role isn't right for you, follow these tips to help you find a new job:

Use your personal network

If there's a specific company you want to work for or an opening that you'd like to interview for, reach out to people in your personal network to see if you are in some way connected to someone who works there. The connection may be able to forward your resume to the hiring manager and give you an advantage over other candidates.

Search daily

Whether it's reviewing new job listings or researching companies in your area, set aside some time every day to look for a job.

Customize your resume for different jobs

As you are applying for different jobs, take note of the skills that are required for each position and the keywords that stand out in the job posting. If applicable, include those keywords in your resume and mention how you have used those skills in prior positions.

Create an online brand

Review the way you present yourself online. Make sure that your professional profiles online are complete, with updated job descriptions, skills and a professional headshot. Most recruiters will review your social and professional profiles online before considering you for an interview.