How do you know?

Have you found yourself in a situation where it feels like you are regularly going around in circles on this topic, changing your mind from one day to the next, relitigating pros and cons in your mind. Should you stay in your current job....or move on?

So, how do you know when it is the right time to move on from your current employer?

Bearing in mind that leaving includes everything from the decision to leave, right up until the time that you actually leave. The reality is that once you’ve decided to go, emotionally you have probably already left. 

The obvious answer right now might be “Not when we are in the middle of a global pandemic!”

This may or may not be the right answer for you. Recent research commissioned by ING indicated that more than three million Australians are considering a post-COVID career change. Often, when there is crisis or disruption, it is the very best time to consider your options.

Psychologist, Jo Fitzgerald, says that when you decide to leave a company, it’s typically because you are either running away from something, or running to something. Wise words, and certainly might explain why you find you are full of discontent, and yet unwilling to make the move....just yet.

Certainly not a decision to be taken lightly or made impulsively, so what are some clear evidence points that the time has come for you to move on. Let’s put aside the obvious one which is when you’ve been asked to leave!

1. When you have exhausted all opportunities for lateral and upwards growth where you are. You are no longer challenged by your role and find you are intellectually bored at work.

2. When you don’t support the direction the company is going in or key decisions that have been taken and you are unable to get beyond that. In other words, are you able to dissent, speak your mind, and then show solidarity and support ....or not? If you can’t, then leaving as soon as you are able to is the best option. There is a well worn corporate saying which is “Are you on the bus? Or off the bus?” While overused, it’s nonetheless true. One foot on and one foot off the bus will never end well.

3. When you hate not just going to work, but also being at work. Not just your regular Monday-itis but a complete lack of engagement that you cannot see being resolved.

4. When you are not being adequately remunerated relative to market rates. This assumes that you have gone through all reasonable avenues to have this addressed and have not been successful. Any other benefits you receive as a result of working for your current employer are insufficient to offset the inadequacy of your remuneration.

5. When you have been offered a compelling role elsewhere that meets both your short and medium term objectives. You’ve done your own due diligence and it is the right move for you.

Leaving an employer, particularly when you have been there for a number of years is not always an easy decision to make and therefore removing emotion from the thinking process is pretty important. Think of it like you would a purchase or investment. Can I afford to do this from a financial/career/work life balance perspective? Who can be an independent reference on this for me and check my thinking? 

And once you have made your decision, whether you are staying or going, it’s time to make a plan!

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