Lifestyle
Looking for Lifestyle Exclusives? Get your Cheeky Card!
Now that the holidays are behind us, are you ready for a productive 2013? Or are you already planning out your vacation days?
Here are three signs that you need to add “find a new job” to your to-do list:
1. You’ve mastered your current role.
You’ve been doing what you’re doing for a while now. Well, for too long really. It’s nice to feel confident in your job, but when it starts to get boring and you’re no longer challenged, it means you’re not growing. Time for a change! Where can you learn something new? What new position would allow you to tap into your creativity and stretch your abilities?
2. You don’t want your boss’s job.
Consider what would happen if you received a promotion. Would you be a little nervous but really super excited? Or would your heart sink at the thought of taking on your boss’s responsibilities? Heart-sinkers, take that as a sign that your next move may need to be to a completely different company.
3. Your work/life balance is out of whack. (Balance—what’s that?)
Step away from the Blackberry! If you’re working Devil-Wears-Prada-style, you’re missing out on some amazing parts of life—namely, spending time with people besides your co-workers. And imagine how much happier you’d be if you could fit in regular visits to the gym, real meals (not take-out!) and a good night’s sleep. It’s called taking care of yourself, lady.
If you’re ready to jump ship, polish that résumé and start looking around—quietly. But be sure to line up your next move before putting in your notice. Remember, you’ve got bills to pay, so any job is better than no job. Keep up the good work while you’re job-searching so you don’t burn any bridges and you can leave knowing you gave it your all. And to avoid getting into a similar situation again, have high standards for this next job. Think about the full job description, the team you’ll be working with, company culture, long-term possibilities and work/life balance before accepting the offer.
If you have your eye on another team or role at your company, speak up. Set up time to meet with your boss (the new year is a great time to do so!). Start the conversation with “I’ve been thinking about my career path at the company and my goals for 2013. What do you see for my future?” Be prepared to offer up all your stellar contributions and your interests as far as your next move. A good boss will recognize talent and help you get to the next level.
