3 April 2024
We all experience good and bad times at work. When the latter starts to linger, it often leads us to reconsider our place in the company and wonder if the grass might be greener elsewhere. However, changing jobs has a significant impact on our lives: how can you recognize the signs that it's time to move on? What questions should you really ask yourself before taking the plunge? On the company side, the desire to prevent these signs from appearing can significantly reduce employee turnover.
Reflecting on your situation
Work life is full of highs and lows. While it's preferable to enjoy your professional life daily, we all go through less rosy periods due to major workloads, stress, a new colleague you don't get along with, or conversely, a period of low activity that is not stimulating. Too many bad days can make us consider leaving the company to explore new options. When faced with such a crucial life decision, it's essential to take an objective look at the situation.
Why is this assessment so important?
It helps you distinguish between a temporary rough patch at work and a long-term situation where you no longer recognize yourself. This will either reassure you about the necessity of continuing your journey within another company or encourage you to go freelance, depending on your professional aspirations. Freelancing, offering more freedom, is increasingly appealing to new generations of workers.
Telltale signs
Fortunately, some signs can alert you to the need to continue your path elsewhere. What are these signs that should raise alarms?
1. A Professional environment that no longer suits you
The pandemic has dramatically changed the work world, forcing companies to adapt to survive. Whether it's about the pace, flexibility regarding remote work, office layout changes, or the opposite, closing spaces for better team concentration, they have evolved, and so have your expectations. Companies struggling to accommodate these changes will find it difficult to retain employees who wish to thrive in the "new normal."
2. A lack of stimulation
Your tasks and responsibilities have become boring, and you feel like you're no longer learning daily. You think you've exhausted what the job has to offer and feel very little stimulation in return. What do you want to learn? What tasks would you like to handle? Can the company adjust your role or offer training that could lead to new responsibilities? If not, reflect on your expectations. You don't want to end up experiencing bore-out...
3. Unfulfilling or toxic professional relationships
Professional relationships significantly impact workplace well-being. Unfortunately, you don't always meet your future colleagues or supervisors during the interview process. If you don't get along with your professional surroundings or witness conflicts within your team, discuss it to see if things can be improved. If not, and you go to work with a knot in your stomach or fear addressing an angry or manipulative superior, remember: you don't have to endure this and can offer your services to a company that will appreciate them.
4. Poor work-life balance
You check your work emails in the evening and can't leave your stress at the office. Whether you're so passionate about your job that you frequently exceed your contracted work hours or your workload prevents you from enjoying your days, a lack of balance between personal and professional life is never healthy in the long term. If despite measures on your part (e.g., time reorganization, optimizing team meetings, more delegation) the situation doesn't change and seems structural, it's time to reflect.
5. A lack of meaning preventing you from thriving
Thriving in your job is more than a trend. If you don't identify with your tasks or constantly question why you're in this role, the grass will likely be greener elsewhere. A job where you are fully aligned with your daily activities does exist (we assure you at Heads & Hunters).
Best practices for changing jobs
You've taken stock and decided: you're looking for another job. Here are some tips to optimize the transition:
- Decide on your job search method: do it while working or quit to have more time?
- Budget to ensure you can manage this transition: many get discouraged at this stage. Finances are important, so prepare and take the plunge!
- Think about the type of job that will fulfill you and focus your search on positions whose sectors, missions, and values resonate with you.
- Set short and long-term goals for this change: how will this new job meet your objectives? Allow yourself to have a vision.
Conclusion
Taking the leap is worth it! We assure you: prioritizing meaningful work ensures that candidates find the company that truly suits them, like a perfect match.
At Heads & Hunters, we take a different approach than traditional sector players. Our recruitment and selection methodology allows us to offer a unique service tailored to each situation. Human connections are what truly matter.
