There are many different reasons to want to change jobs but it generally boils down to career advancement and improved learning and/or pay. The question most often struggle with is, when is the right time to look for a new job? This varies for everyone in accordance with their ambitions, work-life priorities and professional goals. Remember before you start searching elsewhere it’s important to discuss your career options with your current employer – there could be an internal move that is perfect for you.

Here are some signs it could be the right time to consider your career options:

You’re ready for a career change

Sometimes it’s not them, it’s you! Perhaps your skills are not being utilised, maybe you’re not being financially or personally rewarded. There are many reasons your career path can runaway from you and thus you become ready for a change.

You’re too comfortable

It’s easy to stagnate at work when you’re good at your job and you get paid well; you get stuck on auto pilot and coast through. You will begin to enjoy your work less and less as it becomes more repetitive, less challenging and you will move further away from your career goals. At this point it’s probably worth considering another job.

You’re not learning or developing

Gaining new skills and experience is actually a massive part of job satisfaction and also helps you to further your career. You may find your current skills and experience allows you to do your job with ease but unless you’re developing new skillsets and learning/growing, over a long period of time this can leave a skills gap on your CV. As a result you may not be able to attain a significant pay rise.

You’re being headhunted

If you’re receiving calls and emails from recruitment agencies for specific roles, why not hear the opportunity if it suits? Employers often use agencies like ours to hire the best Finance industry talent, when in-house applications are not meeting their standard. As a specialist finance recruiter operating within media, marketing services, tech and lifestyle brands sectors we are networked to a wide ranging talent pool and can always suggest some ideal candidates to agencies.

You require flexibility

Through out your career there will be times when you require additional flexibility to help work-life balance. For instance you may have childcare commitments which require you to customise your hours or you may have a long commute to work and wish to cut down travel and time costs by working from home some days.

Many employers will accommodate flexible working requests but some will not. If it is the case where your request is denied then you will need to assess how much of a priority they are to you. If by denying your request your employer is making your life very difficult – it may be time to consider other options?

When do you think it’s time to consider your career options? Share your thoughts below. Or did this article hit home and you want to consider other job options? If so give us a call; 0203 008 5185.