If you’re sitting at your desk feeling unmotivated and unsure if you’re in the right job for your IT career goals, it may be time to dust off your resume and start looking for your next role. But how do you know when it’s time to take the leap? We asked our team of IT recruiters what signs you should look for to determine if it’s time to start job searching, and here are their answers.
You’re not learning anything new.
Knowing exactly what to expect in a job day after day may sound great at first, but if you never feel challenged or inspired to learn something new, boredom and unfulfillment can set in. Our brains naturally want to feel challenged, and a healthy amount of problem-solving responsibilities keeps your brain sharp. If you’re not learning anything new in your current IT job, you’re not strengthening your greatest career asset, your brain! In this situation, you should ask yourself if you can find ways to grow your skills in your current role. If the answer is no, it may be time to look for a role where you can continue improving your skill set.
You feel like you’ve reached the ceiling of your career with that company.
What does career growth look like with your current employer? Where do you see yourself within the company in 2, 5, or 10 years? If you are feeling stagnant in your IT career and unsure how you can move up within your current company, try speaking with your manager or the human resources department. If they are unable to provide you with information about career growth opportunities and guide you on how to apply for promotions, you may need to grow your IT career elsewhere.
Your employer is going through a lot of changes and layoffs.
Layoffs happen for a variety of reasons. Sometimes companies need to cut costs, and other times they are pivoting business priorities. If several of your coworkers have been laid off recently, you may be wondering if your job is in jeopardy. Talking about your concerns with your manager may provide some answers, but if they are vague or also seem to be unsure, it’s probably time to start looking for your next IT job opportunity.
You want to experiment with a new type of work.
If you’re interested in working in a new type of role in the IT industry, you may need to look for a new job. First, if you’re happy with your employer, check to see if the company has any open positions that are a fit. If your employer can’t offer the type of work you are looking for, it may be time to start looking for a new position. Since switching to a new type of work can feel a bit overwhelming, you may want to consider contract or contract-to-hire roles with short-term contracts. These types of jobs allow you to test the waters before fully committing to a completely new career path.
Your job is not aligned with your personal priorities.
Working a job that aligns with your personal priorities can feel more fulfilling and provide a stronger sense of career satisfaction. If your company culture doesn’t feel like a good fit or it prevents you from achieving goals outside of work, you may be questioning if it’s the right job for you, even if you like the specific job or the pay. As you contemplate an IT career move, keep in mind that your life and career go hand in hand, and they need to support one another.