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The unfortunate reality of the working world these days is pretty stark. Experiences of job loss, promotions without pay, performance increases that amount to less than the cost of inflation, bad bosses, no growth or development, burnout... it can feel bleak.
As humans, we seek comfort. We want to avoid risk beyond our comfort level and we tend to linger in spaces and places longer than we should for the sake of maintaining our comfort. We tell ourselves things like:
"Other companies aren't any better than where I'm at."
"No one else is going to hire for me for the salary I make now."
"It's not a good time to search for a job."
"Things aren't that bad here."
"I finally just learned this role and I can coast for a while."
I get it, when the world feels broken, it's easy to lean in and cling to comfort. We want to protect ourselves and often fear that if we start over, we may fail. The reality is that comfort may be robbing you of growth, advancement, and being paid for the value you bring.
Does that mean everyone should quit their jobs in the pursuit of something better? Of course not.
It does mean that if any of the following are true, you may want to start looking in the market to see what exists and what aligns with your goals.
Comfort often comes at the expense of growth and opportunity. While not everyone needs to immediately jump ship, it's crucial to recognize when it's time to move on.
Sign #1: You've been with your company for >3-5 years and you've only received annual increases of <3% (or you haven't received any increases at all).
If you've been with your company for more than 3-5 years and you haven't received a promotion and you haven't received increases that outpace inflation, you might be underpaid. A 2022 Pew Research study found that the majority of job seekers see an increase when changing jobs.
It’s not simply the average pay increase that’s inviting, either. Most workers surveyed reported a cost-of-living raise averaging 2.1% from their current employer. On the other hand, workers changing jobs report a nearly 10% increase in their current earnings, making job-hopping a potentially lucrative career choice.
At first glance, small increases may not feel like much, but when you compound the impact of earning a few hundred to a few thousand dollars more over time, the increases have significant impact on earnings over time.
Let's say someone currently earns $75,000 annually and decides to move to a new job that pays $83,000 annually. That's a salary increase of $8,000 per year.
Now, let's assume this person decides to invest the extra income in a diversified portfolio with an average annual return of 7%. Here's how the investment could grow over time:
First Year:
Additional Income: $8,000
Total Investment: $8,000
Second Year:
Additional Income: $8,000
Total Investment: $16,000
After 5 Years:
Total Investment: $40,856
After 10 Years:
Total Investment: $87,935
After 20 Years:
Total Investment: $227,396
After 30 Years:
Total Investment: $532,899
So, by simply investing the salary increase of $8,000 annually, over time, this person could potentially accumulate a significant amount of wealth. Increasing your earnings through job changes and investing the difference, can lead to long-term financial growth.
Sign #2: Your job causes high levels of stress that impacts your mental health and overall wellbeing.
Work stress can have profound effects on both our physical and mental well-being, and it can also impact your personal relationships. When you've experienced chronic stress at work it leads to burnout, anxiety, and depression, affecting not only our productivity but also our overall quality of life.
Prolonged exposure to high levels of stress can contribute to health problems such as hypertension, insomnia, and even cardiovascular disease.
Stress can strain relationships with colleagues and loved ones. When you come home depleted, it's hard to pour into others. As parents, spouses, caregivers, partners, friends... we often prioritize everyone else around us and neglect ourselves. We brush off excessive stress, blame ourselves, or feel resentment over toxic workplaces.
Recognizing the signs of excessive stress, such as constant fatigue, irritability, or a sense of disillusionment with work, is essential. Making the decision to seek a new job that offers a healthier work environment and better work-life balance can be a proactive step toward prioritizing your mental and physical health.
Sign #3: You don't have any development opportunities or a succession plan in your company.
Feeling stuck in a dead-end job with no development or succession plan in sight can be incredibly disheartening and demotivating. You're working hard, contributing to the team, and fulfilling your responsibilities, but you get no recognition or development to grow.
Your manager is busy putting out fires and can't give you the coaching and development you need to promote. Every time a promotion opportunity comes up, you're told you're not qualified, you aren't strategic, or that you're needed where you are.
Without opportunities for growth and advancement, you'll find yourself trapped in a perpetual cycle of monotony and frustration. Without the chance to acquire new skills, take on greater responsibilities, or advance to higher positions, you struggle to see a future within the organization.
Considering a job change becomes not only a means of escaping stagnation but also a critical step toward realizing your goals and pursuing opportunities for professional development and fulfillment elsewhere.
Sign #4: Your voice is no longer respected or valued at the table (or your seat at the table has been taken away).
When your voice is no longer valued or respected at work, it has major implications for your sense of worth and belonging within the organization. Research in organizational psychology has consistently shown that feeling unheard or marginalized in the workplace can lead to decreased job satisfaction, diminished morale, and increased turnover intentions.
A study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology (2023) highlighted the importance of perceived voice—that is, the belief that your opinions and ideas matter—in shaping how you feel about work and how you show up in your job. When individuals feel that their contributions are disregarded or dismissed, they may become disengaged and less motivated to actively participate in organizational initiatives.
The erosion of trust and respect in interpersonal relationships can create a toxic work environment characterized by resentment and apathy. Seeking new employment opportunities where your voice is valued and respected can be essential for maintaining a sense of dignity, autonomy, and professional fulfillment.
Always bring a folding chair, but know when it's time to pack up your chair and move it to a new table.
If you read this article and your gut is screaming that it's time to move on, reach out to us for a totally free, no obligation career strategy call. We'll talk about where you are, where you want to go, and build a plan to get there.
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