Not long after I left my last job, a friend contacted me to ask for some professional advice. Specifically, she wanted to know how I knew it was time to leave that job. Instead of discussing my personal experiences, none of which may be relevant to her situation, I encouraged her to ask herself some tough questions.
1. Do you feel successful?
If the answer is no, you have to start considering your next move.
2. Can you afford to leave?
I’m not only talking about your salary. When a lot of companies are still cutting back, if you work for a company that offers benefits like a 401K match or health care, you’re probably sitting pretty. So, if this answer is no, it may unfortunately cancel the answer to the first question, at which point you should ask yourself a third question.
3. Can you change anything about your current situation to feel more successful?
Don’t feel limited by the constraints of your position. If you have a boss who seems invested in your success, ask him or her if you can take on some new responsibilities. You can change your own role, and thereby change your experience with the company.
It’s important to understand that no position is cookie cutter, unless you want it to be. With some passion, dedication and hard work you can define your own success. If the environment doesn’t exist in which you can effectively do this – that’s when you know when to quit.
