Communications of the ACM
Ten Signs It May Be Time to Quit Your Job
Credit: PickTheBrain.com
The average IT pro will change employers at least a few times over a typical 20- or 30-year career. Moving on can often be necessary for professional development or financial reasons, but how do you know when it's time to leave? Most experienced IT professionals can relate to having worked too long in at least one job over the course of a career, watching how a great job can seemingly change overnight into a difficult situation. Other times, the epiphany is more of a slow burn that builds up over time. With that in mind, industry professionals weigh in on ways to spot the warning signs that it may be time to quit your day job.
The first signal is when your company appears to be experiencing financial difficulties. Perhaps you notice vendor bills that are normally paid on time aren't any longer or maybe you notice the stock price tumbling. If you aren't getting paid on time, dusting off your resume and preparing for the worst can only be in your best interest. Another signal is if your company stops investing in its employees or stops offering guidance about a clear career path. When you feel like there is room for advancement and your company is supportive when it comes to professional development, it shows in your work. The opposite is true for companies that don't create clear advancement paths or don't help their employees grow professionally.
Sometime the signs are subtle. If you are not being asked to take on high-visibility assignments and your subordinate is now in the spotlight, being asked to lead a major project working directly with your manager, it may be time to leave your job. If your passion is gone and you dread going to work each day, this is an obvious sign that something is wrong. Moreover, if your company has undefined goals and isn't keeping up with the industry, this could be an indicator that it's time to start preparing to leave. If your product is dated or becoming obsolete, or if your competition is a better provider of the service you are offering, this is strong indicator that things are not going in the right direction and it may be time to explore other professional options. If you've noticed an obvious silence from your boss or too many closed-door meetings, it could signal that it's time for you to investigate a change.
From Network World
View Full Article
No entries found