Should you leave your job in 2024?

If you spent much of your Christmas break dreading the inevitable return to work, don’t ignore that feeling. Here are 8 signs it’s time to move on in 2024.

Sometimes, deciding to leave your job is the only viable option – either because staying will damage your health in some way, or won’t allow your career to progress. 

Here are some of the tell-tale indications that it’s time to move on. If any of them apply to you, make sure you take appropriate action – and check our list below to make your action plan. 

#1. Weaker work performance 

Are you finding you’re not as productive at work as you once were, despite being perfectly capable of completing the tasks expected of you? Such a clear lack of motivation could well mean you don’t just need a holiday, you need to leave your job.

#2. Your skills aren’t being maximised

This is another red flag. Not being acknowledged for what you have to offer can take various forms. Maybe you’ve not got that promotion you set your heart on, or your requests for more challenging tasks have fallen on deaf ears.

It may be that you are being given less demanding jobs than you once were. Start your hunt for a new opportunity. 

#3. You’re no longer doing what you love

How much excitement and passion do you feel for your job when you wake up in the morning? Do you feel the same as you did when you first started?

Does it fire you up to think of all the possibilities in the day ahead and how you will contribute? 

It’s going to be extremely hard to reach full potential if you’re not doing a job you genuinely love. It will become ‘just a job’ – and every day will start to feel even more of a grind. 

#4. Stress at work is having an impact on your health and wellbeing 

If being at your job is starting to have a negative effect on your mental and/or physical health, you probably need to get out.

Clearly most jobs have stress of some kind, but it shouldn’t consume you when you’re not at work. Nor should it start to have an impact on those closest to you.

If you’re beginning to feel like this, always stressed or feeling negative and miserable at work and home, it really is time to leave your job. 

#5. Problems with the people you work with 

We spend more time with colleagues than friends or even family members, so there are bound to be issues sometimes.

But if there are problems with your colleagues or boss that you feel you will never be able to resolve, a working relationship has become toxic, or you simply start to feel that you don’t fit the company’s culture anymore, don’t hang around. 

#6. Your role isn’t as important as it was

It could be time to go if the structure of your workplace is changing so that your function is being marginalised.

Even if you can hang on to your job in such a situation, it will be hard for you to feel motivated, or to have an impact. Go somewhere your skills will be used and where you feel appreciated. 

Of course, deciding to leave your job, especially one you’ve been in a long time, can seem daunting. Sometimes, things at work can’t be fixed – so you have no choice.

#7. You’re always worrying about money

It’s normal to have money worries, we all do from time to time. But if you’re not spending wrecklessly and still finding yourself stretched, you may not be earning enough.

Take a look at similar roles in your industry – sometimes there can be a surprising gap between what one employer’s willing to pay over another. Even £5k can make a significant difference.

#8. There’s no opportunity for growth

If you’ve been in the role for a over two years and you can’t see any opportunities for advancement, that’s your final sign. Professional growth is an important part of any role, otherwise it’s easy to stagnate. 

If you’ve nodded to more than a couple of these things, here’s what to do next:

New Job Checklist

  1. Get our eBook from Amazon where we’ll walk you through everything you need to do to get your dream job – and keep it
  2. Think about and re-assess your career goals
  3. Re-do your CV to give you the best chances of success
  4. Enlist the support of a specialist recruitment consultancy
  5. Start the hunt, avoiding these 7 common job-hunting mistakes
  6. Explore new industries that could be immensely rewarding
  7. When the time’s right, here’s how to quit your job graciously

Good luck, and remember – you’re not alone.

About A and D Recruitment 

A&D Recruitment is a vibrant, independent employment agency specialising in Renewable Energy & Building Services sectors. 

Founded by recruitment experts Alessia and Darren Williams, A&D Recruitment has successfully placed candidates in a diverse range of roles since 2005.  

To get in contact call 01743 247774 or email on info@aanddrecruitment.co.uk 

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