Your job can almost feel like a long-term relationship - it’s comfortable, you know the routine and you can do it with your eyes closed.

So, how do you tell the difference between being comfortable and coasting? Jumping ship can be daunting but what’s worse is not experiencing growth in your role and even worse, not seeing a future.

Here’s a couple of things to look out for if you are thinking the grass might be greener:

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• When was your last promotion/pay rise?
• Do you receive regular reviews?
• Do you have projects you are working on that excite you?
• Is there anyone in the business that you look up to or feel inspired by?
• Do you have a clear pathway of progression?
• Do you feel challenged each day?
   

If you answered no to more than 3 of the above, then it may be time to start exploring other options. I would always suggest expressing your concerns to HR or your line manager before you start writing up your resignation though, as with clear communication there may be ways to implement positive change in your current role, plus your manager will be grateful you spoke up.

However, if you have already gone down this route and you haven’t seen any change then you are well within your rights to begin the process. The first step is being able to identify what your current situation is lacking. This can be related to the work itself not being engaging enough, lack of company culture, lack of training and development or to do with remuneration and promotion.

Once you have identified what part of the current role isn’t fulfilling your needs you can then begin your search with a clear idea of what you are looking for next. This will benefit you in being able to ask the right questions in early interview stages.

Now it’s time to dust off your CV. If you need any advice on this, speak to a trusted recruiter or consult a careers advisor. Also, ensure your LinkedIn reflects your CV and your photo is professional yet approachable.

Approaching the job search empowered by what you are looking to do next means you are in control. Feel free to approach companies you admire directly with a tailored introduction including why you feel you would be an asset to their team (be as creative as you like to catch their eye!). I would recommend working closely with 1-2 trusted recruiters who are specialists in your industry as they will be able to present options they know would be best suited, based on your skills and personality. Make sure to be upfront with them with what you are looking for. The benefit here is that they will be able to tell you if your aspirations are achievable and in line with your industry – I know we all want the highest salary and a waterfront office, but we do need to be realistic!

Lastly, don’t burn bridges. Be open with your current employer about the reasons you are moving on and reference previous meetings where your concerns weren’t addressed. If anything, this will mean you are leaving them with valuable information on how they can improve their business.

It will feel uncomfortable and almost like you are cheating at first but once you walk out that door and into a more suitable environment, trust me, you won’t look back!

If you need confidential advice on how your next career move could look, get in touch with the iknowho team today to discuss the opportunities available to you!