4 Reasons to Find a New Job this Year

By the time the calendar rolls around and December arrives again, you’ll be waking up and heading off to a brand new office and a brand new set of responsibilities. Here are four reasons to grab the wheel of your professional life and make a swerve…starting now.

1. You’re in a rut…though you may not know it.

Some ruts are painful and distressing, like a low grade headache that just won’t go away. This kind of problem tends to solve itself in time. But other ruts are comfortable, and it’s the comfortable ones you need to watch out for. If you’re in a sleepy little groove and your life is moving forward on autopilot, it’s time to wake up. Sometimes years go by in which employees aren’t learning anything new, they aren’t being challenged in any way, and in some odd cases, they aren’t even “working” in any real sense; they’re just showing up. That kind of situation may feel cozy and safe, but recognize that outside of your cocoon, technology, processes, platforms, and cultural institutions are rapidly evolving. If you fall behind, you’ll suffer a shock when it’s time to jump back into the game.

2. Your salary may not reflect the market value of your work.

You’ve been working for the same company for several years, and if you’ve been accepting the same salary or the same small annual increase each year, your actual wages may have fallen behind those of others in your industry. Do some internet research to make sure you’re getting paid what you’re worth, and if you aren’t, take action. Explore the top high-income skills to learn to maximize your earning potential. 

3. You need some fresh air.

Sometimes coworkers can start to feel like friends over the years, and that’s great. Eventually things may progress a step further, and the people you work with can feel like family. But as most of us know, family relationships can be as supportive as they are stifling. And when it comes to intimacy, it’s possible to have too much of a good thing. If your “family” relationships are holding you back, pushing you to settle, or cramping your style, remember: this isn’t your family at all. This is a place of business.

4. You need to discover some new talents.

You do one thing really, really well. And that one thing is what you do all day, every day. But here’s some news: You’re also great at plenty of other things, some of which you’ve never even tried before. Finding a new job can help you discover the talents you’ve never used, or use the talents you’ve never cultivated…or both. Don’t be afraid! Just step out to the edge of your comfort zone, then cross the line and see what happens.

When you’re ready to shake things up, choose a new path, and launch yourself into a new job and a new life, start by exploring the job search tools available on MyPerfectResume.