Is it time to change jobs?

For Generation X women it was often the norm to either stay with the same employer for decades or to give up work entirely following a career break – whether to raise a family or for other reasons.

Yet as times have changed the average length of time that people stay with a company is only a few years.

"This cultural shift benefits women, as it’s more acceptable now to leave a position for other opportunities," said Sally Martin, Director at Robert Walters.

"You have far less reason to stay in a negative workplace or unfulfilling role, when there are potentially more fulfilling roles available elsewhere. The question is, what are the signs that it is the right time to change jobs?" 

Lack of recognition or promotion

If you’ve been working hard on projects and working overtime, working on weekends and through your lunch  breaks yet are overlooked when a senior vacancy arises it is not good for your morale.

There could be many reasons for someone else being offered that you’d have liked, but it could be a sign that your efforts aren’t being valued by those in senior management.

While it could seem risky, it might be worth stating your desire to fulfil your potential in order to spur your seniors into action. If this doesn’t work, maybe it’s time to look for a new role.

Feeling undermined

In the past you may have held important responsibilities, had numerous direct reports and had a say on major decisions or significant budgets, yet either following a period of maternity leave or for no reason at all, things have changed.

You may feel excluded from meetings or that you’re given more junior tasks than you used to and maybe you’re being asked provide more regular updates on your activities. This definitely indicates that you’re being taken less seriously and while it could be related to performance, personality differences or something completely beyond your control, it’s not nice to feel less valued or respected.

When your work life balance disappears

It can be difficult to leave your work at work, particularly if you work in a high pressure, fast-paced environment. But bringing work home is essentially the same as always being at work, and isn’t good for your health and wellbeing.

When your work life balance disappears you not only have no down time, but in the long run it will lower your productivity levels because you’ve had no mental respite. If there’s no way of rectifying this, by working more flexible hours or by delegating tasks so you can switch off, it could be worth a change of job.