Most of us are loyal to where we work, but when is enough is enough? When do we move on to find a new opportunity? Or should there comes a time where a better opportunity presents itself, should you take it, or you play the safe card and stay where you are comfortable at?

As a recruiter, I would like to share some of the real-life scenarios that I came across which may help you or someone make a realistic decision in one’s carrier path.

At the beginning of my carrier, I was always surprised and doubtful when I received a resume where someone has been with the same company for more than 10 -20 years – yet wanted to move on to a new company. The question always in my mind was “Why”. Why does someone want to move on from a stable position that they ever had. Better pay maybe? But there are other reasons that I have heard so many times that I would like to put it out there. Below are some real-life scenarios/reasons that I have compiled.

Lack of Career Growth:

This is the most common reason that I always hear during the interviews. They had been with the company so long that they have reached the top in their departments. Often times I hear that they feel stagnant and wanting to do something similar with some opportunities for growth. This is often the case of midsized organizations where room for growth diminishes once you are at a certain level. The bigger organizations have more room for growth between departments where smaller and mid-size organizations cannot afford this. I have placed a handful of candidates like this in a bigger and better place, so that they can thrive.

Overlooked For Promotion:

This is the second most common reason that I hear from the talent pool. For example, I was talking to someone in the maintenance field in an automotive industry who had been with the same company for 15 years. When I asked the reason why he is looking for a job change now – the answer, was straight forward. He has been an assistant maintenance supervisor for the last 7 years without any promotion or pay rise. The company he worked for often brings new talent in and have him train them for the same pay or in some cases more pay for less work. It is fair that companies look for new talent with new educational qualifications, but in my opinion, experience should preside over education as well. If you are in a situation like this and if you see a better opportunity for growth, I will highly recommend you to seize it. If a company doesn’t see your value, I think it is time for a change.

Leaders Tuning Out Managers:

This scenario is becoming more and more common these days. Not all managers are evil, often these individuals have earned their way to their managerial positions. They have once worked on the floor themselves, and bring the firsthand experience that a company could ask for. The experience from these managers should be valued the most. They know the floor, and they know the struggle that their team is facing. If the upper management or the leadership team is tuning out the managers, then comes the barrier for communication within the organization. I have heard this a handful of times that these managers often feel terrible for leaving the people under them with the unfortunate deafened leadership teams. If the leaders are not leading you to success, then perhaps they are not the leaders that you should follow.

Frequent Management Changes:

Companies change hands all the time. It is evidently common. But should a company change hands on a regular basis, then you doubt your job security in that company, correct? I hear from many applicants that their company has changed hands many times, and this will result in new management with new views and goals. This often results in constant changes throughout the organization. This also creates confusion and a lack of accountability for actions on the floor. Believe me, constant changes create toxic work culture even with a tightly knitted team. People need clarity, stability, and security. One should always look out for these things in a situation like this.

If You Know: You Know:

Apart from the above-mentioned things, I do hear on rare occasions that candidates have said to me that they just don’t feel like going to their work at their company anymore. This is something that I do understand from my personal experience. If you have come to a point where you don’t want to get up because you have to want to go to work – then you know you have an issue. I guarantee that it is not a physical impairment, it is just that “it does not feel right”. There is no excitement anymore, you do not feel accomplished every day at work! This is when you play your “safe card” – you keep the job that you have but start looking for something exciting.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, recognizing when the time is ripe for growth and change in your career is a deeply personal decision. While change can be daunting, it can also lead to an exciting new opportunity for growth, fulfillment, and career advancement. Ultimately, if you find yourself at a crossroads where your current role no longer aligns with your aspirations or values, don’t hesitate to explore new opportunities, and seize the chance to embark on a new chapter in your career journey. Goodluck!