It’s relatively easy to change jobs today.
There are tons of remote jobs. That has eliminated the requirement of location in the workforce.
Changing jobs can lead to better opportunities and growth. Both while working within a company and for starting your own or buying your own.
But it can also be a negative thing to change jobs. I remember watching a documentary about the Orlando Magic of the early 1990s. Shaquille O’Neal was interviewed and as he sat thinking about his time with the Magic he momentarily thought that it might have been a good thing if there was still a rule that players couldn’t change teams.
Let’s go over some of the common reasons you might be considering a change job and determine if it’s a good reason or if it’s possibly something to dive into a little deeper…
1. Seven-Year Itch
For whatever reason it seems that relationships hit a breaking point around the 7-year mark. It’s been studied with people and divorce. The divorce rate typically peaks around that 7-year mark. The feeling is that this time period sees people change in noticeable ways.
This happens with many relationships including friendships and working relationships.
A lot can change at work in 7 years. You might be feeling the “itch” to leave because you’ve had time to look around the office and realize that things aren’t the same as they used to be. The studies on marriage have found that couples typically divorce at this time or they decide to fall in love with their “new” partner. Obviously the same person, but one that is now more mature.
It’s not right or wrong to leave a job because of the 7-year itch. It’s important, though, to figure out who the company is now and if it’s the right place for you now and in the future. The former company you knew 7 years ago probably isn’t coming back.
2. More Money
This is a big one. The allure of more money is familiar to us all. And it can be a great reason to leave a job for something new. After all, we only live once. We only have so many good earning years.
This reminds me of the Shaquille O’Neal interview again. He wanted to leave Orlando seemingly for a few reasons. For big money. For a bigger city with more opportunities. Probably for a better chance to win.
He’s looking back as someone that thinks maybe the money wasn’t worth it. It’s a tough call. You have to consider the initial money and how you might be able to stay in the same place and make more in the future as a result of staying.
Could Shaquille have been the king of Orlando with incredible post-career money making opportunities?
Who knows. It’s impossible to know for sure.
Think long-term with money. Do your best to determine if the current job can provide more money. If not, you gotta look elsewhere.
3. Promotion
Sometimes it’s not just about the money. It’s about the opportunity to move up the ladder. To take on more responsibility. Money usually goes along with those opportunities, but some people want to move up. Some are fine staying where they are. Others just want to move.
You see this in sports often as well. Assistant coaches leave for head coaching opportunities. Sometimes it works out great. Many times it doesn’t. Some assistants are best by staying in those roles. Not everybody can be the leader and that’s okay.
You have to determine who you are and what fits you best. And if you’re not sure, sometimes it’s good to figure it out by taking the promotion opportunity.
4. Jealousy
One of the dangerous reasons to change jobs is to start comparing yourself to others. Maybe a friend just got a promotion or changed jobs for seemingly more money or some kind of similar reason.
Most of us feel jealousy throughout our lives. Work is especially an area of issue. As outsiders, though, we only see the surface. We don’t know the real details of the other situation. A friend may get a promotion, but the company could be terrible to work for.
If you’re thinking about changing jobs, take time to consider if you’re doing it for you or to impress others. Even family. You only need to impress yourself.
5. Impatience
It’s easy to feel impatience throughout your work life. This can lead to poor decision making. If you think for some reason that you should be growing in your career faster it can lead to you taking opportunities that won’t be a good fit in the long-term.
Chances are you’re very young. Even if you’re 40, 50 or 60, you still have plenty of time left to live and to work. Ray Kroc didn’t meet the McDonald’s brothers until he was in his 50s.
There will always be opportunities. Do your best to avoid impatience when it comes to choosing.
6. Autonomy
Humans typically want to be in control of themselves. That doesn’t always seem to be the case in a working situation. Some bosses are micro-managers. You might feel the urge to take more control of the way you work. You’re fine having tasks and following some general guidelines, but you like finding new ways to do things.
This can be a good reason to switch jobs. It likely won’t change at your current job, but you have to make sure the new opportunity actually provides more freedom. Talk to current employees.
7. Stress
Stress comes from all sorts of sources. Work is a big one. If you’re stressed, though, it can lead to poor decision making. Take the time to determine the source or sources of stress. That can allow you to figure out the best path forward. You don’t want to change jobs thinking the job is the source when it might be something at home.
It certainly could be your job. In that case, finding a new opportunity is likely the best course of action.
8. Apathy
This is almost always an indication that it’s time to change jobs. You’re going through the motions. You’re collecting the paycheck. You’re putting forth as little effort as possible to keep the status quo. You either have to find motivation to stay at your current job or find a new job that provides what you need for fulfillment.
Start looking for new jobs, but before you leave talk to your boss to see if there is an opportunity for you within the company that might have been overlooked.
9. Co-workers
This one could be a cause for stress. Coworkers can be a big issue at your current job. You have to determine if there is a way to avoid them or if they might be leaving soon. If not, you have to take control of your situation and figure out a way to leave for a better opportunity.
The new job might offer better coworkers, but it might not. Talk to others in the company to see what the culture might be like.
10. New Life Goals
Sometimes as we get into our careers we start reaching a place where we wanted to get. That can lead to the thinking that you’re going to be doing the same thing for several more years. That’s fine for some. Others need to start looking for another mountain to climb. That might lead to new goals or different goals. New challenges. Something totally different.
Don’t throw away your skills and experience entirely. See if you can find another outlet that challenges you while still allowing you to use your skills while learning new ones.
11. Family Pressures
Family is a big reason for a lot of job changes. A spouse has a shakeup with their work. A move might be necessary. You might need or want more time with kids. All kinds of things.
Try your best to assess the situation. Look at long and short-term. Do your best to determine if a job change is good. Then make the decision and go with it confidently.
Final Thought: It’s Okay To Change
And that brings us to a final point. It’s okay to change. It’s one of life’s contradictions. It’s good to stick with things, but it’s also good to make changes once in awhile. Especially if you’re unhappy. It certainly can be a big life changing thing to change jobs. But it’s not the end of the world. If you do all you can to come to a decision then go forward with it confidently. If it doesn’t work out there are always opportunities to make another change until you find the right fit.