How do I know when it’s time to change my job?

There’s a moment in many of our careers when we start to feel a quiet tug—a subtle, growing sense that where we are no longer fits quite right. It’s not always dramatic or immediate. Sometimes, it’s a gnawing feeling that builds slowly over time, leaving you wondering whether you should stick it out or make a change. Knowing when to leave a job can be tricky. After all, we’re taught to value stability, loyalty, and perseverance. But what happens when staying starts to feel like stagnation?

I’ve worked with many clients who’ve wrestled with this very question, and while the decision to move on is rarely simple, there are signs you can look for that suggest it might be time to consider something new. Here are a few key indicators that could signal it’s time for you to start thinking seriously about your next step.

You’re No Longer Learning or Growing

One of the clearest signs it might be time for a change is when you no longer feel like you’re growing. Early in your career, or in the early days of a new role, there’s often a sense of excitement—a learning curve to climb, new challenges to conquer. But over time, if those challenges fade and your daily tasks become routine, you might start to feel stuck and bored.

If you’re not being stretched, if the opportunities for growth and development have dried up, it’s worth considering whether your current role is still serving your long-term ambitions. A lack of growth doesn’t necessarily mean you should leave immediately, but it’s a strong indicator that you should start exploring options to reignite that sense of progression.

Your Values No Longer Align with the Organisation’s

As we grow, both personally and professionally, our values may shift. You may have joined your company years ago because its mission and culture resonated with you. But what happens if that changes? Maybe the company’s direction has shifted, or perhaps your own priorities have evolved.

I’ve worked with clients who found themselves increasingly at odds with their organisation’s approach, whether it was around work-life balance, leadership style, or ethical decisions. When your values and the organisation’s no longer align, it can lead to a deep sense of disconnection and even discomfort. It’s a sign that your role may no longer be the right fit—not just for your career, but for your personal integrity.

You Dread Going to Work

We all have off days, but if you consistently wake up dreading the day ahead, it’s time to take notice. This kind of persistent dread can be a red flag. Perhaps the workload is overwhelming, the environment toxic, or you’ve lost passion for what you’re doing.

When clients come to me feeling like they’ve been dragging themselves through the working day for months, it’s often a sign that something needs to change. Work, by nature, can be tough at times, but it shouldn’t consistently feel like a weight you can’t lift. Pay attention to your emotional and mental wellbeing—it’s often one of the most telling indicators of whether it’s time to make a move.

Your Skills and Talents Feel Underused

Have you ever felt like you have more to offer but no room to show it? It’s common to feel boxed in at times, especially in roles that have become narrow or repetitive. If you find yourself in a position where your skills are underused or undervalued, it’s easy to lose motivation and engagement.

When you’re no longer being challenged, or your talents aren’t being fully utilised, it’s not just frustrating—it can be a sign that the role has outgrown you. And while there’s value in patience, there’s also a need to ensure that your career continues to allow you to do your best work. If your potential is going untapped, it might be time to seek out a new role where you can thrive.

You’re Daydreaming About Other Opportunities

We all let our minds wander from time to time, imagining what life might be like in another job or even another career. But if you’re spending more time daydreaming about leaving than investing in your current role, that could be your intuition telling you something.

Clients who are constantly scanning job boards, imagining what it would be like to work somewhere else, or having a lingering sense of “what if?” are often already halfway out of the door emotionally. These thoughts shouldn’t be dismissed as simple curiosity. Instead, they might be a signal that you’re ready for a new challenge, even if you haven’t fully acknowledged it yet.

There’s No Room for Advancement

If you’re someone with ambitions to grow and move up, hitting a ceiling in your current job can be frustrating. Maybe you’ve reached a point where there’s no clear path for promotion, or the opportunities for advancement just don’t exist.

I’ve had clients who’ve spent years waiting for that next step, only to realise that it’s simply not available to them in their current role. If your career ambitions are stalling due to a lack of upward mobility, it might be time to look elsewhere. After all, your career is a long-term investment, and you could instead be in a place that allows for progression.

You’re Staying Out of Fear, Not Fulfilment

Perhaps the most important question to ask yourself is this: “Why am I staying?” If the answer is fear—fear of the unknown, fear of leaving behind stability, fear of failure—that’s a clear sign that it’s time to re-evaluate. Staying in a job purely out of fear will never lead to fulfilment, and over time, it can erode your confidence and sense of purpose.

I’ve coached clients who stayed in roles far longer than they should have, only to realise later how much more energised and motivated they felt once they took the leap. The reality is, growth often happens outside of our comfort zone, and while change can feel risky, staying stuck is often the bigger risk to your long-term happiness and success.

Trust Yourself to Know When It’s Time

Ultimately, the decision to change jobs is deeply personal. It’s about listening to your own instincts, taking stock of where you are, and trusting yourself to know when it’s time to move on. Career transitions can be intimidating, but they’re also opportunities for growth, learning, and renewal.

If you recognise some of these signs in your own experience, it might be time to start exploring your options. The key is to approach the decision with both courage and clarity—because when you choose to take that next step, you’re not just leaving something behind; you’re opening yourself up to new possibilities.