Comments on: Personal Development: How do you know it is time to look for a different job?

By: janelle

janelle — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 18:23:37 +0000

I agree with Confucius who said:

“Choose a job that you like and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

By: Ceres

Ceres — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:00:00 +0000

For me, it’s whether my job continues to allow me to tap into my strengths and/or work within my personality. For example, I am a big learner, and when I stop learning at my job, I know it’s time to move on. I am also big explorer, and when I am forced to work with micro-managers who need to approve every steps of the project I am leading, I know it’s time to find another gig.

By: Charlie Gilkey

Charlie Gilkey — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 12:58:58 +0000

Great post. It’s always great to hear different perspectives on the same job.

What I would say today is to ask yourself the “have to vs. get to” question. If you feel like you “have to” work, rather than “get to” work, it may be a good time to consider jumping ship.

The hour early test resonates with me. I’ve tasted what it’s like to be so excited about getting to do what I was doing that I’ve woken up early just to start on it. But I also understand Ariane’s point that some people would rather stay late, but the point’s the same.

Thanks for including my response, and, as always, great job!

By: Ariane Benefit

Ariane Benefit — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 11:44:32 +0000

Great article! I love these group interviews! Thanks for including my response. I agree with all the points here but I would qualify 2 of them…

1) I’ve had jobs I loved, but projects that were really awful – so I chose to tolerate the 3 days straight of feeling like “i don’t want to go to work”

2) I never went to work “an hour early” no matter how much I loved the job unless I absolutely HAD to. I’d much rather stay late…I’m just not a morning person. Before I married a morning person who gets me up early most of the time…I was lucky to make it to work on-time! Most of the people I know who go to work an hour early do it to avoid traffic – not because they love it. Maybe that’s because I live right outside NYC. : )

By: Sam

Sam — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 11:35:00 +0000

It’s time to move on if I’m in a job that won’t let me do my best work.

I’m a professional. Managers tend to manager by making rules that restrict a professional from doing what he knows best.