18 Reasons You Should Start Looking for Another Job

The alarm clock goes off bright-and-early on Monday morning. What's your reaction? Are you ready to tackle the day head-on? Or, do you hit the snooze button and dread getting out of bed?

If you're experiencing the latter, then it may be time to reevaluate your life and find out what's the catalyst. In most cases, you may find that the lag is work-related. Maybe that explains why it's normal for people to have four job changes by the time that they're 32.

But, how can you be certain that you need to make a career change? You can start by being aware of these 18 signs.

1. You're always bored.

While there are some advantages to boredom, like helping boost creativity and making you more goal-oriented, if you're spending the workday playing games, shopping, daydreaming, or looking at the time, then obviously you're not doing the type of work that excites or challenges you.

2. You're constantly left out in the cold.

There could be a couple of reasons why you're constantly not being invited to team meetings, social events outside of the workplace, or not informed on the latest business happenings.

For starters, you haven't been able to find a click. While having friends shouldn't be the main reasons why you love your job, it definitely makes the workday run a lot more smoothly when you have a workplace buddy. Just think how much Pam and Jim made enjoyable for each other in The Office.

Another reason could be that your boss or colleagues don't value your input and insights. When people aren't listening to your two-cents worth, it's easy to understand why you don't' feel like a valuable member of the team.

3. The work doesn't come naturally.

You see this all the time in the workplace. You have the one employee who is unstoppable. In fact. They're so productive and skilled at their job that they make everyone else look bad. Then, you have the employee who is struggling to keep up with deadlines and understanding even the simplest of tasks.

Does this mean that one is smarter or more-driven than the other? Not necessarily.

The one employee is playing to their strengths, so the work just comes naturally to them. You, on the other hand, don't possess those same skills. Eventually, your success and job satisfaction will go completely out of the window.

4. It brings you closer to your personal goals.

We all have those dreams that we've never let go of. And, believe it or not, sometimes a job that we're not that keen on can help us achieve those dreams or goals.

For example, if you always wanted to be science fiction writer, but have been working as a copywriter for an ad agency, then you've been enhancing your writing skills over time - and maybe even learned some marketing tricks - that will help you book an author.

5. You aren't being utilized properly.

If you were hired to be that amazing copywriter at an ad agency, but they have yet to publish any of your blog posts, billboards, or brochures, then why are you sticking around? Your talents are clearly going to waste and it may take time to move to a new company that is actually going to use you and your talents.

6. You get the cold shoulder from your boss.

While you weren't best-friends with your boss, there was a time when you could have a conversation with them to share ideas or even have a brief recap of Game of Thrones during your lunch break. Then, one day, these conversations cease.

It's obviously confusing and there could be more to the story, like the boss going through some personal problems, but if you continually getting the cold shoulder then it makes it difficult to reassure yourself that everything is alright as we frequently ask questions like, "What did I do wrong?"

7. You receive poor feedback.

A long time ago I was friends with a bartender who always got bad tips, along with a lot of negative comments from patrons. This friend would then complain about the customers, (even to other customers) instead of admitting that they just weren't a great bartender.

No matter what position you're in, if you are receiving poor feedback from clients, coworkers, or in performance evaluations, then that's one of the clearest signs that you're not cut out for the job, or it's not right for you.

8. The company doesn't "jibe with your life's goals and values."

"Does your company help you fulfill your personal mission?," asks former GE CEO Jack Welch and Suzy Welch, a best-selling author. "Essentially, this question asks whether your company jibes with your life's goals and values."

For example, are you required "to travel more than you'd like, given your chosen work-life balance? Does it offer enough upward mobility, given your level of ambition?"

Remember that there "are no right or wrong answers to such questions, only a sense of whether you are investing your time at the right or wrong company for you."

9. Less work is coming down the pipeline.

If you're receiving fewer assignments then this could be an indicator that there was a discussion from upper management that you shouldn't have as many responsibilities. Whether that means your employer has lost faith in you or that your job may be in jeopardy, this is a sign that you should start polishing up your resume.

10. You don't fit in.

When I was college I was friends with someone who wanted to be a teacher. The kicker? This person couldn't stand children and wanted to get into education because of the health benefits and the vacation time. Little did this person know that teachers work their tails off, and it requires them to spend a lot of time with kids. That person didn't last very long as a teacher and went back to school to become a lawyer.

If you don't feel like you fit in with the specific position or culture, then it's in your best interest to move on.

11. You're not that desperate for a paycheck.

Unfortunately, we kind of need money to pay for housing, transportation, food, and clothing. And, that's why we have to get a job. However, some things are more valuable than a paycheck. For example, is it worth spending 25 years at a job you dread so that you can drive a BMW? Or, would you rather spend your life working at a job that you love and are excited about and drive a Toyota Camry?

As Paul Graham says, "To be happy I think you have to be doing something you not only enjoy, but admire. You have to be able to say, at the end, wow, that's pretty cool."

12. You've got a horrible boss.

Merideth Ferguson, co-author of a workplace study and assistant professor of management at Baylor, says that "Most people quit supervisors, they don't quit jobs." Working under a horrible manager or supervisor just doesn't impact your performance, it also affects your personal life, and even your health - like becoming more stressful and anxious.

13. You easily get overwhelmed.

Do easily get overwhelmed or excited over even the most minimal of tasks or questions? I once had a job that I couldn't stand and every time my boss asked me a simple question, such as emailing a question to client, my blood will boil.

Even though my boss did absolutely nothing and they were asking something very little of me, the job itself frustrated me so much that it didn't take a lot for me to get worked up.

14. You don't talk about your job or company.

Richard Branson is one of my favorite entrepreneurs. His charisma, transparency, and success story motivate me whenever I need a little inspiration. But, one of the things that I admire about him is that he's the biggest cheerleader for the company that founded, Virgin. In fact, can you imagine anyone else starting that company or Branson working for any other organization? They're indistinguishable from each other. And, that excitement has trickled down to its employees.

If you're embarrassed or avoid talking about your company, then that's definitely a red flag. Remember, you're the biggest champion for a company, and if you're not feeling it, then how will clients and customers.

En savoir plus | inc.com