Does your job leave you feeling unmotivated? You may need a new job...

Is your career moving in the direction that you'd hoped? Do you still feel challenged, or do you face Sunday nights and Monday mornings with trepidation, hoping the days pass quickly so you can make it to the weekend?

Before you hand in your resignation letter, use this checklist to determine if now's the time to leave your job, or if you should try to make things work at your current place of employment.

Signs that something needs to change:

  • You work with unsupportive management and/or co-workers.

  • The commute requires all your free time.

  • The workload is growing and it's impossible to do well.

  • There are limited opportunities to gain new skills, networks, expertise, or certifications.

  • You're underpaid or the financial compensation isn't enough to allow you to invest in yourself.

  • It's a challenge to find and cultivate mentorships with those more experienced than you.

  • The position doesn't provide intellectual stimulation or allow for risk-taking and you're bored.

If you're experiencing a number of these signs, it's time to re-evaluate your current situation. In some cases, a frank conversation with your boss may be the key to turning things around at your job. Remember, your manager can't help you if you don't let him or her know what's going on. Brainstorm a list of solutions before you meet with your boss, and consider the following items to include in your negotiations:

  • An intern or other support staff

  • A more flexible work schedule or the option to telecommute

  • The opportunity to work on more challenging or cross-functional projects with other teams

  • A raise or promotion with additional responsibilities

  • A stipend for professional development opportunities

  • Access to the company's internal training programs

Be prepared to support these requests with evidence, proving the value you've brought to the company and/or the benefits these items would provide to the organization in the long run.

Related: Career Quiz: Is It Time for a Career Change?

Unfortunately, not every situation can be fixed with a conversation. If you're experiencing any of the signs below, it's time to start looking for a new job before things get worse.  

Signs it's time to find a new job:

  • You dread going to work, have lost enthusiasm, and start each day with a horrible feeling in the pit of your stomach.

  • You're not in the loop and it feels intentional that you're the last to know what's going on.

  • You're a cultural misfit and can't shake the feeling that you just don't fit in at the office.

  • You're desperate to leave and find yourself obsessively checking job boards for an opportunity — any opportunity — that would allow you to quit.

  • The company's struggling. If the signs are there, it's better to start looking before layoffs begin and everyone is competing for the same positions.

  • Your boss knows less than you do or is not very good at their job — and they're not going anywhere.

  • Your personal life is suffering. You have too many work commitments, not enough time with your family and friends, and it's affecting your relationships.

  • Your job is making you sick, and you're stressed to the point that your work is causing health problems.

  • You receive a bad performance review. If your reviews are usually fine and a negative one comes out of the blue, the company may be looking to get rid of people.

  • Your job description changes. You're asked to do more, given responsibilities you're not necessarily equipped to handle, or removed from a project or long-term assignment that you've been working on.

  • You're being documented, or you're asked to document everything you do. If you're asked to train a backup, management may be using you as an inexpensive way to train your replacement.

If you find yourself agreeing with one or more of the above items, it's time to move on. Start looking for the right opportunity today so you can leave your job as soon as possible.

Click on the following link to view our infographic that will help you take the next steps to improve your relationship with your job.

Ready to leave your job for that new opportunity, but need to revamp your resume? Request a free review now!

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