Career Coach

Is it time to leave your employer?

Ken Pelczarski | TLT Career Coach September 2019

It’s a tough decision, so ask the right questions and listen to your instincts.

Are you having a difficult time deciding whether to leave your current employer because you are “somewhat satisfied” with your job? You are not alone!

Studies typically show that approximately 50% of industry professionals are somewhat satisfied with their jobs and will consider other opportunities, while 25% are happy with their jobs and 25% are dissatisfied.

The first step in making a job change is deciding that prospects for achieving your career goals would be better with a different employer. The second step is finding an employer that will likely provide greater job satisfaction and significantly better growth opportunities.

There is no magic formula in determining when is the right time to leave. To stay on track in achieving your career goals, ask yourself the following questions about your job and employer on a regular basis.

• Do you find daily enjoyment and satisfaction in your work?
• Does your work provide enough challenge?
• Are you recognized and appreciated?
• What is the outlook for personal growth?

It is important to get on the right track with a new employer if answers to all the above questions are unsatisfactory. If it is a mixed bag of positive and negative answers to the above questions, it may be a tough decision on whether to leave your employer.

In a situation where you are somewhat satisfied and are having new concerns with your employer, be careful not to be reactionary by switching jobs immediately. You may be able to resolve your concerns. Who knows? You may even be about to receive a promotion or raise.

I am a firm believer in making the most of a current job before making a move to a new employer. Attempt to remedy or improve your job situation through discussions with company management. Your employer may not even be aware that you have issues to resolve. You may be able to (1.) acquire new responsibilities, (2.) transfer to a new department, (3.) get company support for new training/education and/or (4.) obtain approval for a higher salary or increased incentives.

If you are content with your employer but not completely happy, be sure to leave only if you improve your job situation significantly and if you locate an opportunity that is about as good as you will find for your experience.

If answers to the above questions are all satisfactory, and you are seemingly 100% happy with your current employer, it does not mean you should close your eyes to other opportunities. By always listening and keeping an eye on the job market, you may find your dream job or at least measure your current job status against what is available in the industry.

Reasons to consider leaving a job

1. Day-to-day work
• Lack of daily satisfaction and enjoyment
• Work is not challenging
• Responsibilities beneath your capabilities
• Unsafe work environment

2. Outlook for the future
• Lack of personal growth
• No upward movement potential
• Not achieving your career goals
• Demoted or given less responsibility
• Being asked to relocate

3. Company
• Not competitive in the industry
• Losing money
• Trending in the wrong direction
• Up for sale

4. Management
• Unsupportive boss
• Micro-management
• No recognition or appreciation for your work
• Unethical business practices

5. Compensation
• Salary is not competitive
• Salary or incentives have been cut
• Sub-par benefit package.

You may want to start an active job search if several of the above points apply to your situation. A strong negative gut feel also will influence your decision. If your work environment is unsafe or management is unethical, you may want to consider leaving your employer immediately.

A prospective employer would certainly understand if you leave a job suddenly because of safety or ethics concerns. If you leave for other reasons without a new job lined up, your self-confidence and devotion to finding a new position may be admired by some employers.

Be prepared, however, to deal with possible disadvantages. You may lose leverage in your search, have difficulty explaining your decision to quit, be out of work for an extended time period or receive a bad reference from your previous employer.

When you begin to realize there is little or no hope of achieving your career goals with your current employer, it is time to move on. Search actively to find an employer where your work will be enjoyable and add benefit to your career.

Ken Pelczarski is owner and founder of Pelichem Associates, a Chicago-based search firm established in 1985 and specializing in the lubricants industry. You can reach Ken at (630) 960-1940 or at pelichem@aol.com.