7 Signs Your Job Just Isn’t Working Out

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So you’re sitting at your desk, doing literally anything but working and counting the minutes until the end of the day. Your boss comes around and, instead of congratulating you on leading a successful company presentation, she talks about the wording you messed up on slide four. You go home mentally exhausted and plan to spend your night decompressing. Maybe you’re not in this exact situation, but if you can relate at all when it comes to your work, it may be time for you to move on. There are plenty of ways to know when your job isn’t the right fit, but the seven signs below suggest it’s time to hunt for your next adventure.

1. You’re more frustrated than you are happy.

Whether it’s an ornery boss or a ridiculous workload, your frustration speaks to how your job is going overall. If you’re finding yourself upset most of the day, there’s a reason why, and you should explore the root of your feelings. You can’t expect to be ecstatic every single day, but if your feet are dragging just coming into work, it’s pretty clear you’re not in the right place.

2. Your accomplishments aren’t being acknowledged.

Everyone deserves to be acknowledged for hard work and positive results. If you’re killing it at your job, putting in the work every day and even have the numbers to prove it, it should be expected for your boss to say, “Hey, you did a great job on this!” Haven’t gotten positive feedback in quite some time? Yep, it’s time to rethink your place at this company. If you’re efforts aren’t recognized, not only does it not feel good, but it could mean your ability to grow in your role is limited.

3. The work environment is toxic and negative.

No one likes an office gossip (and yikes if the office gossip is you), but more importantly, no one likes bad vibes in the workplace. You’re likely spending at least eight hours with the same people each day, so if you’re bogged down by workplace negativity that’s left unaddressed, bring it up with your colleagues or boss. Still no positive change? Recognize that your situation simply isn’t sustainable.

4. Your mental health is suffering as a result of your job.

We’re not gonna lie — building a career is exhausting, and working five full days in a row isn’t always a walk in the park. But that said, your mental health is important, if not more important, than your career. If you find yourself having panic attacks just thinking about talking to your boss about an issue or you’re starting to feel mentally depleted in every sense, your job is sucking up your precious energy and taking a toll on you. No job is worth extreme mental strain. You have to put your health first.

5. The company culture isn’t a good fit for you.

Sometimes, everything about your current job can be just right — your boss is amazing, your coworkers are amazing, etc. But if you’re someone who needs flexible hours and your job is a stiff nine-to-five, you’ll likely never be truly happy in your position. Company culture and policies are really an important deciding factor for taking (or staying at) a job. And the environment of where you work can change over time. So, even if you joined when the culture was great, the culture your company developed down the road might not be for you. That’s okay, but recognize it.

6. You can’t envision solutions to problems you’re having.

No matter what you’re facing at work, clear and efficient communication is critical to resolving issues you face. It’s a problem, though, when you try to make positive changes and nothing comes of it. It’s even worse when you bring up your concerns with the appropriate person, perhaps multiple times, and nothing happens. Sometimes, you just gotta let the mess lie where it is and cut yourself loose.

7. You have to constantly justify staying.

If your friends keep asking you why you’re still at your job you don’t like and you find yourself coming up with B.S. answers, it’s time for a reality check. Don’t defend a job you’re not happy with. If you’re current situation isn’t a positive experience, be honest with yourself and know that you deserve better. No one is going to find the perfect new job for you; it’s on you to put yourself on a path to fulfillment and success.