A survey conducted by a collective of prestigious research groups has shown that only 50% of workers report feeling satisfied with their jobs. Half of the workers that were part of this survey claimed to be unhappy with the job they have.
Considering the time commitment of a career, with the average American working an average of 38.6 hours per week, job satisfaction is crucial. Luckily, there are ways that you can evaluate if you’re working somewhere that will provide you with meaningful work and future career opportunities.
You should think about changing your job if any of the following telltale signs of an unsatisfying job apply to you.
1. There’s nowhere to grow
Climbing up the ladder of employment is key to long-term work and job security. If there’s nowhere for you to grow as an employee, it will be more difficult for you to earn raises without opportunities to increase your work responsibilities. Having room to grow in your job also helps you develop goals that give you greater motivation while you’re at work.
2. The environment is toxic
Work environments that are hostile can be detrimental to your mental health and productivity. If you continually feel threatened by coworkers or degraded by higher-ups, that is a clear sign that you need to leave. There’s no reason to subject yourself to toxicity for the sake of a paycheck. Find an employer that values you and what you have to offer the workplace.
3. The cons outweigh the pros
Not every job is logistically right for you. Some require an extremely long commute, some require early morning arrival times, some require a strictly kept schedule, and some require more flexibility. Whatever the case, if any of these elements outweigh the benefits of remaining employed you may want to consider a job change.
4. The compensation is unfair
Time is money. If the time you invest in your job is not worth the money you earn from it, that is a red flag that may be telling of a long-term problem. Asking for a raise is a good first step in the right direction. But if a raise isn’t possible, there will likely be a time where you find you need to move forward from your current work.
