Changing Jobs: 3 Red Flags To Consider Before Jumping Ship

Key Takeaways

• While many workers are currently "job hugging" and staying put, particularly in a tight market, Gen Z exhibits a notable inclination to seek more rewarding opportunities outside their comfort zones.
• Career experts advise caution before making a job change, emphasizing the importance of recognizing clear "red flags" such as persistent lack of motivation, stalled growth, and a toxic work culture that negatively impacts mental health.
• Instead of impulsively quitting, individuals should strategically plan their next move, leveraging their current employment for negotiating power and using the time to update their professional profiles and research market trends.
• Ultimately, recognizing when to move on is a crucial career skill, and growth can be achieved not only through external job changes but also by exploring internal opportunities or developing new skills to foster confidence and make empowered decisions.

The job quit rate has dropped significantly this year to about two percent. And a full 75% of workers are job hugging, staying put through 2027. But Gen Z are considering the leap can be more rewarding than staying neatly tucked inside their comfort zones. Statistics show that 58% of Gen Zers consider their jobs as "situationships," 47% say they plan to quit their jobs within a year, and half say they’re ready to leave at any moment. But career experts advise reserving caution and considering the red flags before changing jobs.

Red Flags To Consider Before Changing Jobs

In the job hugging era, most American workers are looking for jobs, not quitting them. If you’re considering quitting your job and know it’s a tight market, the worst step is to impulsively bail without thinking it through. You don’t want to trade one problem for another.

But sometimes a position is so harmful to your mental health that you feel you have no other choice. Despite the difficulty in snagging a new job, for example, nearly half a million women left the workforce this year. The red flags were clear. They are tired of being undervalued and are rejecting the “Lean In” era and hustle culture, according to Shawn Casey, co-founder of Noria.

Dmitrii Anikin, co-founder of SalaryGuide, told me there’s a difference between having an off-day and feeling genuinely stuck in your job. “If you find yourself mentally clocking out and dreading Mondays, it could be time to ask whether your current role is still serving your goals,” he states. He shares his expert insight on the warning signs that it’s time to move on.

1. Losing Motivation and Appreciation

Anikin suggests that if every task feels like a chore and you’re counting the minutes until the end of the day, it’s a strong indication that your role is no longer challenging or fulfilling. “Constant boredom and lack of motivation can mean you’ve outgrown your position," he adds. "Work should energize you at least some of the time. If it’s consistently draining, that’s a red flag.”

He says you might still be performing well, but without recognition, feedback or fair pay. "Stalled salary growth, missed promotions or being overlooked for new opportunities can mean your employer no longer sees your potential or that you’ve hit a ceiling,” he points out.

2. Growth Has Come to a Halt

Anikin acknowledges that in healthy workplaces, professional development is encouraged. “If you’re not offered training, mentoring or chances to upskill, your long-term progress can stagnate," he notes. “A role that no longer challenges you won’t help you grow. When your day-to-day work schedule feels repetitive and there’s no clear career pathway, it might be time to seek new opportunities that will stretch your skills.”

3. The Culture Isn’t a Fit

Anikin told me that toxic environments, poor management or a lack of alignment with company values can take a serious toll. “If your workplace negatively impacts your mental or physical health, or if you consistently feel disconnected from the company culture, it’s worth reevaluating whether it’s the right environment for you," he advises. “That Sunday-night anxiety or morning dread creeping up often isn’t something you should ignore, and when those feelings become routine, it’s often your intuition telling you something needs to change.”

A Strategic Career Plan For Changing Jobs

You spend more time at your job — as much as one third of your days according to some estimates — than just about any other place on earth. And if you’re miserable, it can take a tremendous toll on your mental health.

All jobs have drawbacks. But if you’re an unhappy worker most of the time, you’re an un-productive worker much of the time. It doesn’t benefit either you or the company. So what do you do?

First, experts warn employees to take a breath and step back before jumping ship too quickly to make sure you’ve thought everything through. You can’t fire your boss. You can’t take over the company and restructure it, but you can take a number of other actions, according to Anikin.

Once you recognize it’s time to leave, that’s just the first step, but he insists that knowing how to navigate your next move is key. “Deciding to look for your next role can be daunting, especially in today’s market, where competition is fierce,” he emphasizes. “However, if you approach it strategically and with the right mindset, you can position yourself for success.”

Insecurity and doubt of making the wrong move, in an uncertain market or a lack of confidence in the next step can drive you to job hugging. “Doubt is a natural part of any career decision," Anikin admits. "The key is to recognize it without letting it dictate your choices. Many employees stay put out of fear of the unknown, but that same energy that drives this behavior can be channeled into growth, such as developing new skills, building confidence and preparing for opportunities when they arise.”

He believes if you’re currently employed, you should consider that an advantage. "Job hunting while you’re in a role gives you negotiating power. You can be selective, take your time and hold out for the right offer,” he says. Meanwhile, he recommends you use this time to research and refresh.

“Update your CV, polish your LinkedIn profile and research salary benchmarks and hiring trends in your industry. Your next role doesn’t have to be a huge leap to be meaningful. Sometimes a lateral move or short-term contract can reignite your passion or expand your network. Most importantly, remember that changing jobs isn’t a failure: it’s growth. Knowing when to move on is one of the strongest career skills you can develop.”

Growth within work doesn’t always mean leaving your employer, according to Anikin.
"Exploring internal mobility, secondments or new responsibilities within your
organization can help you expand your expertise and value without sacrificing
security.”

Career growth isn’t always about changing jobs or taking constant leaps, Anikin points out, adding it’s about taking the right ones. "Employees can reduce doubt by being prepared. When you’re confident in your skills and clear about your direction, the fear of change fades and the decision to stay or move becomes an empowered one," he concludes.

 

This article was written by Bryan Robinson from Forbes and was legally licensed through the DiveMarketplace by Industry Dive. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@industrydive.com.