Making an Exit - How do you know when it is time to go?
Making an Exit
How do you know when it is time to go? People tell you all of the time that the signs will be written all over the wall when it is time to go. But how do you know what these signs are if you have never seen them? Here are some indicators your time may be up. People no longer seek your opinion You used to be the “go to” person when people were seeking advice on critical projects. Now they seem to go to everyone else but you. Could it be that people have lost confidence in your abilities? How effective can you really be in your role if your opinion is no longer valued? If you feel that this is something that cannot be turned around, it may be time to seek employment elsewhere. After all, who wants to go to work every day knowing that your work is not really appreciated and that your opinion doesn’t count? All the plum assignments go to someone else You used to get assignments that were challenging. You enjoyed the fact that you were able to learn something new every day. Now you seem to get the projects that no one else wants. You are doing all of the lower-level work in the department and this does not look like a temporary situation. If you have already mastered these skills and you are no longer learning, then it is time to look for a position where you will have room to grow again. Promotions go to everyone but you A number of people around you have been promoted while you remain stuck in the same position that you have been in since you arrived. Your boss keeps telling you to hang in there and you will be next. Is your boss really being honest with you or is he hoping that you will leave on your own before he has to show you the door? You have gone from being an “A Player” to barely being ranked Your boss has always given you positive feedback about your work. Now, whenever you complete a project he tells you all the things that you have done wrong. Have you recently gone through a change in management? Do you get the sense that he wants to bring in his own people? Why wait to be escorted out the door? Now may be a good time to see what else is out there. Making the Leap Often, people are paralyzed when they see these signs. Change can be difficult. Just remember that you are in a much better position if you are the one who is actively seeking a job rather than being forced to do so by your employer. If you can’t turn the situation around, put your resume together and begin your search. When you land your new job, make sure you give your current employer at least two week’s notice. Don’t burn bridges. You never know when you will need to use your boss as a reference, so you don’t want to leave on a sour note.
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