Do you feel like you’re shuffling off to work every day and that it should mean something more than a paycheck?  Is the spark gone? Then, maybe it’s time for you to change direction and look for a new job.

Every day at Direct Recruiters, we speak with active and passive candidates who are unhappy in their current positions and ready to make a move.   When we probe further and ask them to be more specific about why they’re unhappy and to pinpoint what they don’t like about their current job or company, we often hear the same reasons over and over again.

Can you relate to any of our top 6?

1)      Stagnation:  Feeling underutilized to the point of atrophy.  It’s a bad sign if you’re not being challenged and lose the stuff that makes you stand out professionally. To keep your skills honed, you need to use them often. If not, you’ll lose them and fall behind.

2)      Overwhelming Workload:  It’s normal to feel frazzled every so often but if you’re job has become too overpowering on a daily basis, it’s unhealthy.   Over the past several years, many of you have had to take on the work of 2 or more people.   Increased workloads mean heightened stress and high stress can lead to burnout.

3)      Bad Reputation of Company: According to a poll taken by CR Magazine in 2013, 69% of Americans would rather be unemployed than work for a company with a bad reputation.  Moreover, 84% would leave their current employer in a minute for a company with a favorable reputation.

4)      Sick of Broken Promises & Merit System:  If your boss routinely promises a raise and/or promotion but you get passed over each time, chances are you’re feeling disappointed and misled.  You realize there’s no growth in your current job. It won’t be long before you become totally disgruntled and on the chopping block.

5)      Inept Manager(s): It is often said that good employees don’t leave companies, they leave bad managers.  Bad manager practices deflate employee morale and in turn, mishandled employees stop caring about how well they perform their job and even become indifferent to company goals and objectives.

6)      Change in Family Circumstances:  A change in your personal life (marriage, having children, etc.) may make it necessary to find a new job because of location, finances or a need to spend more time at home.

Please share your story regarding how and when you knew it was time to look for a new job.