When is the right time to jump ship?

83 per cent of workers are planning to leave their jobs in 2022, most of whom plan to make the jump in the next couple of months, according to a study by Randstad UK. Compared to the average of 9 per cent of people who move jobs each year, it’s clear that the job market is in for a major shift.

This era, dubbed ‘The Great Resignation’, is multi-faceted. For some employees looking to switch career paths, it’s about money, but for others it’s about finding a job with purpose, or leaving a role where they’ve suffered burnout and feel unsupported.

The coronavirus pandemic has given many a time for self-reflection, deciding what they want (and don’t want) for their lives. However, whichever way you view it, many people are looking to find the grass that’s greener on the other side.

However, there is no doubt that this spike in movement will plateau eventually, and the usual way of the world will resume. But, of course, this doesn’t mean that people will stay in their jobs forever – there’ll continue to be times where jumping ship is the right move for you. But, how do you know when the right time is?

Your progress feels stagnant

Whether it’s big goals or small steps, everyone has aims in their career that they work towards with the help of their employer. However, not every company offers the same level of investment in their staff’s journey, and it may be that you feel that you’ve reached the end of the road with your progression.

Of course, if you’re feeling stuck career-wise, it’s important you discuss this with your manager before taking a leap. If it is the case that there’s no more opportunity for you where you currently are, then this is the time to begin searching for something new.

You’re struggling with the Sunday blues

While the thought of an early alarm after a weekend of lie-ins is never pleasant, there’s a difference between getting used to the bleary-eyed mornings and feeling dread the night before a new working week. Also known as the Sunday Scaries, if the idea of your job triggers emotions of anxiety, depression, or sadness – it is most certainly time to re-assess your current role.

Sadly, in a 2018 LinkedIn survey, 80 per cent of working professionals reported to experience the Sunday blues.

When the company’s values no longer align with your own

Which brands we choose to purchase from and invest in usually stems from the ethos and values they hold. If their missions align with our own, then we’re more likely to feel comfortable engaging with them. The same applies to employees and the businesses they work for.

For example, 8 in 10 UK workers report working somewhere with a diverse workforce is an important factor in their career happiness. And in PwC’s 2022 Global Culture Survey, it was found that the majority of respondents believe that company culture is more important than strategy or operations. Within the same survey, it was reported that over two-thirds of senior management teams feel connected to their company’s purpose. However, this number dropped significantly for all other workers to just over half.

If you joined a company on the basis that you supported its values, yet you feel that these no longer exist or focus on them has been diminished, then it may be time to look for a new role.

When an opportunity arises that catches your eye

If you have begun to get itchy feet, then the likelihood is that this is not going to go away. If an opportunity passes you by that sparks your interest and there’s something in your gut that tells you to go for it, then that is the best thing to do. You never know how many chances you’ll have at finding something that gets your intuition going.

If these points resonate with you and you think now might be a good time to jump ship, take a look at what vacancies we currently have on offer to help decide your next move.