ALBAWABA - Leaving your job can be a daunting decision. Moreover, there's a belief that loyalty is an important personal trait, and employers tend to prefer candidates who have stayed with one company for a while.
According to Nolan Church, a former Google recruiter and the current CEO of the recruiting firm Continuum, determining the right time to stay at a company or make the decision to leave is rarely easy. However, if you find yourself in such a position, there are some helpful signs to look out for.
Continuum is revolutionizing how companies hire executives, and Church has hired over 1000 employees throughout his career.
When it comes to the right time to consider leaving your job, Church outlines 7 phrases your boss might say that can be considered "red flags" supporting a tough decision:
"I don't want to hear feedback. Just do your job."
If employees are expected to be open to feedback, managers should be as well. Bosses who are resistant to constructive criticism signal a lack of openness to new ideas and a lack of respect for your input.
"We value you, but promotion isn't in the cards right now."
A practice known as "hiring freeze" can occur. If your boss expresses a lack of concern about a slowdown without providing a clear timeline or path forward, it might be time to consider your options. A lack of learning opportunities can stagnate your career and drain your energy. Before reaching this point, network with colleagues and explore other job opportunities.
"Knowledge on a need-to-know basis... Information will be shared when the time is right."
When you join a company, you commit to a relationship with your leadership team. Like any important relationship in your life, transparency and regular communication should be expected. If you're frequently blindsided or dealing with extended periods of uncertainty, it may be time to start looking elsewhere.
"We can discuss compensation at the next review."
If your salary doesn't increase in line with your added value or if you're earning less than market standards for your role and experience, think twice before staying. Another red flag is your manager repeatedly delaying performance reviews.
Speak to your coworkers about their compensation experiences in the company. Even if you decide to leave, having information can empower you during negotiations for your next position.
"We need to fill this role. Let's not share these details with candidates."
Does management pressure interviewers to exaggerate company details, team standards, or daily expectations to potential candidates? Do you feel like your company is selling a dream that doesn't exist yet? Deception only violates your personal values and harms your reputation in the long run.
"I called you last night at 9:00 PM. Why didn't you answer?"
Work can help us grow and give us a sense of purpose. But it shouldn't come at the cost of a balanced life. Prioritizing your personal life over what's perceived as laziness is not unreasonable. Persistent overtime, false urgency, or a lack of respect for your time outside work may be a sign that it's time to move on.
"We don't have time for fun."
When you're in the right role and working with great people, it's impossible not to enjoy it. We all have days off, but ideally, good days should outnumber the bad ones. If your managers create an environment filled with fear, consider looking elsewhere. We spend too much of our lives focused on our careers, and we deserve to feel proud and happy in our work. Life is too short.
