Candidates

6 signs to know when it's time to seek a new career

Scott Williams
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Naturally, we all go through periods of having exciting projects at work that make us fall in love with our roles again; and times when finding motivation is harder.

But if the thought of the end of the weekend and another week at work fills you with dread. This could be a sign that something is seriously wrong.

Either you’ve outgrown your food manufacturing role, or your workplace has become toxic. You realise that your passions lie elsewhere in a different position or with a new company with different values. Some signs to look out for indicate that it’s time to look for a new job.

Deciding on a career move can be a daunting thing, and that’s why many people try to ignore the warning signs that they should move on.

Today, we share the 6 Signs it’s Time to Look for a New Role (and how to find one)

1. You Have Stopped Enjoying Going to Work

There can be many reasons people are reluctant to leave the house in the morning, from a commute that is regularly filled with traffic to a long train journey.

But generally, travelling to work should not be a time where you dread the minutes counting down until your morning start time.

Have you found yourself stopping off for a coffee to delay getting into the office; have you started taking the longer route to work; does the thought of work in the morning keep you from sleeping at night?

Of course, many more of us are working from home now, and so the physical act of going to work might soon become a thing of the past in many roles.

But this feeling of dread can become present in morning Zoom meetings when you’re on a conference call or any time work-related messages pop up on your screen.

A sense of dread when you think about your job is not usual – if this is happening to you, it’s time to make a change.

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2. You Feel Disconnected From Your Role

High employee engagement is a characteristic of all excellent employers.

Great food manufacturers will ensure that you have the right amount of work to do; you’re not overworked or frequently find yourself with few tasks and unsure what you should be doing.

You should feel a passion and drive for your role and a connection to your team and your employer, which makes you want to give your best to the job – it was probably there when you applied for this position.

But over time, inadequate management can lead to employees feeling disconnected and then eventually stopping caring. It is hard to find enthusiasm for your role when you have become separated. Will you ever trust that your employer truly cares about you even if things change in the short term?

Disconnected

3. You are Taking Extra Sick Days

Taking extra sick days or taking holidays to get away from your job is a sign that something is wrong.

It is estimated that 12.7% of all sick days are taken due to mental health problems, which can often be attributed to your current role in the first place.

If your mental health is being affected due to your job, first speak to your manager. They have a duty of care to you to ensure that your position is not causing you harm. Sadly, if the problems are out of your manager’s control and they continue, it might be time to look for an employer who has an excellent wellbeing reputation.

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4. You Don’t Get on With Your Boss (or Your Colleagues)

Having a great relationship with your boss and your colleagues is never a given in any role – it’s always a nice bonus when you find a position you love and get on with your team.

But negative relationships with the people you work with daily can quickly become draining, and they can turn a once dream job into a nightmare situation.

There should always be avenues you can explore before it gets as severe as leaving for a different company, but sometimes that’s what it takes.

Toxic workplaces are sadly more common than you might think, and although your job might look great on paper if your boss regularly puts you down. The atmosphere in the workplace is continually hostile and is holding you back from success in your job role and your whole career; it’s time to find a company where you not only feel fulfilled but also happy.

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5. You’re Being Underpaid

48% of employees feel that they are underpaid for the work they do – does this sound familiar?

When you start a job, the expectations might have been clear. But what commonly happens in manufacturing workplaces is over time. As you become more experienced within the organisation, you are tasked with more and more duties.

And your remuneration rarely increases with the amount of extra work you are now expected to do.

It might be a simple case of your manager not realising how much extra outside of your role you are taking on. But this again is poor management on their part.

Suppose you are increasingly given extra tasks or are performing managerial duties. Your employer tells you that you are not going to be paid any extra for it. In that case, this is a sign that your employer is taking advantage of you.

Not all food manufacturing employers behave like this – now should be the time to find one who doesn’t.

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6. You Feel Undervalued

So finally, number 6 of my 6 Signs it’s Time to Look for a New Role.

Aside from being paid a fair wage for your work. It is also essential that you feel emotionally valued and supported by your manager and colleagues.

Signs that your current employer is undervaluing you include:

  • your work is overlooked,
  • your performance and pay reviews are continually pushed back,
  • you’re not trusted to have autonomy in your role,
  • those around you are promoted, and you get left behind.

Being undervalued can be a sign that your current employer will not support you in your career and that things are unlikely to change unless the entire company has a management shake-up – but you don’t have to wait for this to happen.

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Next Steps

So those are my 6 Signs it’s Time to Look for a New Role

Many people stay in roles that make them severely unhappy and impact their mental health because they believe there is no other option.

The truth is there are always other options; you might not know where to find them – and that’s where we come in.

Speak to a dedicated food manufacturing recruitment company – they will be able to offer advice and options. They can put you in touch with new potential employers and organise interviews for you – what are you waiting for?

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