Looking for a new job is never an easy path to take for many people; however the path is gated by a massive door which many struggle to breakdown. The door in question is should I look for a new job? for many this simple question is never simply answered. The result is the individual prevaricates about the subject before eventually deciding that it’s better the devil you know and remaining with their current employer.

For a larger number of potential job seekers it is simply the fact that they haven’t looked for a job for quite a while and are unsure of the process or what they are letting themselves in for. If only there were a few self-critical questions we could ask ourselves to discover if the time to move jobs is in fact now……

When considering your future career plans and trying to arrive at a decision of if it’s time to make a run for it there are a number of questions you need to ask yourself and to be honest about your answers.

• Do you feel passionate about the industry you are in?
• Can you picture yourself willingly working in the same industry in 5 years’ time if you were institutionalised into the trade?
• Can you picture yourself doing the same role in 12 months’ time?
• Do you start counting the hours left on a Sunday before you have to return to work?
• Do you like more than two thirds of the people you work with?
• Has your employer provided a clear understanding of how you and your role can develop over the next 12 months?
• Does the company culture let you develop your own skills and reach your full potential?
• Are you in a situation where financially you can keep earning the same level in 12 months’ time?
• Can you continue to commit to the same commuting hours per week or are they becoming excessive?

If you can’t honestly answer these questions in a positive light then quite simply why are you still reading this and not reaching for your CV to start giving it a polish?! Yes we all have bills to pay and financial commitments we must honour but doing a job that is not giving you the satisfaction and happiness levels you need to be the type of person you want to be then it is only going to cost you something that no amount of money can repair – your self-respect.

If you are near the start or the end of your career then we can still ask yourself the same overriding question which will soon help you realize what is required of you. Can I see myself willingly doing this role or work in this industry for the next X number of years before I can retire?

If you can’t then why put off for tomorrow steps you can take today to secure your long term happiness and self-respect? Remember if you hate Mondays and the thought of getting up after Sunday is over and done with then is this not a subconscious sign that changes are needed?