Looking for a new job is never an easy path to take for many people as the path can be barred by a massive obstacle which many struggle to breakdown. The door in question is “should I look for a new job?” for many this simple seven word question is never simple to answer! The result is the individual dithers 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 merely the fact that they haven’t looked for a new job for quite a while or even a new career in a different industry so have no idea where to start plays a key part in never taking the plunge and going for it.

However help is at hand – 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 job / career plans and trying to arrive at a decision of if it’s time to make that massive step towards a something new you need to ask yourself the following and be honest with what you feel.

• Do you still have a passionate for the industry / sector you are working in?
• Can you picture yourself willingly working in the same industry in 5 years’ time or would you only be doing it because you had become 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 or get on with 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 12-18 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 maintain or exceed your current earning 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 honor. But doing a job that is not giving you the satisfaction you need to be the type of person you want to be then it can end up costing you something money can’t repair – your happiness, self-respect, and even your physical and mental health.

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 to tomorrow steps you can take today to secure your long term future?

Remember if you have found yourself pondering a new job then if that’s not your subconscious giving you a sign that changes might be needed then nothing is!