5 Reasons To Leave Your Job - Even in A Downturn

Career Planning
5Even
Reasons to Leave
in a Downturn Your Job —
by Marlo Lyons
January 04, 2023
Henrik Sorensen/Getty Images
Summary. In a tight labor market, especially when news of large and small-scale
layoffs continues to proliferate, it might seem inadvisable to look for a new job if
you’re employed. But if you’re not engaged in your work, that will eventually show,
which could put your career... more
When you’re not completely happy in your job, it’s hard to know
when enough is enough. Will your dissatisfaction pass? Is it worth
it to put the time and effort into searching for another job and risk
going somewhere new that may not be better?
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As layoffs continue to pile up in the U.S. and companies brace for

yet more economic uncertainty, you might be conflicted about
whether to stay or go if you feel the pull to look for something
new. Here are five surefire signs that it’s not worth staying at your
current organization, even if we’re entering a tight job market.
The environment is toxic.
When you go to work, do you feel good about yourself and what
you do? Is your work hampering your mental health, disrupting
your sleep, or making you impatient with loved ones? If you’re
talked down to or degraded in a way that isn’t considered normal
feedback or find yourself complaining to family and friends about
your job, you may not be able to fix your boss or company culture.
Before you start hunting for something new, look at your words
and actions to determine whether you’re contributing to the
toxicity. If you’re gossiping or complaining, seeing negative intent
behind every decision, exhibiting a bad attitude, or putting up
roadblocks that prevent others from accomplishing their goals,
then consider how you can change your own behavior first to see
if personal changes impact the behavior of others around you.
If you’re not doing any of those things, then try to figure out
what’s making the culture feel toxic and determine if it’s fixable.
If you feel like the issues are deep rooted and unlikely to change,
extricating yourself from the situation will be the best option.
Your values are being violated.

If you’re frustrated with elements of your job, it’s likely that at
least one of your values is being violated. For example, if having
family dinner every night is important to you, and your boss
constantly interrupts your evenings with non-urgent needs, then
that’s a violation of that value.
The best way to understand if your values are being violated is to

identify and define them. Maybe it’s important to you to be able to
solve complex problems, or to manage a team. Once you have
each value defined, then classify them. Assign each a number
from one to five — one being you don’t live that value at all in
your job, five being that value is fulfilled every day. Review the
ones that are classified as three or below. Is there anything you
can do to fix infringements of those values? Regarding family
dinner, perhaps tell your boss you’re going to be unavailable
during dinnertime when you’re with your family and can be
available afterward for urgent needs only. If they can’t respect
that time, then the job may no longer be congruent with your
values.
Your skills aren’t being used and developed.

Most people want to feel like they’re using their skills and making
an impact. Think about the skills you have and the ones you’ll
need to develop to advance your career. For example, if you want
to use your skills for problem solving but don’t have the
opportunity to work on increasingly complex problems, can you
ask your manager for more complex work or to be part of the
meetings where these issues are discussed? Or if you want to
manage a team, is there a possibility of moving into a leadership
role at some point? If you’re answering no to these types of
questions, you may remain stagnant in your career if you stick
around.
You’re not given opportunities to be visible.

Accomplishing the work is only part of the equation that adds up
to long-term success and advancement in your career. If your boss
provides you with opportunities for visibility through working on
high-profile or cross-functional projects, others will be able to see
your skills and capabilities.
When people know who you are and what you’re capable of
accomplishing, you’re creating awareness of your brand. As your
brand grows, you’ll be recognized as a thought leader and
successful contributor to business goals. That visibility combined
with stellar results could lead to new opportunities or a
promotion. If your boss is keeping you hidden away, never letting
you present to your managers or peers or participate in higher-
level meetings, then it’s impossible to build brand awareness of
who you are and what you can do, which will make growth in the
organization more difficult.
You’re feeling low energy.

When you wake up Monday morning, do you dread going to work?
Most people would like the weekends to last longer, but if you’re
usually a person who goes above and beyond and now you’re
doing the bare minimum, you’re most likely feeling unfulfilled. If
the work feels routine or uninteresting or you’re frustrated with
other aspects of the role most days, then the job may not be the
right fit for you anymore. If there’s nothing you can do to
reenergize yourself, such as raising your hand for an interesting
new project or finding a way to connect to the work you’re already
doing, a new job may be the best way to reenergize your interest
in the work.
...
All of the above signs point to one thing: a lack of engagement in
your job. That will eventually show, which could put your career
at risk. Once you realize you’re spending 40 hours weekly feeling
unfulfilled, it’s always better to control your destiny than wait for
others to decide your fate for you. Consider what steps you can
take to reengage or whether a new job will make you feel more
fulfilled.
Marlo Lyons career, executive, and team coach

and the award-winning author of Wanted – A
New Career: The Definitive Playbook for
Transitioning to a New Career or Finding Your
Dream Job. You can reach her at
www.marlolyonscoaching.com.
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Career Planning

Henrik Sorensen/Getty Images

As layoffs continue to pile up in the U.S. and companies brace for

Your values are being violated.

The best way to understand if your values are being violated is to

Your skills aren’t being used and developed.

You’re not given opportunities to be visible.

You’re feeling low energy.

Marlo Lyons career, executive, and team coach

Should You Quit Your Job?

6 Signs It's Time to Leave Your Job

Is It Time to Quit Your Job?

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