If you’ve asked yourself this career question, know that you’re not alone. This question is very difficult to answer and it should not be taken lightly. If you’re wondering when is the right time for you to make the leap, take a look at some of the important factors below that will ultimately help you make the decision:

 

1. Career Advancement – Is there room for advancement within the company? If you’ve done your due diligence and concluded that there is essentially no room for advancement, it may be time to start looking elsewhere. Another factor to consider is career growth. Have you learned all that you can at your current place of employment?
 

2. Work-Life Balance – When you think about your current position, can you honestly say that it provides a good work-life balance? Your career is important, but it should not come at the expense of your overall happiness in life. If you find that you’re often stressed and required to continually devote all of your time to your job, it may be time for you to seek another opportunity – one that will allow you to fulfill your happiness outside of the office.
 

3. Risk – Are you afraid of losing your job because the company isn’t performing well? If your company is at risk, you should have a talk with the person you report to in order to determine where you stand (and if downsizing is in the immediate future). It sounds obvious, but many people don’t think to have a contingency plan.
 

4. Another (Better) Opportunity – Does a better opportunity await you? No, really. Were you presented with an opportunity that would make you much happier? If the answer is yes, then congratulations! The general rule is don’t leave your current position, if you don’t already have a new position lined up – so if you do decide to move on, make sure you will be able to support yourself throughout the job search. 

 

Answering the “Should I leave my job?” question can be a very difficult one to answer, but if you think about the questions outlined above, you’ll be on the right path to making your decision.