five signs it’s time to change jobs

The Sunday blues and feeling unmotivated and disillusioned with your work are among the signs you could be in need of a new job. Discover the 5 tell-tale signs you’re due a change in this article.

Rate this content

 

The dreaded Sunday night blues and feeling generally uninspired and unmotivated by work are just two of the signs it could be time for you to move on. And if you’re feeling this way, you aren’t alone. According to recruitment company, Randstad UK, almost 7 in 10 employees are ready to change jobs within the next couple of months. 

Staying in a job you’re not happy with could mean you do yourself more harm than good in the long-run. However, no matter how miserable you may feel, best practice guidance dictates that it’s always best to find a new job first before handing in your notice. 

Could it be time for you to start looking for your next position? Take a look at these five tell-tale signs to find out. 

“Thanks to caba’s guidance, I’m doing relationship based, advisory work that I find exhilarating and I’m good at. The big picture change is that my work-life balance is much improved, and I can enjoy my family life a lot more. caba were there when I really needed them, and they delivered for me.”

Roger

caba client

the stress is making you ill 

Job stress may be a fact of life for most people, but how you manage it can make all the difference. If you don’t enjoy your job or find it worthwhile, the stress that comes with it may affect you more severely, leading to physical and mental health problems. 

Constantly being stressed out at work may result in you worrying about things and feeling irritable. As a result, you may smoke and/or drink more than normal, and eat too much unhealthy food or lose your appetite altogether. It’s not uncommon for people to suffer with headaches, as well as general aches and pains, nausea, dizziness and regularly colds. 

Is your job taking its toll on your health and relationships (in and outside of work)? Is it really worth all the stress and hassle? If work-related stress is getting to you, try these mindfulness techniques, to help calm and relax your mind. 

you’ve lost your enthusiasm 

Do you find that most days, you can’t wait for the end of the day when you can pack up and go home? However, when you get home, you spend most of your time complaining about your job and dread having to go back into the office the next morning? 

If you feel stuck in a rut, and as though you only work to pay the bills, you’re no longer enjoying your job. And if your enthusiasm has gone, your performance will almost inevitably suffer, which will make things even worse for you. 

Putting some effort into something positive, such as job hunting, could help reignite your passion for work again. If the idea of doing something completely different appeals to you, have a read of this article, ‘8 key considerations for retraining for a new career.’ 

you feel like you don’t fit in 

Maybe you once loved being a valued part of your organisation, but now dislike all or most of your colleagues. Or perhaps you don’t get on with your manager and are frustrated with their management style.  

Feeling like an outsider, with no passion for the company you work for or feeling of fulfilment, is far from desirable. In turn, it can make you feel low and undervalued, especially if you receive little or no recognition or praise for your work. This doesn’t have to be the norm, and is a clear sign it may be time to find a role where you feel less isolated and more appreciated. 

“Accountants are programmed to think they should be able to do things on their own and not need support from a charity. But it's better to think of caba as a professional body that exists to help you grow and prosper. I'm so glad that I got in touch with them.”

James

caba client

your skills are being ignored 

If your core skills aren’t part of your job, and there aren’t any opportunities to use them within your current role in the future, it can leave you feeling unmotivated. It may be that you’re overqualified, and because you can’t perform to your maximum ability, you feel bored. 

Consider this: there is a job out there that’s ideal for you – a job where your skills can be regularly put to good use and where you can achieve so much more. However, it’s unlikely that this amazing job will come to you – it’s up to you to find it. 

you’ve gone as far as you can go 

You know you’ve hit the career wall when there are no further possibilities of being promoted with your current employer. Or it could be that you’re no longer learning and stimulating your mind or being stretched by new challenges. 

And despite working hard and performing well, you just keep getting more-and-more work handed to you and are constantly overlooked for promotion. This situation is far from ideal, especially if you no longer have a healthy work-life balance. Likewise, you may find that you’re just coasting in your current role and do everything on auto pilot every single day. If this is you, and you’re not happy with the situation, see what other opportunities are around. You may be pleasantly surprised. 

While it can be really easy to stay put in your current position and hope that things will get better, this isn’t always the case. Finding a new job and then having to go for interviews etc. may be daunting, but if it’s for a job that’s ideal for you, it’ll be far more beneficial in the long-run. If any of the signs listed above seem familiar to you, we hope you use them as a springboard to take action. 

training and events

5 December 2024

supercharge your sleep

In need of a good night’s sleep? This training explores a range of ideas and activities, all aimed at helping you improve the quality and …
enhanced webinar
6 December 2024

managing personal finances

When our finances start to feel out of control, this can have a knock-on effect on our mental and physical wellbeing. Discover ways to balance …
espresso series
12 December 2024

explore your mindset, achieve your potential

Developing a growth mindset can be transformative. It's all about embracing challenges and persisting in the face of setbacks. Learn about the …
espresso series
16 January 2025

communication skills - imparting information effectively

What would it be like if you could interact in a way that impresses, influences and inspires? Whether it’s in writing, video calls or in person, …
espresso series

view all training and events 

your questions answered 

Who is eligible for support?

We support past and present members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW), ACA students, ICAEW staff members, and the family and carers of members and students. 

  1. No matter where your career takes you, past and present members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England Wales (ICAEW) are eligible for caba’s services for life, even if you change your career and leave accountancy 
  2. ACA students (ICAEW Provisional Members) who are either an active student or have been an active student within the last three years are eligible for caba's services 
  3. Past and present staff members of the ICAEW or caba are eligible for caba's services for life, even if you leave either organisation. Please note, for former employees, our financial support is only available to those who have had five years continuous employment with either organisation 
  4. Family members and carers of either an eligible past or present ICAEW member, ACA student or past or present employee of the ICAEW or caba are eligible for caba's support. We define a family member as a: 
    1. spouse, civil partner or cohabiting partner 
    2. widow, widower or surviving civil partner who has not remarried or cohabiting with a partner 
    3. divorced spouse or civil partner who has not remarried or cohabiting with a partner 
    4. child aged up to 25. Please note, children aged between 16 and 25 are not eligible for individual financial support 
    5. any other person who is dependent on the eligible individual supporting them financially or are reliant on the eligible individual’s care 
    6. any other person on whom the eligible individual is reliant, either financially or for care 

You can find out more about our available support both in the UK and around the world on our support we offer page and by using our interactive eligibility tool

Are your services means-tested?

If you need financial support, we carry out a means test where we consider income, expenditure, capital and assets.  

*Please note none of our other services are means-tested. 

I’m an accountant, but not a member of ICAEW, can you still help?

Unfortunately not. We only support past and present ICAEW members, their carers and their families. If we are unable to support you, where possible we will point you to help elsewhere.

caba has supported me in the past; can I receive support from caba again?

We understand that circumstances change. If we’ve helped you in the past there’s no reason why we can’t help you again. You can contact us at any time. Please call us if you need our help.

view more questions



Not got the answer to your question?