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How to Determine When it’s Time to Look for a New Job

(5 votes, average 5.00 out of 5)
Written by donata   

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It’s good to have a job that you can look forward to going to when you are scheduled to be there.  You should count your blessings if you are one of the fortunate ones who are gainfully employed today.  Conversely, there is no guarantee that you will be employed tomorrow should your employer decides otherwise. 

However, there is a way in which you can discern whether or not you are in danger of losing your job. Don’t wait to get the axe…but you should begin searching while you are yet employed. Sometimes it’s easier to find work when you are employed than when you are unemployed.  Avoid that long unemployment line and start looking now if you suspect that your job is in danger!  Here are some helpful warning signs for determining if you should start looking for a new job.

Step 1

If you have been repeatedly passed over for promotions or limited growth opportunities

If you know that you were next in line for a promotion because you meet the criteria for the position but yet you are never given the opportunity to apply for jobs of your interest, you might need to start looking for a new job externally.

Step 2

If  your hours have been drastically cut

If your manager has cut your hours so that you are now making much less than you did five years ago, you should consider looking for a new job if you don’t make enough money to meet your expenses.

Step 3

If you are training someone for your current job

If your manager suddenly asks that you begin training a co-worker for the job that you currently do, you should find out the reason for it.  Are you training for the purpose of cross-training or job sharing? Will you be learning how to do your co-workers job, as well?  If your manager cannot reasonably explain why you are training your co-worker for your job, you might want to start looking for a new job.

Step 4

If you are suddenly excluded from departmental meetings, etc.

If you find that you are not properly notified of meetings that you would normally attend, you will need to find out why you are now being excluded from learning important job information.   Could it be an oversight, or was it purposely done?   Your manager will need to explain the reason behind it.

Step 5

If your current position is being phased out or company is downsizing

If you hear rumors that your position might be phase out, you should speak with your manager to find out whether or not this is true.  If you find that your position is being phased out due to departmental downsizing or restructuring you should start looking for a new job.

Step 6

If you have multiple write ups

If you know that you have multiple write ups in your file, you should know the reason for those write ups.   Also, you have more than likely received a verbal warning before the write ups.  Keep in mind, eventually the next step will be a possible suspension or termination.   You should keep your eyes open for new job openings elsewhere.

Step 7

If you haven’t received a pay raise in a while

If you have not received a pay raise in quite some time, you should discuss this with your manager to find out why and what you can do to receive one.  If your manager fails to give you a satisfactory answer or purposely evade the issue, you may want to start looking for a new job.

Step 8

If you have been demoted

A demotion is a sure warning sign that your job performance is below your manager’s expectations of you.  Keep in mind that the next step might be termination.  If you have been demoted at you current place of work, you should not hesitate to begin looking for a new job externally.

Step 9

If your immediate manager dislikes you

And finally, if your manger dislikes you for some unknown reasons, he or she can make it difficult for you to succeed no matter how hard you try to prove yourself.   Even if you try to transfer to another department, they could still find a way to make things difficult for you.   Or, he or she may just decide to terminate you, just because… They don’t necessarily have to give you a good reason. If you are certain that your manager dislikes you, it might be to your advantage to start looking for another job externally before you are suddenly terminated.

Tips:

*Employment at will is legal

*Sometimes it’s easier to find work when you are employed

*Use your vacation and personal days to interview for jobs

* Give your employer a two week notice if you should find a new job

*Leave on good terms

*http://www.firehow.com/200912145743/how-to-search-for-a-new-job-more-effectively.html

*http://www.firehow.com/2010031010032/how-to-shift-from-temp-to-perm-while-working-on-a-job-assignment.html

Warnings:

*If you feel that you are a victim of discrimination, seek legal advice

*Don’t let your manager know you are looking for a new job

*Don’t ignore the warning signs, but don’t quit your job until you find a new one


Comments (3)add comment

ashlee84 said:

ashlee84
...
them are some really good suggestions. number 3 would be the one that would really suck though.
 
January 25, 2010
Votes: +1

lighthouse1958 said:

lighthouse1958
...
I lost the best job I ever had because my supervisor wanted her child to have my position, plus I knew some things about her that I tried to ignore but she knew I knew. She made it so hard on me until I finally did quit. She couldn't fire me because I did a very good job for the company.


 
January 25, 2010
Votes: +1

goodselfme said:

goodselfme
...
Tx for sharing your wisdom about when to look for a new job. Excellent tips
 
January 27, 2010
Votes: +1

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