Who hasn't experienced this? You come home after a frustrating day at work and think to yourself "I'll look for a new job at the weekend!". Often a little distance helps us to clarify whether the cause of these thoughts is a mood swing - because things aren't going perfectly in our private lives either, for example - or whether there are tangible, real reasons to change employers.
Problem analysis with helpful friends
To find this out, a problem analysis helps. Sounds technical, but it doesn't have to be! Our preferred way is to talk to an objective friend. By being forced to present the facts in as structured a way as possible, you are already sorting things out for yourself in your head. If your conversation partner neutrally and objectively takes in what you have heard, reflects and mirrors it, you will quickly find out whether there are valid reasons for a job change.
Boreout - a qualitative or quantitative underchallenge
Being underchallenged is just as unhealthy as being overchallenged. If you feel like you do the same thing every day, have too little variety and do your tasks left-handed, you are probably qualitatively underchallenged.
This is a condition that is often not even recognised. Dialogue with a trusted person can help to recognise this problem. Now it's time to take action! Schedule a staff meeting and talk to your supervisor about your problem. Is there an option for a substantive job enrichment or a transfer? If not, a job change might be a good idea now.
Lack of opportunities for further development
You wake up in the morning and don't feel like going to work? Have you been in the same job for a long time? Your manager offers neither support nor freedom to develop your potential despite your request? Depending on the size and structure of the company, it may be possible to move to another department and be assigned to a new manager. First explore all possibilities before deciding to separate.
Lack of appreciation
A simple "thank you" can work wonders. Unfortunately, many managers are not aware of this. Yet appreciation and recognition is one of the most common reasons for changing employers. Have you tried Albert Bandura's model learning method? Sometimes it helps to model the desired behaviour to your boss.
Dissatisfaction with the industry or profession
A simple "thank you" can work wonders. Unfortunately, many managers are not aware of this. Yet appreciation and recognition is one of the most common reasons for changing employers. Have you tried Albert Bandura's model learning method? Sometimes it helps to model the desired behaviour to your boss.
More salary with the competition
High on the list of the most common reasons for quitting is salary. Do you have the feeling that your work performance is actually worth more salary? That you earn better at the competition? And do you therefore feel demotivated and perhaps also treated unfairly?
Before you try your luck elsewhere, talk to your supervisor. Perhaps you will succeed in getting a gradual salary increase. Or you might compensate for your salary wishes with other company benefits (e.g. fitness studio, etc.). In any case, it is worthwhile to prepare intensively for this salary interview. Because if the pay is the only drawback of your current company, there is a lot to be said for staying.
How many job changes can a CV take?
In the past, HR managers wanted to see constant CVs with few company changes. In today's VUCA world, which is characterised by agility and speed, applicants' CVs have become far more dynamic and changeable. The question of a maximum number of job changes cannot be answered so easily. It depends on the industry and the profession.
For example, engineers often work on long-term projects that last more than 5 years. In this profession, changing employers every 2 years is unfavourable. In the profession of a financial accountant, this change frequency would be problem-free...
ARTS supports you
ARTS has more than 20 years of experience in the field of HR services. As a project service provider, we solve the personnel and organisational challenges of our clients. No matter in which project, in which area or at which location we are involved: We are one team and share one passion.
My colleague Annika Handrack and I recently dealt with the topic "Happiness Factor Job" in order to generate learnings for ARTS internally on the one hand, and to create recommendations for action (e.g. in the form of a checklist) for our clients on the other. Click here for the presentation "Happiness Factor Job".
You are currently unhappy at your workplace. Be it because you don't receive enough appreciative feedback or have the feeling that you earn too little. Or your opportunities for further development are lacking. Or would you like to take on a completely new challenge and, for example, help create innovative and high-quality services or products? Then ARTS is the right place for you. We offer you a wide range of perspectives for every career level and professional field at locations all over the world. And we will design your job change together with you! Click here for our top jobs.
Frequently asked questions about Changing Jobs
Common reasons include being under-challenged (boreout), a lack of development opportunities, feeling undervalued, dissatisfaction with your industry or profession, and low pay. First check whether your frustration is lasting or just a passing mood. Talking it through with an objective friend helps.
Typical signs are dreading the start of the workday, doing the same tasks with no challenge, and getting little recognition from your manager. If these problems persist and talking to your manager changes nothing, it may be time to move on.
There’s no fixed limit. CVs are far more dynamic today than they used to be. It depends on your industry and role: engineers often work on multi-year projects, so switching every two years can look unfavourable. In accounting, the same frequency is perfectly normal.
Analyse systematically what bothers you and what you’re missing. Explore internal options such as moving to another department or taking on new tasks. If that isn’t enough, an experienced HR services provider like ARTS can help you find the right next role – worldwide and at every career level.