My American Dream - Finding Career Fulfillment With My Kids Looking On

7 Signs It's Time To Get A New Job

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I have always been fortunate to work for reputable companies in the field of work that I have pursued. I’ve had positive experiences during each career chapter, along with negatives ones (haven’t we all?!) However, I would not change a thing during the course of my career progression due to the fact that if anything was slightly different, I would not have ended up where I currently am in my career. All of the positives and negatives have contributed to the life lessons that I have learned to help me realize my American Dream, all while my kids have been looking on.

I left two former companies because of compensation needs, and one company due to hitting a career dead end. Hindsight is always 20/20, and I can see clearly now that the true end at this one particular place hit months (errrr, years!) before I actually made the move to another company. I am the eternal optimistic type, so I didn’t want to give up too early before knowing that any growth potential was truly off the table. I tried several approaches to communicate my goals and how they would align with the company, and in doing so, I realized that the writing was on the wall.

I know my kids heard these career conversations in the evening. Yes, they are young, but they are also tiny sponges. They pick up on every single nuance and detail that we project as parents. I knew they could sense resentment that I had with going to a company that I no longer felt valued my ideas and contribution.

As a working mom, and as I become more senior in my field, I feel that the concept of starting over with a new company is intimidating. Having two small children at home makes the thoughts of updating a resume, custom-curating resumes job-by-job, applying, phone screening, shopping for interview clothing, meeting people in-person, negotiating terms, quitting a current job, having a “first day of a new job”, meeting new co-workers, and learning a new role sound like a daunting process. And it is! But it is so very much worth it.

Here are 7 signs that it’s time to throw in the towel, update your resume, and show yourself and your family that you are capable of doing whatever it takes to reach your goals:

1) You Begin To Realize That Your Core Values Do Not Align With Your Company’s Core Values.

I realized this early on, but I tried to make it work. Some of the individuals within one particular organization that I had worked for used fear-based management tactics throughout the workplace. Ownership and accountability were low, while blame and finger-pointing were high.

This organization was well-established and seemed to value employees who came to work every day to do a specific, finite, and repetitive task over those who pushed forward new ideas and strategies. Trust and communication among the employees were non-existent, which can cause a company to crash and burn. This style certainly works for some employees, but for me, it was a red flag to move on as soon as possible.

2) You’ve Identified A Problem, Proposed A Solution, But Your Company Is Not Receptive.

Work smarter, not harder. This has always been my philosophy. There is no time in our short lives to allow for problem redundancy. However, every company has a different set of priorities. A start-up organization will often place a higher value on those who can navigate and correct issues early on. When maintaining and protecting a hierarchy of authority becomes more important than becoming better at the core, this may be a sign that it’s time to get a new job.

3) It Becomes Crystal Clear That It Is Easier To Join A New Culture Than Change An Established One.

After putting up a good fight, you begin to realize that it’s not THAT difficult to go out and secure a new role for yourself. You realize that you’ve done this before and that there are many other companies out there that can offer all types of experiences that would be an excellent fit for your specific personality and career fulfillment needs.

It is often a toxic culture that drives employees away from an organization. Remember though - what’s toxic to one person may not be viewed as toxic to another. When the corporate Koolaid in your glass begins to taste cheap and synthetic, spit it out and update your resume.

4) You Pitch a New Role With New Responsibilities For Yourself, But Support Is Limited.

No asks, no gets. No one will ever just hand you that role you so very much want and crave. I once wrote a proposal, took it to my VP and four other managers and directors, and was met with a multitude of roadblocks for not being able to do what I felt I am best at doing. I was told that I was “more valuable” in my current role, which was disappointing to hear because that role felt tired. This information was actually telling me that my current role was more valuable to my organization than any type of progressive role that I was interesting in spearheading. This was definitely a sign to pack up my bags.

5) You Begin To Take Up Other Hobbies In Order To Fulfill Career Voids.

I’ve learned that it is ridiculous to expect a 40 hour per week job to fulfill a person in every possible way. If yours does - congratulations - you’ve hit the job jackpot. I’m happy to say that this is how I feel about my current role - this is my first blog post in over four months! Job jackpots are epic - and are within the realm of reality to achieve.

6) You Put A Resume Out And Begin To Get Positive Responses.

“You like me. You really like me!” This is a PSA to TEST THE WATERS! Applying for a new job does not mean you will take it, or have to take it. It’s merely an exploration for what else is out there. Sometimes, you don’t know, until you know. It is exciting to see and investigate how your skillset can fit into other organizations. As you become more senior in your career, it becomes easier to identify a good fit when you see it.

7) Realization That Every Company Is Different, And That You May Need To Kiss A Few Frogs Before Finding Your Prince.

Some people are lucky and find a forever career home from the start. Other people are lucky in that they realize early on the moves they need to make to find a career that will bring them daily joy. I am not saying that every day needs to be sunshine and rainbows, but after working for four organizations post-college, I definitely know the difference between career fulfillment and career emptiness.

Now that I have found and joined an organization with products and a mission that I can get behind, I am beyond fulfilled. It’s still difficult to leave my kids each day, but I am proud of the fact that they get to see their mom go off to a job that truly brings joy and fulfillment.

To me, this is the new American Dream. I have the privilege to be a mom, have a wonderful career at a company that values my contribution, and the ability to support my family. I believe that I am setting the best example for my kids that I can, one that will empower them as they grow up to make the best choices for themselves and their families as they navigate life and their future careers.