Lately, it seems I’ve been talking to more people who are really frustrated at work…a mix of being on projects that are going nowhere, lack of accountability for missed dates or incompetence, fatigue at “flat is the new up” as a way to justify no increases in years of clear inflation. So, some lessons learned on the age old question we all face during our career: “should I stay or should I go?”

A couple of things:

1. You. Is it a good time for you to enter the market, given your age, expertise, background, and skill sets?  This is when you have to be brutally honest…we all think we have value. That’s the wrong question. Will someone else feel the same? Will they pay you?  Will they value as much as you’re valued now?
2. Why are you leaving?
   1. Role: I’ve moved companies 4 times. But at each company, I’ve had different roles.  Do you want to leave the role or the company? I found the company was usually good, I just got bored/frustrated in my role.  Finding a new role was much better than changing firms all together. All that knowledge, networks, good will follows you to the next stint.
   2. You hate your job, and can’t change roles.  Why do you hate your job? Is it your boss? Is it the culture?  Did something change recently with you or the firm? What is driving you crazy?  Does it ebb and flow, or is it all pervasive?
      1. If it’s your boss: figure out how to handle your reactions….don’t bother trying to change his/her/their behavior.  If it’s someone you don’t respect, who is doing BAD things…find something else.
      2. If it’s the culture: some industries have unique cultures. They can be sales oriented, focused on bleeding edge, be lenient on due dates, less focused on process. Make sure you understand whether or not the culture is unique, or if that’s the nature of the beast. Is it the industry that drives you crazy? Can you switch industries and still provide value you will be paid for?
   3. Can you afford to leave?
      1. If the worst happens and it doesn’t work out, can you afford to be out of work and looking under pressure?
      2. Do you leave money on the table…e.g. unvested options?  Is it still worth it?
      3. If the new company as established as your existing one?  Lots of start-ups fail….it sounds great till you realize that they only have enough operating cash for 4 months.

Whenever you “hate” your job, the people who care about you will often tell you to leave, find something else, life is too short. All true.  They believe in you and care about you. BUT…

But I have found in my career that as you progress, the risk goes up with a move.  We all have expiration dates.  The key is to try and be as objective as possible, and to make sure if you do move…you move for the right reason, to the right place, with the right financial circumstances.