10 signs you're in the wrong job

Everyone hopes to make good career choices that will lead them to a happy, prosperous future. But unfortunately, not everything is in your control when it comes to job satisfaction. For example, if you’re popping antacids like candy and haven’t slept in three nights because you’re enduring a toxic workplace, those are clear indications that you need a new job.

In other cases, though, the signs you need a new job aren’t as obvious as chronic pain and sleeplessness.

The following are 10 indications you’re in the wrong job. If these scenarios sound familiar, you owe it to yourself to make a change.

Sunday nights fill you with dread

Sadly, some people have a recurring case of the Sunday night blues—meaning they dread going back to work every week, says Julie Colbrese, career coach and founder of Hot Coffee Coaching. That kind of job anxiety isn’t healthy, and it can even cause your career to stall out if you let it reach a breaking point.

You’re bored to tears

Not feeling challenged by your job? Workplace boredom may be stripping you of your creative abilities, warns executive career coach Bill Belknap. While you might have a day here or there when you’re stuck with your least-favorite task, or business slows down and you have to wait for it to pick back up again, deep-seated boredom is typically a sign of a bigger issue, Belknap says. As in, you need a job that offers more stimulation and encourages your career development.

You don’t mesh with your boss

Jobs run by micromanagers or a boss who yells are no place for you to be. That’s obvious. What may be harder for you to recognize, though, is when you just aren’t compatible with your manager. This often takes place when work styles clash, says Mitchell Kusy, a professor at Antioch University’s Graduate School of Leadership & Change and author of Why I Don't Work Here Anymore. And, being out of sync with your boss can create tension that can hold back your career, Kusy says.

Your values don’t align with the company’s mission

So many career specialists talk about the importance of “cultural fit”—yet, many professionals still make the mistake of working for an employer that doesn’t match their core values, laments Paul Thallner, an executive culture consultant at Great Place to Work, a global advisory and research firm. One reason that happens, Thallner says, is because it can be difficult for a job seeker, as an outsider, to accurately assess a prospective employer’s culture. Nonetheless, “you have to be able to recognize when your company is a bad fit culturally, and realize when it’s time to move on,” says Thallner.

There’s no room for advancement

In an ideal world, your career is always on an upward trajectory. But, if your job tops out and there are no opportunities for a promotion, don’t wait around for one to magically materialize. It’s your responsibility to find a company where your career can continue to climb, Belknap says.

Your skills are stagnant

To stay on top of your game, you must be consistently learning new skills, while also sharpening the skills you have. Some jobs, though, can make this difficult or even impossible, Belknap says. You’re not doing yourself (or the company!) any favors with a stagnating skill set. A good employer, however, “invests in your skills development.” Translation: If you’re not getting the technical training or support that you need from your company, it’s time to find a job at a company that does.

Your workload is overwhelming

There’s a huge difference between having a busy job and having a job that is untenable. Frequently feeling overwhelmed at work because the company is understaffed? “That can be a detriment to your job, especially if you’re so overextended that you can’t keep up with your work,” Colbrese says.

You’re a loner at work

Workplace friendships are crucial. Studies show having friends at work can improve not only job satisfaction but also job performance. Consequently, if you’re not clicking with anyone in your office, you could be at the wrong job. According to Colbrese: “If you haven’t formed friendly relationships at work after three to six months, that’s a sign you haven’t acclimated to the organization.”

Your position is becoming obsolete

Losing a lot of your job responsibilities? It’s time to wake up and acknowledge what’s happening: Your position is becoming obsolete. Soon enough, it’s likely you’ll be on the chopping block. Finding a new job before you get laid off, therefore, can help you prevent from having a gap in your employment.

You’re reading this article

We’re not kidding! If you’re reading this article, you might be looking for signs that confirm your job is a poor fit, and if that’s the case, it’s probably time to find a new job. Need help with your job search? Join Monster today for free. As a member, you can upload up to five versions of your resume—each tailored to the types of jobs that interest you. Additionally, you can get job alerts sent directly to your inbox to cut down on time spent looking through ads. You’ll be accepting a job offer before you know it.