Knowing your success means knowing when it’s time to move on. This can be really hard, especially in your first role, which you might feel fiercely loyal to. Your company may even encourage this by calling it a “family” or saying how they couldn’t do the work without you. While this can feel flattering, it can also keep you trapped in a role where you can’t fulfill your potential.
You’re learning, growing, and mastering your role—so eventually, you will need to move on to bigger things. This might mean taking on more responsibility, earning a promotion, or searching for a new job altogether. Here are some things to consider when deciding if it’s time to make a move.
Are you learning and growing in your current role?
To reach your full potential, you need to push forward and learn new things. Growth doesn’t have to come from official training programs; it can come from your day-to-day experiences, like improving your time management, learning to work well with your boss, or mastering your work processes. These are all valuable signs that you’re still growing in your current position.
If you’re doing the same things you were a year ago without needing to think about them, you might have outgrown your job. Consider what experiences your role is giving you to help move your career forward. If you’ve already mastered everything and there’s nothing more to learn, it’s likely time to move on.
Are the challenges helping you grow—or holding you back?
Not all challenges are productive. Toxic workplace dynamics can create challenges that drain your energy without helping you grow. For example:
- Is your boss constantly taking credit for your work or sidelining your achievements?
- Are your managers setting unrealistic expectations and ignoring your concerns, expecting you to stay late or sacrifice personal time to get things done?
If these challenges keep surfacing and no solutions are being implemented, the situation is unlikely to change. This isn’t something you can overcome alone—and your time and talents may be better valued elsewhere.
Are you inspired?
You do your best work when you feel excited, inspired, and full of ideas. While it’s normal to have off days, if you’re feeling uninspired every day or dreading work, it’s time to look for a role that reignites your spark.
Recognising Gendered Workplace Dynamics
For women in early careers, there can be additional challenges, like being undervalued or expected to take on "invisible work," such as managing team admin or picking up tasks others avoid. If you’re finding these dynamics holding you back, this could be a sign that you’re not in a supportive environment—and it might be time to seek out a workplace that truly values your contributions.
Taking Action
Once you’ve decided it’s time to make a move—or even if you’re still unsure—take action to explore your options:
- Speak to your manager: Let them know you’re looking for opportunities to learn and grow, and ask if there are other responsibilities or projects you can take on.
- Seek out challenges: Could you streamline a long-winded process? Solve a recurring team issue? Or explore ways to improve how you do your work?
- Explore internal opportunities: Are there other roles or teams within your company that could offer growth or promotion opportunities?
- Start searching the job market: Look for roles that offer day-to-day learning, growth opportunities, and inspiration to make a difference.
Trust Your Instincts
Many women in early careers second-guess their readiness to move on. Trust your instincts—if you feel stuck, undervalued, or uninspired, you’re likely ready for a change. Remember, staying in a role that no longer serves you isn’t loyalty; it’s settling. You’re capable of so much more, and it’s okay to prioritize your growth and happiness.
How do you know when it’s time to move on from a role? Have you ever regretted not leaving sooner? What’s holding you back? Post your thoughts or questions in the comments—it’d be great to hear your perspective!
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