5 questions to ask yourself when you're unsure about your job

We spend a large part of our lives at work. Having a job you don’t like can make life miserable. Couple this with the fact that the majority of us consider having a career that we love and thrive in as a priority and you can see why it’s so important to not only choose the right job but to admit when it’s time to move on.

When you start having doubts about your situation, company, industry, or even the career you’ve chosen, it can be difficult to commit to making the right decision. We get clouded by thoughts of judgement, uncertainty, and even regret.

So, when you do decide to have a conversation with yourself about which decision is best for you and your career what questions should you ask?

Let’s dive into a few of the factors you should consider when you’re unsure about your job.

You have to put yourself first when it comes to your life. You can’t be happy in life if your job - where you spend so much of your time and energy - makes you miserable.

5 questions to ask yourself when you're unsure about your job

Do I have the chance to progress?

Progression is essential for growth. Growth is essential in the pursuit of happiness and meaning. It’s what often gets us out of bed in the morning and it’s what gives that feeling of ‘ah look how far I’ve come in the last year.’ What people don’t tell you, though, is that without progression, passion dies. There is an inherent connection between the visibility of improvement and the feeling of pride. We feel good almost entirely when we work hard; when we’re challenged to improve and overcome obstacles and do exactly that. There needs to be at least an element of career progression in your job. That doesn’t just mean climbing the corporate ladder or taking your boss’ job. Are you becoming a better person? A better team player? A better manager? Are you able to work for promotions and pay raises? Progression means that there is a foundation for you to move upwards, not just stay as you were when you arrived.

Am I learning enough?

Something that we say in our office is that every day is at school day. They say that you learn something new every day, and if you aren’t then you should start. Working for the right company and under the right people means you should be encouraged to learn and improve. Our minds need as much training as our bodies do. If you go to the gym and work out, yet you’re doing the same mindless work day in and day out with no pursuit of wonder and no options to learn new and interesting things that you can use in your job, then your brain will suffer. There are countless ways you can learn in your job. Learn from your peers. Learn from your mentors. Learn online and offline. You should always be learning.

Am I earning enough?

There’s kind of a rule that we try and get people to stick to when deciding if they should stay in their job and it’s this: you must be learning or earning in your job - both are great, one is standard, and neither is unacceptable. If you are neither earning nor learning right now, you should consider a new job. What does it mean to be earning enough? It doesn’t mean getting paid more than everyone else in the world in your industry. It simply means you’re paid fairly for the value you bring, and in the realms of what someone with your title should be paid. Find out if these things are true and then decide whether your current job is right for you.

Am I reaching my potential?

The pursuit of potential is certainly a noble one. If you can honestly answer that either you are at your potential (which most people aren’t) or you have the opportunity to reach your potential (which everyone should), then chances are you’re in the right place. It’s exciting when we’re pushed and challenged to become the best versions of ourselves, especially professionally. It’s even more thrilling when we exceed expectations; particularly the ones we set ourselves. Do you have the opportunity to reach your potential?

What does the future of the company look like?

This question should tell you everything you need to know about whether or not your job is right for you. Things change all the time and what you thought was a forward-thinking, innovative company with a bright future may now be all about cutting corners and squeezing money out of their customers. It happens. Maybe it’s time to re-evaluate what you perceive the direction of the company to be. How do you feel about going to the office every day and the work you do for them? How is the atmosphere - is it still fun or is it hostile? Is the culture what it once was, or what the directors told you it was going to be? Consider the answer to all of these questions and then ask yourself: what does the future of the company look like?