by Dolores Moore

Created on: August 27, 2008

At the risk of standing accused of exaggeration for affect, I would say there are almost as many reasons for leaving a current job as there are jobs out there. Oh, alright, mabe not so many, so I will be selective, otherwise this article could become as long as "War and Peace." Basically, as you read through, you will discover that sometimes you have no choice and sometimes, you have to make the choice yourself. Always remember, it is your life and happiness we are speaking of in this issue, alongside career satisfaction.

The first reason I can confirm as my own personal motivation for leaving - boredom. Bearing in mind that most of us spend at least one third of our lives in work, doing a job that holds little challenge or interest, is soul-destroying. It kills the desire to get up in the morning and go to work, knowing each day will just be the same old routine, with no surprises. Maybe there are great co-workers, good bosses, but if the job itself offers no prospects of change, and can be carried out with the eyes closed and one arm tied behind the back, then it is definitely time to look for something more stimulating.

Then there is pay. Perhaps you have reached the top of the payscale your job offers, but you feel you are worth more. Asking for a raise has fallen on deaf ears, and maybe even singled you out as a potential troublemaker. You know you can no longer make ends meet on this salary, so you have little choice but to do something about it. You also know that elsewhere, your skills and experience command a better rate of pay. This is when it would be good to look around and get your CV up to date.

Travel and distance can also take its toll on your pleasure in going to work. Instead of 8-9 hours, you can add an hour or even two at each end of the working day. How much life-work balance can you realistically achieve in such circumstances? You might have to take a job nearer home with less pay, or one that is not exactly your ideal choice, but just think how much more time you can have to be with your family, or do the things you like to do. You could leave your current job, having made your own choice, and liberate yourself.

Relationships with co-workers and managers are yet other important aspects of work, and if a happy situation and good atmosphere do not exist, then a miserably, stressful working life might be your lot. We all like some people more than others, that is human nature; in the workplace, some stereotypical characters make things hard.

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