by Ted Sherman

Created on: July 20, 2009   Last Updated: July 23, 2009

There are always very definite signs at work that tell you there's an immediate need for you to start looking for a new job. All you have to do is read them correctly and take appropriate and immediate action. Some signs may be subtle hints that you should seek employment elsewhere, while others may be blatant suggestions that you shouldn't let the company door hit you on the rump as you make your final departure.

However, if you're an aware person, you'll be sure to recognize all the signs and repair the damage to your wounded career. You'll know just when to start sending those resumes flying out into cyberspace, or to line up at the unemployment office. Here are just a few of the ominous omens that you need to start your search for a new job:

1. While you're working really hard, your boss suddenly brings another person to your desk and gruffly pushes you out of your chair.

2. You happen to notice that all the other workers in your division are busy in the back room laughing and singing, while stirring a big pot of boiling tar and plucking feathers from dead chickens.

3. While you're eating in the company's lunchroom all alone (because no one will ever sit with you again), as every employee goes by you, they grin and empty yucky trays full of half-eaten food on your head.

4. Your computer gets obscene email messages from the company president, his wife, his six snotty little kids and his evil dog, Spike.

5. A great big photo of your face is posted on the bulletin board, and you see dozens of employees happily tossing darts at it.

6. When you look at your most recent paycheck, right under your name it has the big words Former Employee and Final Paycheck printed on it.

7. You're happily surprised to be invited to a company celebration they tell you is planned specifically in your honor, but then find out printed on the invitations are the words: Necktie Party.

8. You need to go urgently, but when you take off running to the company restroom, your key no longer works.

9. Lower-ranked employees now totally ignore you and no longer feel it is necessary to laugh at your lousy jokes.

10. A human resources geek comes to inform you that your job qualifications have been carefully re-evaluated, and then hands you a broom and dust pan.

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