Signs you are ready to leave your job

Knowing when it’s time to leave your job isn’t always obvious. It’s rarely about one incident. More often, it’s a build-up of signs that the role is no longer right for you.

As a recruitment agency, we speak to candidates every day who feel stuck, stressed or unsure about their next move. Some are ready to leave but don’t know where to start. Others question whether their concerns are valid.

In this blog, we’ll break down the common signs you’re ready to leave your job, explain what they might be telling you, and share practical advice to help you decide what to do next.

Emotional signs it might be time to leave

Sometimes it’s not the tasks or the title that make you want to move on. It’s how your job makes you feel. If your role is having a negative effect on your wellbeing or motivation, that matters just as much as your responsibilities or salary.

These are some of the most common emotional signs to quit your job that candidates share with us.

1. You get the ‘Sunday scaries’ every week

Feeling flat on a Sunday evening is fairly normal. But if you regularly spend your weekend dreading the week ahead, it could be a sign your job is affecting your personal time and mental space.

The cause might be the workload, your team environment or simply not enjoying what you do anymore. If this has become a weekly pattern, it’s worth asking whether your current role still suits your goals and wellbeing.

You don’t need to act on it straight away, but you should take it seriously.

2. Work anxiety is affecting your mental health

We often speak to candidates who say work is starting to impact how they feel day to day. That might show up in poor sleep, loss of focus, low energy or feeling constantly on edge.

A job should challenge you, but not to the point where it harms your health. If you find yourself feeling anxious most of the time, or it’s starting to affect your confidence or relationships, it may be time to rethink your working environment.

It’s also worth speaking to someone you trust, or even a recruiter, to explore what other roles might offer a healthier balance.

3. You dread going to work each morning

If you regularly wake up wishing you didn’t have to start work, it’s not something to brush off. It usually means there’s a deeper issue with your role, environment or workload.

This feeling might come from stress, a lack of purpose, or just being ready for something different. We see this often with candidates who have stayed longer than they wanted to, hoping things would improve.

If that morning dread has become your normal, it could be one of the clearest signs you’re ready to leave your job.

You’re not growing anymore

Career growth looks different for everyone. For some, it means promotions and progression. For others, it’s about developing new skills or being exposed to different projects. When none of that is happening, it can leave you feeling stuck or disengaged.

We regularly speak to candidates who tell us they’ve outgrown their role but don’t know what else is out there. If that sounds familiar, the following signs can help confirm it’s time to move on.

4. You’re not learning anything new

Learning doesn’t have to mean formal training. It can come from new tasks, team projects, shadowing others or getting feedback on your work.

If you can’t remember the last time you learned something new, it might be a sign your role has become too narrow or repetitive. When development stops, it’s easy to fall into routine and lose interest in what you’re doing.

To stay competitive and engaged, you need challenges that help you stretch and build confidence. If that’s not happening where you are, it might be time to look for a role that can offer it.

5. Your role feels stagnant with no room to grow

Sometimes you hit a ceiling. You’ve done everything the job allows, and there’s no sign of anything changing. That could be due to team structure, lack of leadership support or a company that doesn’t prioritise progression.

If you’ve raised this with your manager and still don’t see a clear path forward, you’re not imagining it. A stagnant role can make it harder to stay motivated, especially when you’re capable of more.

Knowing your next step is important. If it doesn’t exist internally, it could be time to find it elsewhere.

6. You’re bored, unchallenged, or stuck

You shouldn’t feel busy for the sake of being busy. If your tasks no longer interest you, or you’ve been doing the same thing for months without any change, boredom can quickly lead to burnout.

A common sign you’re ready to leave your job is when you feel mentally switched off. You might be completing tasks on autopilot or counting down the hours each day.

If there’s no challenge, no variation, and no sign of that changing, you might have already outgrown the role.

You’re not getting the recognition you deserve

Doing your job well is expected. But when you go above and beyond regularly and it’s ignored, it can lead to frustration, burnout or a drop in motivation. Recognition doesn’t always mean promotions or pay rises, but a consistent lack of appreciation can be a clear sign that your efforts aren’t being valued.

If you’re delivering more but seeing little in return, it might be time to reassess what you’re getting out of your role.

7. You're doing more, but not getting rewarded

Taking on more responsibility can be a good sign of trust. But when that extra work isn’t acknowledged, rewarded or supported, it starts to feel like you’re being taken for granted.

We often hear from candidates who say they’ve been doing parts of a more senior role without the title, pay or recognition. If you’ve raised this and nothing changes, it’s reasonable to consider other opportunities where your work will be valued properly.

Progress doesn’t just come from what you do — it also comes from being in an environment that recognises your growth.

8. Your pay hasn’t kept up with your responsibilities

If your role has changed significantly but your salary hasn’t, it’s a clear signal something is out of balance. Whether you’ve taken on new projects, stepped in to cover for others, or helped the business during busy periods, compensation should reflect that.

Pay isn’t everything, but it does matter. If your responsibilities have increased without review, and there’s no indication of change, it might be time to speak to a recruiter about what your skills are worth elsewhere.

Understanding your market value can help you make a more confident decision.

9. You feel undervalued and overlooked

Being overlooked in meetings, missing out on opportunities, or seeing less experienced colleagues promoted ahead of you can all leave you feeling discouraged.

Sometimes it’s about company culture. Sometimes it’s about visibility or lack of support from management. Either way, if you feel like your voice isn’t heard or your contributions don’t matter, it’s hard to stay engaged.

Everyone deserves to feel recognised for the work they do. If that’s consistently missing, it could be one of the signs you’re ready to leave your job.

The company no longer feels right for you

Sometimes it's not your role that's changed, but the business around you. As companies evolve, priorities shift, leadership changes or values become less clear. If the direction no longer fits with what matters to you, that disconnect can start to affect your motivation and trust.

We often speak to candidates who say, “It just doesn’t feel like the same place anymore.” That’s a valid reason to reassess your fit.

10. Your values don’t match the company anymore

If the company is heading in a direction you don’t agree with, it’s hard to feel aligned or committed to the work. Maybe there’s been a change in leadership, a new strategy or internal decisions that don’t sit well with you.

Your personal values don’t have to match your employer’s exactly. But if there’s a clear gap, especially around ethics, priorities or people, it becomes difficult to stay motivated long term.

You’ll get more from your job when you believe in what the business stands for. If that’s no longer the case, it might be time to explore other environments where you can feel more connected.

11. You’re being asked to do things that don’t sit right with you

If you’ve been asked to overlook poor behaviour, bend the rules or act in ways that feel uncomfortable, this can be more than a workplace issue. It’s a sign the culture may no longer support integrity or healthy standards.

These situations often make people question whether they’re still in the right place. If you’ve raised concerns and they’ve been dismissed or ignored, it’s a strong indication that your priorities don’t match the company’s.

A new role should never come at the expense of your values or confidence. If you’re starting to compromise what matters to you, it may be time to step away.

The work environment is taking a toll

Even if you enjoy the work itself, the environment around you plays a major role in how sustainable the job is. A poor culture, difficult management, or lack of support can affect your energy, confidence and wellbeing over time.

We regularly speak to candidates who say they didn’t realise how much their work environment was impacting them until they stepped away from it. If you recognise these signs, it may be time to consider whether staying is still the right choice.

12. The culture feels toxic or negative

Company culture isn’t just about perks or social events. It’s about how people treat each other, how issues are handled and whether you feel safe and respected in your role.

If gossip, blame or fear of speaking up have become part of your daily routine, that isn’t something you should learn to tolerate. A toxic culture can slowly wear you down, making it harder to stay motivated or even enjoy your wins.

You deserve to work in a space where people are supported and treated fairly. If the culture is holding you back, it could be a sign to move on.

Read more: How to find the ideal work environment for you

13. You’re being micromanaged or ignored

Good management helps you grow. But if you feel constantly monitored, second-guessed or excluded from decisions that affect your work, it’s difficult to stay engaged.

On the other hand, some candidates tell us they feel invisible in their teams. They’re left out of conversations, rarely receive feedback and have no real communication with their manager. Both extremes can leave you feeling stuck and unsupported.

If you’ve raised these issues and nothing has changed, it’s fair to explore other roles where you can work with more trust and autonomy.

14. It’s affecting your energy, confidence or health

You might start to notice small changes — less motivation, more tiredness, shorter patience. Over time, the wrong work environment can start to affect how you see yourself and how you show up outside of work too.

Whether it’s mental, physical or emotional, if the job is draining you consistently, that’s not something to ignore. It doesn’t have to be dramatic to be damaging.

If your energy or self-belief has dropped noticeably since starting the role, that could be one of the most important signs you’re ready to leave your job.

There’s no clear future here

A healthy working environment should give you clarity on what’s ahead. That might be a promotion path, access to new projects, or simply the chance to grow into something more. If none of that is available, it can make your role feel short-term, even if you’ve been in it for a while.

We often speak to jobseekers who say they’ve reached a point where they can’t see how things will change. If that sounds familiar, the signs below may help confirm it’s time to move on.

15. There are no real opportunities to move up

If you’ve expressed interest in progressing and nothing has changed, it might not be due to your performance. It could be the structure of the team, a lack of investment from the business, or simply limited opportunity.

It’s not always about titles, but you should be able to see some kind of path ahead. If roles above you never change, if decisions are made behind closed doors, or if progression is promised but never delivered, it’s understandable to start looking elsewhere.

You don’t need to wait for things to open up if they haven’t for months or years. Your time and skills can be used in a role that offers more direction.

16. You can’t picture yourself here in a year

One simple question can say a lot: do you see yourself still in this role or at this company in a year?

If the answer is no, and you’ve felt that way for a while, that’s something to take seriously. You may be staying out of habit, loyalty or fear of change — but that isn’t always the right reason to stay.

It’s worth thinking about what’s missing and what you want from your next step. If your current role or company can’t offer that, it might be time to explore what else is out there.

17. The company’s future seems uncertain

Sometimes the issue isn’t just your role, but the wider business. If you’ve noticed high turnover, budget cuts, unclear goals or sudden leadership changes, these can be signs of instability.

It’s normal for companies to go through change, but if those changes are constant and poorly managed, it can affect job security and morale. You might start to feel unsure about committing your time and energy to something that may not last.

When the future of the business feels unclear, it’s reasonable to prioritise your own stability and career goals.

You’ve already started looking elsewhere

Often, by the time someone seriously considers leaving, they’ve already started exploring other options in small ways. Whether it’s a quick scan of job boards or a catch-up with an old colleague, these early steps are worth paying attention to.

They’re not just habits — they can be clear signs that you’re ready to leave your job and are already preparing for what comes next.

18. You’ve been browsing job boards ‘just in case’

If you’ve found yourself regularly checking job listings, even when you’re not actively looking, it usually means something isn’t quite right in your current role.

You might be curious about salaries, wondering what else is out there or comparing your job to roles that seem more appealing. These searches often start casually, but they tend to grow when dissatisfaction builds.

Pay attention to what you’re drawn to. The roles you’re clicking on might reflect the kind of change you’re ready for.

19. You’ve been reconnecting with your network

When people start to feel unsure about their role, they often reach out to past colleagues or industry contacts. Sometimes it’s to ask for advice. Sometimes it’s to get a sense of what’s going on in the market.

If you’ve been making more of an effort to stay in touch or have started having more career-focused conversations, that’s a sign your mind is already moving forward. You don’t need to feel guilty about that — it’s a smart way to stay informed and explore possibilities.

Being open to conversations can help you feel more in control when the time does come to move.

20. Other roles are catching your interest

If other jobs are starting to feel more exciting than your own, that shift in energy is worth noticing. You might see roles that align better with your goals, values or skills. You might even start to imagine yourself doing something else entirely.

When that interest becomes regular, and you start comparing rather than just noticing, it’s usually a sign you’re mentally ready to move on. Staying in a role that no longer motivates you can delay your next step.

It doesn’t mean you should make a rushed decision. But it does mean you’re ready to think seriously about what comes next.

What to do before you make a move

Recognising the signs you're ready to leave your job is important, but so is knowing what to do next. Leaving without a plan can add pressure, especially if you’re not sure what you want.

If you’ve decided it’s time to move on, take a step back before handing in your notice. These steps can help you feel more prepared and in control of your next move.

Get clear on what you really want next

Before you update your CV or apply for anything, take some time to reflect on what you're looking for. Do you want a similar role in a better culture, or a completely different challenge? Is salary the main issue, or is it growth, flexibility or recognition?

Think about what’s missing in your current role, and what you want more of. This will help you set clearer goals and avoid jumping into a role that doesn't actually suit you.

You don’t need to have everything figured out, but knowing your top priorities will give your job search more direction.

Make a plan and line up your next opportunity

Once you know what you're looking for, you can start preparing properly. That might mean reviewing your CV, cleaning up your LinkedIn profile, or setting up alerts for relevant roles.

Read more: 18 tips to optimise your LinkedIn profile

Try not to rush the process. Give yourself time to explore options, speak to people in your network and apply with purpose rather than out of frustration. If possible, secure your next role before leaving your current one. It gives you more stability and choice.

If you're not sure what roles to focus on, a recruiter can help map your skills to the market and show you what’s realistic based on your experience.

Speak to a recruiter (like us) for advice and options

You don’t have to do this on your own. Speaking to a recruiter can give you insight into the market, feedback on your experience and access to roles that aren't advertised publicly.

We work with candidates at all stages — from those who are ready to move immediately, to those who are still working out their next step. If you’re unsure, we can help you weigh up your options and give you honest advice based on what we see every day.

Whether you’re actively applying or just need some clarity, a short conversation can help you move forward with more confidence.

If work no longer feels right and the signs are adding up, it’s worth taking them seriously. You don’t need to have all the answers, but acknowledging what’s changed is the first step towards finding something better.

Ready for something new? Browse our latest jobs or submit your CV and we’ll be in touch to talk about what’s next.