When do you know it’s time to move on?
Readers question:
How do I know when it is time to move on from a role? I love the business but the pressure has been relentless for two years and I am not sure how much longer I can sustain it.
Harriet’s answer:
I’ve been here before, and it’s hard when you love the business. Walking away can feel like you’re giving up on something you care about, even when you know the role is taking too much out of you. Before you decide to leave, look honestly at what the next six to 12 months are likely to bring.
Ask whether the pressure can actually change
Think about what’s driving the pressure and whether there’s a realistic scenario where it eases. Could expanding the team make a meaningful difference? Is there a particular milestone ahead that will change things? Or is the current pace simply how the business operates?
If you can see a credible route to making the role sustainable, it may be worth staying. But if it’s already been relentless for two years and there’s no real prospect of change, it might be time to prioritise yourself.
Don’t confuse staying with growing
You might still have room to grow in the role, but that doesn’t necessarily mean staying is the best way to develop. A question I’ve asked myself in the past is: ‘Am I still learning, and is it worth the pressure I’m under?’
I’ve learnt that moving roles doesn’t mean putting your development on hold, even if the next job comes with less pressure. A new environment and a different way of working will teach you new things. That’s particularly valuable in finance, where having a range of experience can help you grow quickly.
Leave while you still have the energy to leave well
Leaving a business you’ve been part of for a long time can be daunting. There’s the conversation with your manager, telling your team, and going through the change of leaving something you’ve invested a lot in.
That’s another reason not to wait until you’ve reached your limit. With the right communication and forward planning, you can work with your manager and team to make the exit and handover as smooth as possible. I’ve found that it’s much harder when you’re burnt out and just want to get away.
Trust what you already know
There isn’t always a definitive moment when you know it’s time to go. Sometimes you’re waiting for something to make the decision obvious, when the fact that you’ve been asking yourself the question for a long time is telling you something in itself.
You want a job that challenges you and gives you room to grow, but not at the expense of your personal life or mental health. Careers are long, and I don’t think change is a bad thing. If you’ve looked seriously at whether the pressure can ease and still can’t see a sustainable way forward, it may be time to move on.
Have a question you’d like Harriet to answer? Submit your questions here.
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