Is Your Job Leaving You, or are You Leaving Your Job?
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As a career coach, I find that among the most common reasons why a person leaves a job is to find something “better.” My response is typically, “What kind of better?” Salary aside, what are you really looking for?



There are a variety of reasons why people leave their jobs, oftentimes feeling that they are ready for bigger and better challenges. Other times, it is because they feel their position is a dead end with no room for growth. How can you tell which is which? Is the job truly a dead end, or have your stopped evolving?



Employees who are evolving often find themselves challenged. While performing their tasks, they identify additional areas to explore to incorporate something new. This breed of employee actively seeks opportunities to expand their knowledge base and skillset. Even though they may not actively be looking for a promotion, they seek ways to improve and become more efficient at their craft. To them, a job description is merely a guideline of the minimum requirements for their job, and as such, they take the initiative to stretch to contribute more. Employees who are evolving are not stagnant in their outlook, never allowing the job description to limit what they do on a daily basis. They are in tune with the company’s goals; they communicate with management; and contribute wherever possible. They are the ultimate team players.



On the flip side, employees who have allowed their job descriptions to bind them often only focus on the minimum requirements. Their goal is to complete the project at hand, and then move onto the next. After all, that is the job, right? Yes, it is. However, are you in it for the job, or are you in it for a career?



Career building is different than finding a new job. When building a career, each position you take should be considered a building block to the next. Take the opportunity to learn and master what each position has to offer, and use it to get to the next step in your career.



Before leaving your job, take stock of what it really requires. Did you not only meet, but exceed all that was required of you? Did you give it 100%, and push it to where it could take you? Did you stretch beyond management’s expectations? If you answered no to any of these questions, then perhaps it is not the job that is causing your dissatisfaction. Perhaps, the reason you want to leave your job is not because it offers no room for growth, but because you have already left it.