• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Pentagon accuses Alibaba, Baidu and BYD, three of China's biggest companies, of supporting the Chinese military

2

'We are rapidly running out of time': Watchdog sounds Social Security alarm after 22% cut confirmed for 2032

3

Costco CEO Ron Vachris rose from forklift driver to the C-suite without a college degree: ‘Don’t chase a title’ is the career advice that got him there

1

Pentagon accuses Alibaba, Baidu and BYD, three of China's biggest companies, of supporting the Chinese military

2

'We are rapidly running out of time': Watchdog sounds Social Security alarm after 22% cut confirmed for 2032

3

Costco CEO Ron Vachris rose from forklift driver to the C-suite without a college degree: ‘Don’t chase a title’ is the career advice that got him there
Commentary

3 Signs You’re at the Wrong Job

By
Rachel Bitte
Rachel Bitte
and
Bethany Cianciolo
Bethany Cianciolo
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Rachel Bitte
Rachel Bitte
and
Bethany Cianciolo
Bethany Cianciolo
Down Arrow Button Icon
June 12, 2017, 1:59 PM ET
1
GLOWErica Parise/Netflix

The Entrepreneur Insiders network is an online community where the most thoughtful and influential people in America’s startup scene contribute answers to timely questions about entrepreneurship and careers. Today’s answer to the question, “What are some signs that you should be looking for a new job?” is written by Rachel Bitte, chief people officer at Jobvite.

Though I generally advocate for sticking it out at a job for at least a year, there isn’t nearly as much stigma associated with job-hopping today as generations past. It’s becoming the norm, according to Jobvite’s recent survey of over 2,000 Americans in the workforce. Nearly half (42% percent) say they job hop at least once every five years, up nearly 10% percent from last year, and a staggering 82% percent are open to pursuing new job opportunities.

The point is that it’s much less likely today for people to build a lifelong career (or even a decade-long career) within a single company. Don’t let the fear of being labeled a “job hopper” stop you from looking elsewhere if your current job is holding your career back. Employers today are searching for more candidates with diverse skills and perspectives, and you have a better chance of earning a higher salary and finding your perfect culture fit through a variety of experiences.

See also: Answering ‘Yes’ to These 3 Questions Means It’s Probably Time for a New Job

However, sometimes the impetus to look for a new job won’t come from within. Here are some signs that it’s time to start looking:

You think you’re on the chopping block
Obvious warning signs of this include a poor performance review, unconstructive criticism of your work from a manager, or no feedback at all. Managers most often assess your performance as “will vs. skill.” If they think you’re unwilling to do the job—or think you’re “unteachable”—they will start to feel that giving you feedback is useless and no longer worth their time.

If you’re ever unsure about what your employer wants or needs from you, it’s best just to seek candid feedback. From there, you can determine whether to start looking for new opportunities or refocus your efforts within your current role.

You’re bored
Sure, some days will be slow at any job, but if your day-to-day workload has dwindled to the point that you’re spending the bulk of your day trying to find something useful to do or just surfing the web, that might be a sign they aren’t planning to keep you around for much longer.

If you notice signs like these, first ask yourself if this job is worth fighting for. If your heart isn’t in it though, it might be best to start searching for another opportunity elsewhere. Oftentimes, you finding a new position means you can resign and leave amicably, which is ultimately a win-win for you and your employer.

I was once needed for a role that was strategy and research-focused, which was tough (and sometimes boring) for a results-oriented person like me. When in this situation, it can be important to self-assess and understand why you’re bored. Is there not enough work for you? Is it not stimulating enough? The position may not be a perfect match long term, but the skills gained could be critical for your career down the road. If that’s the case, you can always find other stimuli, such as a side hustle or passion to engage you as you work toward your goal.

 

You’re lacking support
It’s not just about whether you’ve gotten a raise or title change lately. Pay close attention to whether you’re given regular opportunities for mentorship from senior employees, or if you have the chance to learn new skills or tackle new projects. If not, that’s a red flag—especially if you ask for these things, and leadership isn’t responsive.

I worked for a company where a change in business strategy diminished the importance of my position. The business reason I had been brought on the team no longer existed, and there was no longer a budget for my work. At that stage, it’s important to find out whether there is a path for you to grow and be successful. If a candid conversation doesn’t yield a position indication, it may be time to move on.

About the Authors
By Rachel Bitte
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
By Bethany Cianciolo
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Commentary

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Commentary

tim
CommentaryAirline industry
Merlin CTO: autonomy can rebuild the foundation of aviation — and national security
By Tim BurnsJune 9, 2026
1 day ago
dewar
CommentaryLeadership
I founded McKinsey’s CEO practice: Here’s why operational excellence is a liability right now
By Carolyn DewarJune 9, 2026
1 day ago
250
Commentary250 Years of Innovation
America turns 250. Its greatest innovation was never a product — it was a system that let anyone build one
By Keith KrachJune 7, 2026
3 days ago
retirement
CommentaryRetirement
Retiring at 62 costs the average American $250,000. Here’s the math (and the neuroscience) that explain why
By Jon SabesJune 7, 2026
3 days ago
da
CommentaryIPOs
The short seller’s argument nobody on the coming mega IPO roadshow wants you to make
By Bhaskar ChakravortiJune 7, 2026
3 days ago
bs
CommentaryCalifornia
I’ve sold property on California’s Central Coast for decades. The buyers chasing ranch and winery estates are after more than a lifestyle
By Lindsey HarnJune 6, 2026
4 days ago

Most Popular

Pentagon accuses Alibaba, Baidu and BYD, three of China's biggest companies, of supporting the Chinese military
Asia
Pentagon accuses Alibaba, Baidu and BYD, three of China's biggest companies, of supporting the Chinese military
By Kate O'Keeffe and BloombergJune 8, 2026
2 days ago
'We are rapidly running out of time': Watchdog sounds Social Security alarm after 22% cut confirmed for 2032
Economy
'We are rapidly running out of time': Watchdog sounds Social Security alarm after 22% cut confirmed for 2032
By Nick LichtenbergJune 9, 2026
21 hours ago
Costco CEO Ron Vachris rose from forklift driver to the C-suite without a college degree: ‘Don’t chase a title’ is the career advice that got him there
Success
Costco CEO Ron Vachris rose from forklift driver to the C-suite without a college degree: ‘Don’t chase a title’ is the career advice that got him there
By Preston ForeJune 8, 2026
2 days ago
Current price of oil as of June 9, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of June 9, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJune 9, 2026
1 day ago
Current price of silver as of Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of silver as of Tuesday, June 9, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJune 9, 2026
1 day ago
Trump, who has repeatedly called climate change fake, is now threatening Brazil with tariffs over the deforestation of the Amazon
Environment
Trump, who has repeatedly called climate change fake, is now threatening Brazil with tariffs over the deforestation of the Amazon
By Sasha RogelbergJune 8, 2026
2 days ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.