Recognising the signs you’re ready for a career change

Have you been wondering if it’s time to move on from your job, but you’re not sure if it’s just a rough patch or something more? Maybe you’ve noticed that the things which once motivated you now feel flat. Perhaps you catch yourself daydreaming about doing something different, or you feel drained at the thought of another week ahead.

These feelings can be confusing. Part of you wonders if you’re imagining things or just being ungrateful. Another part of you can’t ignore the quiet voice saying, “This isn’t working anymore.”

The truth is, almost everyone will reach a point in their career where they question if they’re in the right place. Recognising the signs that you’re ready for a change is not about being impulsive. It’s about giving yourself permission to notice when your career no longer feels aligned, and opening up space to explore what could come next.

Why recognising the signs matters

It can be easy to brush off feelings of dissatisfaction, telling yourself it’s just “part of the job.” But if those feelings linger, they can slowly erode your confidence, energy, and even your wellbeing.

Recognising the signs early gives you a chance to pause and reflect before you reach burnout. It also helps you make career decisions from a place of awareness, rather than waiting until you feel forced into change.

When your behaviour no longer feels like you

Noticing your own behaviour changing may be a sign that you’re ready for a career change. Perhaps you are reacting in ways that surprise even you — being shorter with colleagues, disengaging in meetings, or finding yourself criticising decisions more harshly than you normally would.

These shifts often come from stress, frustration, or a sense of being stuck, but they can also signal that you have outgrown your role. If you are behaving in ways that do not reflect the professional you want to be, it is worth asking why.

When people are unhappy or unfulfilled at work, their values and behaviour can drift apart. This is not only damaging to relationships at work, it can also leave you feeling disconnected from yourself.

If you notice you are:

• Less patient or respectful than you used to be

• Avoiding collaboration or shutting others down

• Speaking negatively more often than constructively

• Treating colleagues in ways you would not accept yourself

…then it may be time to reflect. Poor behaviour does not mean you are a bad person. It often means you are in the wrong environment, and moving on may give you the chance to reset and return to your best self. At the same time, it is important to be accountable for how you show up. The environment may be contributing, but it does not excuse behaviour that impacts others. Recognising this and taking responsibility is part of deciding when it is time for change.

Signs you might be ready for a career change

Here are some common signals that it could be time to consider your next step:

1. You’ve lost your spark

What once energised you now feels draining. The excitement you used to feel at work has been replaced by going through the motions.

2. Your values no longer align

Maybe the culture of your workplace doesn’t feel right anymore, or the work itself clashes with what matters most to you. When your values and your job are out of sync, it can feel unsettling.

3. You feel like you’re standing still

You can’t see any real opportunities for growth or development. Instead of feeling stretched and challenged, you feel stuck.

4. You’re daydreaming of something else

You find yourself spending more time thinking about other roles or industries than engaging with your current work. That curiosity is often a sign you’re craving change.

5. Your wellbeing is suffering

If stress, frustration, or lack of fulfilment at work is spilling over into your personal life, it’s a strong signal that something needs to shift. Particularly if your overall health is being impacted.

6. Your behaviour has shifted

You notice yourself reacting in ways that feel out of character. If how you are showing up no longer reflects the professional you want to be, it may be a sign it is time for change.

What to do if these signs resonate

Noticing these signs doesn’t mean you need to hand in your resignation tomorrow. It means you’re listening to yourself — and that’s a positive first step.

Start by giving yourself time to reflect on what you want moving forward. Talk it through with someone you trust. Sometimes simply putting words to your feelings can give you more clarity. And most importantly, be kind to yourself. Feeling like your career no longer fits isn’t a failure. It’s an invitation to explore what might be a better fit for the person you are now.

Moving forward

Feeling lost in your career doesn’t happen overnight. It usually builds over time until you can no longer ignore it. Recognising the signs is about paying attention to those feelings and giving yourself permission to take them seriously.

In my next blog, I’ll share how self-reflection can help you build clarity about what you want next. Recognising the signs is the first step, but the real change begins when you start exploring what could be possible for you.