When you’re in the right job, you know it — your coworkers and supervisors are supportive, your workload doesn’t weigh on you, and payday always seems to be right around the corner.

Recognizing that you’re in the wrong position can be even easier — your commute to the office feels like a ride on a conveyor belt, you watch the clock like a third-grader waiting for recess and the sitcom The Office feels like reality TV.

But what if your current position seems just OK? A so-so job may be fine in the short term, but in today’s fast-changing IT environment, hanging on to such a job can stunt your career.

Here are six signs that it might be time to leave your mediocre job behind:

1. You’re treading water, not swimming forward. Your days are jam-packed, and your plate is always full, but as soon as you complete a project, another takes its place. You wouldn’t mind if you felt like you were making a contribution, but your successes don’t seem to have a lasting impact, and you rarely receive recognition for your work. If you feel like your efforts are being put to waste, look into other opportunities before those feelings deteriorate.
2. You’re not learning anymore. The market for IT talent is changing every day, and unless your skills are evolving, too, you run the risk of becoming obsolete. If you feel unchallenged at work, ask your current employer about new responsibilities and training opportunities. If none are forthcoming, it may be time to move on.
3. You find yourself watching your back. Coworkers who take credit for your work or steal your ideas are often a symptom of an unhealthy workplace. Most offices have minor rivalries, but if day-to-day competition seems more fierce than friendly, transition out before it gets worse.
4. The future is fuzzy. If your supervisor doesn’t talk to you about your future with the firm, it might be a sign that there’s little room for you to grow professionally in your current role. Finding out you’re not on the fast track can be painful, but it’s better to know sooner rather than later. Ask about it directly and be prepared to move on if you don’t receive the feedback you were hoping for.
5. Your boss isn’t boss material. You don’t need to revere your supervisor to feel good about your job, but there’s a difference between occasional mismanagement and consistent hypocrisy. Bosses who don’t walk the walk by meeting the standards they set may signal organizational problems that won’t change even if a new manager comes in.
6. The intern fits in better than you. Superficial mismatches may crop up between your personal and professional interests — perhaps you bristle at your inflexible hours or the company’s button-down dress code. But discomfort about more serious matters such as ethics or values is a sign you shouldn’t ignore.

Leaving a steady job can be difficult, especially when there’s nothing chasing you out the door. But by leaving — or at least carefully considering your options — before nagging problems turn into impossible obstacles, you open yourself up to career possibilities that might exceed your expectations.

Source: Robert Half Hong Kong Ltd