Feeling restless in your current job? Maybe you wake up dreading the workday or daydream about doing something new. Mid-career professionals often reach a point where things feel stagnant or unfulfilling. In fact, frustrations around compensation, burnout, and feeling underappreciated are driving many people to start job hunting Surveys show as many as 6 in 10 employees want a new job in the coming year, with over a quarter already searching. Clearly, you’re not alone in wondering “Is it time for my next move?”

Why does this matter now? Workers have been rethinking their careers on a large scale. In recent years, record numbers of Americans have quit their jobs in a “Great Resignation” — and that momentum hasn’t vanished. Even now, more than half of U.S. workers plan to seek new opportunities in 2025. That reflects a new mindset: life’s too short to settle for “fine — for now.” Recognizing the signs that you’re ready for a change can empower you to take action toward a more fulfilling, growth-oriented path.

Below are seven undeniable signs that it might be time to chart a new career course. Each sign comes with research-backed insights (not just clichés) to help you reflect honestly on your situation. If you find yourself nodding along to several of these, it may be the nudge you need to start planning your next step.

1. You’ve Stopped Growing in Your Role

One of the clearest signals that you’re ready for a career move is a feeling of stagnation — no more learning, no progress, no challenge. Perhaps you’ve been in the same position for years with no promotion or noticeable skill development. If your responsibilities have plateaued and every day feels like déjà vu, it’s a red flag. Experts note that “feeling stuck in a job without room to grow can leave us feeling stagnant and questioning our purpose,” often leading to apathy or resignation.

Lack of growth isn’t just a personal worry; it’s a top reason people leave jobs. According to a LinkedIn survey, 45% of employees who quit cited a lack of career advancement opportunities as a primary reason for their departure. No wonder — who wants to stay somewhere with zero room to advance? If your job feels like a dead end with no opportunities to learn new skills or move up, it may be telling you to find a role where you can continue to develop. Your professional growth has stalled, and that’s your cue to seek new challenges elsewhere.

2. You’re Experiencing Burnout and Chronic Stress

Not every workday is sunshine and rainbows, but work shouldn’t constantly drain your mental and physical health. If you’re perpetually exhausted, frazzled, or dreading each morning, you might be suffering from burnout. Prolonged stress and unhappiness at work can have serious consequences, including an increased risk of health problems and eventual burnout. Maybe you notice you’re always on edge, your patience is thin, or your family comments that you “never stop ranting about work.” These are telltale signs that your job is taking a toll on your well-being.

Some stress comes with any job, but there’s a difference between normal pressure and a toxic level of strain. Are you losing sleep, getting headaches, or feeling emotionally depleted day after day because of work? Listen to those warning bells. As one expert bluntly noted, “No job is worth your health.” If your work has you constantly anxious or miserable, it’s a strong sign you’re ready to move on. A healthy job should challenge you, not break you. Prioritize your well-being — burnout is often our mind and body’s way of saying “enough.”

3. You’re Bored and Unengaged

On the flip side of burnout is another problem: utter boredom. Do you spend your workdays watching the clock, browsing social media, or finding any excuse to procrastinate because you just can’t get interested in the work? When your tasks no longer excite or even mildly interest you, it’s a flashing sign that your role might be past its expiration date. Sure, not every assignment will thrill you, but if each day feels like an endless slog, that’s different.

Career experts validate that chronic boredom and lack of motivation are legitimate reasons to seek a change. As one psychologist explains, “chronic feelings of boredom and emptiness are absolutely valid reasons for leaving a job.” In other words, feeling perpetually unengaged isn’t something to just “suck up.” It often leads to declining performance and growing resentment. If you’ve lost the spark you once had — and a long vacation or new hobby hasn’t helped rekindle it — consider it a sign that you’d flourish in a role that does interest you. Your next career move could reignite that sense of curiosity and enthusiasm that’s missing right now.

4. You Feel Undervalued and Unappreciated

Do you feel like nothing you do really matters at your company? Perhaps your boss rarely gives positive feedback (or any feedback at all), you’ve been passed over for raises, or you just sense that you’re invisible. Feeling undervalued or unappreciated at work is a huge motivation killer — and a strong sign it may be time to move on. 65% of employees reported they hadn’t received any recognition for their good work in the past year. Imagine how discouraging that is. When hard work earns silence or indifference, it’s natural to start thinking about leaving for a workplace that does recognize your worth.

Being undervalued often goes hand-in-hand with being underpaid. If you’ve discovered (perhaps via salary research or those recruiter calls) that you’re paid well below market and your company isn’t interested in fixing it, take note. In one recent survey, employees’ top reasons for job-hunting included “low pay” and “feeling undervalued.” Money isn’t everything, but feeling respected is. You deserve an environment where your contributions are acknowledged — whether through feedback, growth opportunities, or fair pay. If your current job treats you like you’re replaceable, it might be time to find one where you’re truly valued.

5. Your Work Environment Is Toxic

Sometimes it’s not the work itself that pushes you toward the door, but the negative environment around it. Ask yourself: Is my workplace healthy or toxic? If you have a difficult boss, hostile coworkers, or a culture of fear and blame, those are big red flags. When heading into the office starts to feel like heading into battle, that’s a major red flag. A toxic environment can manifest as constant gossip, bullying or discrimination, lack of trust, or unrealistic demands that push people to their limits. Over time, it can seriously erode your confidence and happiness at work.

Research shows that employees who feel undervalued and unsupported — or encounter behaviors like bullying — experience negative impacts on their well-being and job satisfaction. And sadly, poor leadership is all too common; one survey even found 58% of workers trust a stranger more than their own boss. If that statistic hits home, it’s a sign your workplace dynamics are broken. Toxicity tends to breed burnout (Sign #2) and kill motivation (Sign #3) — a vicious cycle. Life is too short to spend 40+ hours a week in a place that makes you unhappy or unsafe. If your gut feeling every Sunday night is dread, consider that an undeniable sign: you deserve a healthier work atmosphere. No job is worth enduring daily toxicity.

6. Your Values No Longer Align with the Company’s

Have you ever cringed at a decision your company made, or felt a pang of guilt because the work clashes with your personal values? If yes, it might be time to reevaluate your fit. When your employer’s mission, culture, or ethics don’t match your own, you’ll likely feel uncomfortable at best — and possibly compromised at worst. For example, if you deeply value honesty but you’re asked to fudge numbers or mislead clients, that’s a serious sign. It’s time to walk away if your job asks you to compromise your personal values or engage in unethical behavior. Such experiences “lead to an increase in stress and anxiety” that are hard to manage on top of normal work duties.

Even if it’s not outright unethical, a values mismatch can show up in other ways. Maybe you care about making a positive impact, but your company only cares about profit. Or you value family time, but the culture rewards 60-hour workweeks. These misalignments will wear you down over time. You’ll feel much more fulfilled in a role and organization that shares your values. Don’t ignore that inner discomfort or chalk it up to “that’s just how business is.” If you constantly find yourself saying, “I just don’t believe in what we’re doing here,” that’s an undeniable sign your next career move should be to a place that fits who you are.

7. Your Gut Is Telling You to Move On

Sometimes all the logic in the world takes a backseat to intuition. Deep down, you might already know you’re ready to move on. Perhaps you daydream about quitting on particularly bad days, imagining yourself in a different career or workplace. In short, if an inner voice keeps whispering that you’d be better off somewhere else, it’s worth listening.

Beyond all the concrete red flags above, never underestimate the power of your gut feeling. As one article from The Muse wisely put it, no one knows your work environment better than you do. And if you get the sense that you might be happier and more successful somewhere else, heed that inner voice and go exploring. By the time your gut is loudly telling you “it’s time to go,” you’ve probably recognized many of the earlier signs on some level. That inner voice is giving you permission to pursue something better. It doesn’t mean you should make a rash move tomorrow, but it’s a clear indicator that you owe it to yourself to start plotting a change. When your heart and mind consistently drift toward the idea of a new job or career, that’s an undeniable sign your next chapter is calling.

Conclusion: Embracing Your Next Move

Recognizing these signs is not about panic or regret — it’s about empowerment and clarity. If you saw yourself in several of the scenarios above, take it as a prompt for honest self-reflection. Ask yourself: What do I really want from my career, and am I getting that here? Sometimes, simply acknowledging the problem is the first step toward a solution. In some cases, you might attempt to address issues internally (for example, discussing growth paths with your manager or setting better boundaries to improve work-life balance). But if you’ve tried and little changes, it may be time to prepare for a transition.

The good news is that a next career move doesn’t have to be a leap into the unknown. It can be a calculated, optimistic step. Start by getting your ducks in a row: update your résumé, refresh your LinkedIn profile, and reach out to mentors or trusted colleagues for advice. Experts often recommend building a financial cushion as well — having about 3–6 months of living expenses saved up can give you the peace of mind to leave your job without panic. And when you’re ready to explore new opportunities, leverage resources that make the job hunt easier. For instance, a platform like Multapply can help streamline your search and next-step planning by letting you apply to many jobs at once and track your progress. In short, plenty of tools and communities are available to support you through this change.

Finally, remember that making a career move is not a failure — and it’s certainly not an act of disloyalty or ingratitude. It’s an active choice to prioritize your growth, happiness, and long-term goals. As many professionals have discovered in the past few years, changing jobs can be one of the least disruptive ways to spark a major positive change in your life. It might lead to a role that challenges you, values you, and aligns with your purpose — outcomes that make the initial leap well worth it. So if the signs are there, give yourself permission to move forward. Your next chapter could be the most rewarding one yet.