Should I Stay or Should I Go? Valid Reasons for Changing Jobs

The New Year is a popular time for many sales professionals to evaluate their career and decide if a new job will bring them the fulfillment they desire. Working as a medical sales recruiter over the last 20 years, I can tell you that one of the criteria hiring managers use to select candidates for interviews is job stability.

Although there are good reasons for looking to make a job change, I don't recommend jumping from company to company or job to job every year or every other year. That doesn’t work in your favor, because employers frown upon frequent job moves.

Employers invest a lot of time and money in training sales representatives and they want to make sure that the sales reps they hire will stick around. It’s not a good reflection on the company when there is a revolving door.

Since sales representatives are the face of the company and they spend a considerable amount of time building relationships, their clients expect consistency.

Before contemplating making a job change, it’s best to take some time and evaluate your situation. One thing you don’t want to do is make an emotional decision. What are some valid reasons to explore other career opportunities?

Lack of growth or learning: If you’ve been in your current role for three or more years and there are no clear paths for advancement, provided advancement is something you want, it may be a good time to explore other opportunities.

Job dissatisfaction: If you consistently feel unfulfilled or dissatisfied with your work, most likely you’re not in the right job or environment.

Toxic work culture: If you’re experiencing constant conflicts, lack of support, or a negative atmosphere it can have a detrimental impact on your productivity and your overall well-being.

No alignment with values and goals: if your job doesn’t align with your personal values, long term goals and career interests, it’s worth considering making a change.

Obstacles or roadblocks that prevent you from reaching your sales goals, or quotas: If you’re constantly facing challenges that are beyond your control and they’re effecting your progress and earning potential, you should consider addressing these issues first with your sales manager. If there is no resolution, then you need to make a decision that’s in your best interest and look for another opportunity.

The truth is that your career is a key part of your life and you should plan your next path carefully. Since you spend most of your waking hours working, careful consideration should be given to the work you do.

Dale Carnegie said, “Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get.”

When the work you do aligns with the things that are most important to you, you will experience more joy, contentment, and job satisfaction.

Recent research conducted by Forbes revealed that “a sense of purpose” is the most important commonality amongst happily employed professionals.

How you think and feel about yourself is mainly determined by how effective you feel you are in your chosen career.