The moment you know when it is time to leave a job

Looking for a new job is a frightening experience. If you're not the adventurous type who is always moving from job to job, you probably don't leave your job unless forced to by lay offs or even being fired. Sometimes, staying in your old job is actually a really bad idea, and doing you more harm than good. If you're not sure whether you should leave your job or not, here are some clear signs that job is not for you.

You're unhappy

You spend 40 of your waking hours, or sometimes even more, at your work. If you're miserable there, that means that a vast amount of your life is dreadful. If you really need money, any job is better than no job, but definitely don't stick around forever. There's no reason to be in a job you hate.

Most of the time if you're unhappy, there's good reason for it. You might not be challenged enough, bored in what you do, or in a toxic work environment. These are all good and valid reasons to not want to work for a certain company anymore, and definitely worth looking around for a better job.

Your work feels meaningless

Most of us have one or two parts of our job that we know aren't very important. The meetings which could have just as easily been sent out as an email, or the jobs so removed from clients, you're pretty sure no one would notice if it never happened. 

Meaningfulness is one of the most important parts of a job, more important even than salary. If your whole job feels meaningless, it can rob you of your sense of purpose, or even part of your identity. If you feel like your job has no purpose, it's time to move on to greener pastures. 

Are you getting fairly compensated?

Money isn't everything, but if you love being a veterinary technician, would you rather make $10 per hour or $40 per hour to enjoy the same career? If you're not getting the compensation you are due, you may be missing out on travel and other opportunities that require better finances, all because of your job.

Is your commute a reasonable length?

Even if you love your job, a two hour commute in traffic can suck all the joy out of going there. While a commute isn't necessarily a deal breaker—you can always move closer if you're not attached to where you live—it is something to consider. 

 There are lots of reasons to leave a job and find something better. You might want to try and move up the career ladder, and moving around is the best way to get a better job. If you're just hanging around because you're worried about what will happen to you financially, chances are you could be in a position that makes you a lot happier, just by applying for a new job.

Don't let your happiness slip away because you're afraid. If you're miserable in your current work, it's time to find a new job.