Do You Need a New Job – Or a New Career?

People grow frustrated with their jobs for different reasons. What some people really need is a change of employer rather than a change of career.

Ask yourself: Would you be happy doing the same job you're doing now, but for a different employer? Or would you be happy staying with the same employer but doing a different job?

Here are 4 signs that it's high time to look for another employer:

1. You don't fit in with the company culture any more (if you ever did). You feel tolerated but not valued. Every time you interact with a colleague or supervisor you feel like you're in a foreign country where you don't understand the thinking or the language. You just don't enjoy being around the people you work with.

2. You've topped out on salary and other compensation. You'll never get more than you're getting now, no matter how much more you put into your job – and you're not satisfied with that level of compensation.

3. Your company is showing signs of financial or managerial trouble – and your bosses won't talk about the situation or how it can be resolved.

4. You can no longer see a future for yourself in the company. You've reached the top of your career ladder there. You're working below your potential. Your bosses don't seem to have anything for you to do.

Here are 3 signs that it's high time to look for another career:

1. You hate what you spend your days doing. You'd hate it even if your salary was tripled and your three best friends were working alongside you.

2. You've gone as far as you can in this career track – and still aren't satisfied with where you are.

3. Your field is shrinking, or in crisis. Jobs are disappearing. People with qualifications as good as or better than yours can't find work.

Do you think you're ready for a new job with a different employer? Try looking here to get an idea about where to look for work.

Do you think you're ready for a new career? The career choices page is the place to get started on assessing your career options.