The average worker stays in his or her job for 4.4 years according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Depending on your perspective, that may seem like a long time or not long at all. Either way you look at that figure, most of us stay in our jobs long after we start to feel unhappy or believe we've contributed and learned all that we can.
For a number of reasons that range from loyalty to laziness, we stick around at jobs we don't like, make the best of it, and keep showing up. This is often the case until we just can't take it anymore and quit. Unfortunately, if you stick around until you're completely fed up, you risk being unemployed for a while while you look for something new.
While many of us are busy recommitting again and again to the same company, there are others of us who jump ship the moment things don't appear to be going our way. Switching jobs more frequently than once every two years can become your job with little time in between to dig in, build relationships, and actually develop valuable skills. The drawback of sticking around too long is that you miss opportunities to diversify your experience.
The ideal is hitting your career transitions in that sweet spot -- but where is that? I wish I could tell you there was an 800 number you could call for the right answer. There isn't. You're the only one that can figure that out.
Finding the right answer for you comes down to three things -- knowing yourself, knowing your goals, and your ability to reflect on the pros and cons of any big decision.
Here are some questions to help you think through these three areas. Keep notes in a journal or document to reflect on tomorrow and then again in a week to determine if anything has changed.
On knowing yourself:
  • What aspects of your current job do you enjoy most?
  • Which tasks do you dread? Why?
  • What are you doing when time seems to pass quickly?
  • Who is the first person you'd want to tell about your plan to changes jobs? Why? What do you hope to hear from them? Who do you dread telling about changing jobs? Why? What are you afraid they'll say?
  • How is your commute today? What commute might be required in a future job?
  • How would you rate your work-life balance? What specifically would you change to make it better?
On knowing your goals
  • When you were a kid, what did you always say you wanted to be when you grew up?
  • Is there a position at your current company that you hope to move up to?
  • Where would you like to be in 1, 3, 5 years?
  • What things are you interested in? Could you incorporate those things into your current work more?
  • What kind of client problems do you find most compelling?
  • How important is it to you to have good relationships with your office leaders? What kind of relationship would you ideally have with your boss?
  • How important is it to you to have a good relationship with your team? Do you want to make friends at work?
On knowing your ability learn and grow
  • What types of problems seem to pop up continuously for you at work -- regardless of where you're working?
  • At what job have you learned the most practical business skills?
  • What is one lesson in the last two years that has been the most difficult to learn?
  • How important is it to you to receive external validation and feedback on your work?
  • When you previously left a job, did you have any regrets? What did you wish you'd done differently?
The thoughts that come to mind while reflecting on these questions will help clarify where you are today and what is more important to you. For instance, asking yourself 'what task am i doing when time seems to fly?' is a good way to get clear both the things you like about your current job and the things you might want to look for specifically in a future job.
Then, writing down your answers to these questions will help you make your personal decision to recommit to your current employer -- or start looking for another job. Feeling dissatisfied with your current situation is the ideal time to do some reflect and goal-review so that you can make the best decision for your future. Only you can know the right time to leave. It's important to 'look before you leap.'
This kind of reflection will help you make an informed decision rather than one you might regret in a couple years.