Have you ever encountered the thought that it's time to change your job?

Almost everyone has pondered this at least once

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As an HR professional, I sometimes hear phrases like, "Well, I'll just see what's out there in the job market," or "I think it's time to move on," from my wonderful colleagues. At the beginning of my career, I was very afraid of such statements because here's an excellent employee, and I wouldn't want to lose them. Maybe it was because I wasn't doing enough to "retain" them. With time, I realized that even the most passionate and devoted employees have these thoughts.

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The main question is, why?

First and foremost, most people tend to compare. By the way, it doesn't necessarily mean they will compare in favor of other companies. They are always interested in what's happening in the job market, what salary range they fall into, and whether they know or possess enough skills. However, this fact does not imply that the person will ultimately change their job. Moreover, even if an employee attends job interviews, it doesn't guarantee they will leave their current company.

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Emotions play a role too.

genuinely believe that there is no such thing as the perfect job, just as there are no perfect people. But for a job to be good, its pros should outweigh the cons. Sometimes, there are slightly more challenging periods when the negatives temporarily outweigh the positives. It is during these moments that thoughts of changing jobs may arise. Typically, these situations lead to three outcomes: changing jobs, adapting, or improving the situation. If you find yourself in such a situation as an employee, I advise you to talk to someone in the company whom you trust and who understands the company dynamics. Perhaps, this conversation will be helpful. Additionally, I recommend analyzing the situation. You can write down on paper what has changed, why it happened, how you can help yourself, how much you are willing to endure, and if there is a potential for change.

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Job dissatisfaction is another reason.

It's a systematic feeling of discontent that usually accumulates gradually and manifests abruptly. Unfortunately, in most cases, it leads to changing jobs. Any action taken to address this dissatisfaction would be a temporary remedy. As a recommendation, I suggest that individuals take a responsible approach to job searching, knowing what they want and what they are not willing to tolerate. If you initially dislike a company for objective reasons, it's likely to get worse in the future.

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General anxiety can also play a role.

Due to wars or other life events, we often find ourselves in fear of the future. Some people, experiencing heightened anxiety, feel groundless (or almost groundless) fear of the unknown future. In such cases, they may consider all possible scenarios, preparing themselves for the worst. On a positive note, such people can be helped, especially if you are an HR professional or a manager. At the initial stages, a regular conversation might help, but sometimes, involving a psychologist might be necessary.