Signs to leave a company

I can’t proclaim I know it all.

But after close to 10 years of work experience, I have my own reflections and thoughts about when it is time to pack you bags and leave a company. 

I’ve been blessed in my first job that my bosses likes me, a lot. I was given opportunities (though I felt stress) to do various projects, and I was given limelight. Even when I made mistakes, my bosses were empathetic. I am still young and learning, they said.

I think age might have played a part. Because I was young, I was inexperienced, they were more forgiving. I was also less of a threat to them. 

In my next role, I was half lucky. My bosses also like me and were rather kind to me. However, when there was a change in boss to someone just a few years older, things changed. She put on a fake front, and was difficult to engage. As I felt less respected, I was very open in showing my dislike for her as well. 

In my current role, I was unlucky. I couldn’t click with the boss. She didn’t understand what I was doing, and felt my scopes were elementary. Reviews were short and uneventful. She didn’t know how to appraise, didn’t bother understanding and make stupid assumptions. I tried to explain, but it was evident she wasn’t listening. I knew I had to leave, otherwise my end year bonus would be nil. 

In my first role, everything were new. I never had anyone guiding me properly. It was always facing issues and winging it on my own. Perhaps that was why my first bosses were in awe – that a fresh graduate could handle things on her own without much guidance. I was pissed then, that there was a lack of leadership.  But I realised, I learned the most in my first job. It was here that I had the experience to understand the full spectrum of my work. It was timely for me to move. I wanted to see what’s out there. 

The next role taught me that NO ONE would guide and teach you. You are expected to figure things out on your own. I was thankful that I had past experiences that guided me in my new role. I had experiences to rebut others when things don’t seem to be on the right path. It is here that I realised I have reached a stage where nobody would think I’m young and inexperienced. There is a certain level of expectations and I need to fulfil it. I didn’t learn much here. I was using what I learnt in my first role. I decided to leave when an opportunity came.

My current role is the worst in learning opportunities. Again, at my seniority, I am expected to churn results. People look up to me for answers. Yet, I still feel like I’m not there yet. I needed a senior who could teach me more. I was left to churn results on my own. This role gave me the highest autonomy. But in exchange, also the highest “blame”. 

In my first two roles, I wasn’t senior enough to bother about the company’s direction. I was sheltered and oblivious. Or perhaps, the economic situation wasn’t dire. Those were the heydays.

Today, it’s isn’t. With purported recession coming, layoff news rampant, I am more uptight about the company’s future.

In my current role, I learnt to observe management’s decisions, make guesses of company’s direction based on what I saw or heard. I asked my boss what’s the future plans so I can assess how it impacts my work, she’s not sure. My team asked her separately as well, she couldn’t give an answer except management is still discussing. 

I came to understand that if a boss/company is unable to provide clarity to internal staff of where we are heading to, what’s the next 3-6 months plan, it shows a lack of management’s competence and their inability to engage their internal manpower, who are important stakeholders in executing actions to allow the company to survive or grow. 

I am thankful that I manage to land a better role (higher compensation, new industry) although I started my job hunt in late Aug. I am thankful that lady luck has shined on me, and I pray for continuous luck for life. May 2023 be kind.