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Istanbul
We work tirelessly, day and night, to graduate. Once we do, we chase after our first job, dreaming of achieving financial independence. Eventually, a miracle happens, and we land that first job. The honeymoon phase — or even honeymoon years — pass, and inevitably, the question arises: When should I change jobs?
— While the answer to this question is deeply personal, I do have a structured response that might help!
Over the past 15 years, I’ve worked at six different companies. Excluding the first one (because let’s face it, your first job is often about just “getting your foot in the door,” and no one blames you for that!), I’ve approached every subsequent job search with a clear set of criteria in mind. During my job search, I always create an Excel sheet. On the first tab, I list my ideal job criteria. Based on my experience, I’ve learned that you should limit yourself to five criteria — no more, no less! Five is the magic number. 😊 You should also rank these criteria by importance.
You’ll need to figure out your own criteria, but to give you an idea, I’ll share some that I find particularly important.
1. The Team
Your colleagues have a significant impact on how long you’ll stay at a company. Working in a team without a sense of culture — or worse, one filled with backstabbing — makes it almost impossible to stick around for long. In such situations, your manager’s attitude is crucial. If your manager doesn’t prioritise addressing team dynamics, you likely won’t last long in that team — or at that company. If you find yourself in this position, your first course of action should be to push for a team change.
2. The Manager
Although closely tied to the first point, I believe your manager is even more critical! No matter where you are in your career, if you can’t establish healthy communication with your manager, it’s time to leave. After all, as the saying goes, people don’t leave companies; they leave managers. While expectations from a manager could fill an entire article, at the very least, your manager should be able to create a roadmap that suits you, believe in your potential, and most importantly, earn your trust. If any of these elements are missing, there’s likely a significant problem.
3. Salary
I assume most of us aren’t working just as a hobby — at least, I’m not! Your effort should be compensated appropriately. You can gauge this by researching the market. If you realise you’re not being fairly compensated, it will inevitably lead to a significant lack of motivation. In such cases, you need to discuss this with your manager as soon as possible. If no action is taken, the outcome is inevitable.
4. Work Style
The pandemic opened many eyes! I’ve been working remotely for three years now, and I’ve realised what a tremendous freedom it offers. Of course, this isn’t for everyone, but if you feel the same way, this should be high on your list (it’s at the top of mine).
5. Benefits
These days, companies are in fierce competition regarding benefits. At one company I worked for, there was a 90-page document detailing all the benefits. While I didn’t use most of them, certain benefits are non-negotiable for me. For instance, private health insurance is a must-have — I hope we never need to use it, but it’s an essential criterion in today’s world. Some companies even offer gym memberships — not bad, right?
6. Industry
For many, this is an important factor. Once you’ve spent some time in a specific industry, its significance grows. For instance, after years in fintech, transitioning to a gaming company would be quite a radical shift.
7. Career Path
This is an essential criterion for everyone. Your current company should offer a clear career path. You should be promoted when you’ve earned it and have the opportunity to make career changes when necessary. A company without a defined career path is unlikely to be a good fit for most people.
8. Technology
If you work in a field like software development, it’s your right to work with up-to-date technologies. No one wants to be stuck using tools from a decade ago. While you might occasionally find yourself in such projects, if it becomes a long-term situation, it could harm your career in the long run. This is a vital consideration for software professionals.
Once you’ve identified your top criteria, you’ve completed a significant portion of the process. The next step is to evaluate how many of these criteria your current job meets. If it ticks all five boxes, stay where you are! Finding such a job in today’s market is no easy feat. If it’s four or three, it may not be time to leave just yet. However, if the missing criteria are extremely important to you — something at the top of your list — you should first explore how to achieve them within your current company. Why not aim for better? 😊 If you can’t get what you need from your current company, then it’s time to start exploring the market.
Now, let’s consider a less favourable scenario. What if your job only meets two or fewer of your criteria? In this case, it’s time to take swift action. Start by assessing your current company. If things don’t seem likely to improve, don’t waste time. Update your CV and begin your job search, guided by the five criteria you’ve identified.
Deciding when to change jobs is never a simple choice, but it’s one of the most important decisions in shaping your career. By identifying your top five criteria and evaluating your current role against them, you take a structured, thoughtful approach to a complex question. Remember, it’s not just about finding a better job — it’s about aligning your work with your values, goals, and long-term aspirations. Whether you decide to stay or move on, clarity in your priorities will always lead you in the right direction. 😊
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