• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Now worth $200 million, Sarah Jessica Parker credits being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ for her hunger, ambition, and work ethic

2

The Pentagon said Iran War costs $29 billion, but the real cost is closer to $200 billion—and counting

3

Amazon's record Prime Day masks a darker truth: Americans are spending more and getting less

1

Now worth $200 million, Sarah Jessica Parker credits being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ for her hunger, ambition, and work ethic

2

The Pentagon said Iran War costs $29 billion, but the real cost is closer to $200 billion—and counting

3

Amazon's record Prime Day masks a darker truth: Americans are spending more and getting less
Commentary

3 Signs You’re at the Wrong Job

By
Michael Walker
Michael Walker
and
Bethany Cianciolo
Bethany Cianciolo
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Michael Walker
Michael Walker
and
Bethany Cianciolo
Bethany Cianciolo
Down Arrow Button Icon
June 21, 2017, 1:32 PM ET
Friends - Season 7
FRIENDS -- "The One Where Rosita Dies" Episode 713 -- Pictured (l-r): Lisa Kudrow as Phoebe Buffay, Jason Alexander as Earl -- (Photo: NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

The Entrepreneur Insiders network is an online community where the most thoughtful and influential people in America’s startup scene contribute answers to timely questions about entrepreneurship and careers. Today’s answer to the question, “What are some signs that you should be looking for a new job?” is written by Michael Walker, chief academic officer at Dev Bootcamp.

The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that the average person has nearly 12 different jobs between the ages of 18 and 48. While this doesn’t speak directly to changing careers, it does reflect a growing dynamic in our country. Personally, I’ve had the good fortune to change jobs several times in my career. From becoming a stockbroker right out of college, to holding various marketing jobs after getting my MBA, to leaving an executive marketing role at Mattel (MAT) and co-founding a mobile app startup, to deciding at age 50 that I had a passion for learning to code and embarking on a new career in tech altogether—change is no stranger to me. Looking back on the points in my life when I decided to make the leap to something new, I recognize a few indicators that signaled I was ready for the next big thing.

See also: The Number One Reason You Should Quit Your Job

In my current role as the chief academic officer and campus director of Dev Bootcamp in San Francisco, I work with fellow career changers almost every day who are ready for their next job and want to learn a new skill to get them there. From my personal experience and the stories I hear daily at Dev Bootcamp, I’m confident that these three signs indicate you might be ready for your next job:

You’re not growing your knowledge base
Many people are motivated by learning something new. Doing the same tasks day in and day out can get tiring and affect your job performance. Once you reach the point in your job where you are no longer learning, you start to get the itch for something more. Are there opportunities for you to work on a new project or shadow someone in a different department? If you’re the type of person that needs to be continuously learning and you’re not getting that from your current employer, it may be time to seek out a new opportunity. And, don’t assume barriers are immoveable. It may feel risky to go out and learn a new skill such as coding (even if you’re “not a math person”) before finding your next job, but I hear tons of success stories from people of all backgrounds who have made it happen.

You want to do something you believe is more important
For many people, a job is just a job. However, there are those who strive to marry their personal passions and their career. If you’re uninspired by the mission of your work or feel that you’d rather be spending your time making a difference, it might be time to consider your options.

My decision to break into the tech world was motivated both by my desire to enhance my traditional skillset and to help address the widening diversity gap I was witnessing at tech companies, despite concentrated efforts by major tech powerhouses to close that gap over the last decade. Having worked in several industries in various senior roles, I was inspired by the opportunity for software developer bootcamps to introduce a new source of talent to the tech industry.

 

You’re experiencing “career stagnation”
This may be one of the easier signs to spot. On an individual basis, there are three key drivers to career momentum: knowledge (your expertise), leadership (how you get things done), and results (your impact on priorities). If the key decision makers don’t believe you are excelling in at least two of these areas, then you need to take action to change those perceptions or move on to an organization better suited for your talent. Ask yourself: Is there a new skillset I can acquire that will help me advance at the company? Would my expertise be valued or more visible in another function, department, or company altogether? Is there a way to improve communication to make my contributions to these areas more visible?

Deciding to change careers is never easy, and you may never feel like there’s a perfect time to do so on your own. Unfortunately, if your organization isn’t large enough to offer you the resources or opportunities to grow, seeking a new career elsewhere may be your best option.

About the Authors
By Michael Walker
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
By Bethany Cianciolo
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Commentary

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Commentary

Asia’s defense boom is rewiring the global arms supply chain
Commentaryarms, weapons, and defense
Asia’s defense boom is rewiring the global arms supply chain
By Chris OberoiJune 24, 2026
15 hours ago
steve
Commentary250 Years of Innovation
Steve Case: America was built by entrepreneurs. Here’s how we keep that edge for the next 250 years
By Steve CaseJune 24, 2026
23 hours ago
t
CommentaryWhite House
Trump mistakes the bully pulpit for bullying leadership — history’s villains were never heroes
By Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and Steven TianJune 24, 2026
24 hours ago
mg
CommentaryHealth
The ‘tech neck’ time bomb: why 43 million young Americans could cripple U.S. health care within a generation
By Michael GerlingJune 24, 2026
1 day ago
sb
Commentaryclimate change
The climate policy triangle: why leaders can no longer choose between growth, security and sustainability
By Sebastian BuckupJune 23, 2026
2 days ago
brett
CommentaryManagement
Middle managers aren’t going extinct—they’re evolving into something more powerful
By Brett HurtJune 23, 2026
2 days ago

Most Popular

Now worth $200 million, Sarah Jessica Parker credits being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ for her hunger, ambition, and work ethic
Success
Now worth $200 million, Sarah Jessica Parker credits being ‘one of eight kids that struggled financially’ for her hunger, ambition, and work ethic
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJune 24, 2026
1 day ago
The Pentagon said Iran War costs $29 billion, but the real cost is closer to $200 billion—and counting
Economy
The Pentagon said Iran War costs $29 billion, but the real cost is closer to $200 billion—and counting
By Jacqueline MunisJune 24, 2026
1 day ago
Amazon's record Prime Day masks a darker truth: Americans are spending more and getting less
Retail
Amazon's record Prime Day masks a darker truth: Americans are spending more and getting less
By Nick LichtenbergJune 24, 2026
21 hours ago
Ray Dalio just finished a 10-day trip to China. He says global leaders know America ‘doesn’t have what it takes to fight to maintain its empire’
Asia
Ray Dalio just finished a 10-day trip to China. He says global leaders know America ‘doesn’t have what it takes to fight to maintain its empire’
By Nick LichtenbergJune 24, 2026
23 hours ago
After forcing workers back to the office, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are now letting their staff work remotely—but only for the World Cup
Success
After forcing workers back to the office, Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are now letting their staff work remotely—but only for the World Cup
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJune 23, 2026
2 days ago
Trump’s international student crackdown kicked off a domino effect that could shave nearly $500 billion off the economy
Economy
Trump’s international student crackdown kicked off a domino effect that could shave nearly $500 billion off the economy
By Tristan BoveJune 24, 2026
18 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.