When Is It Time to Leave for Career Progression?

This article is part of the Career Progression in Skilled Sectors guide.

Loyalty is a virtue. But staying in a role that is not developing you, not paying you fairly, and not leading anywhere useful is not loyalty — it is inertia. Recognising the difference matters.

Signs it is time to move for progression

• You have been in the same role for more than two to three years with no meaningful change in responsibility, salary or development
• You have had the progression conversation with your manager and nothing has followed
• The role you want to move into does not exist at your current employer
• Your employer is growing smaller or less stable, reducing future opportunities
• People who joined after you have progressed past you without clear reason
• You are bored, underutilised and aware that your skills are not growing

Signs it may be worth staying

• You have been given a clear, credible commitment with a specific timeline
• You are within 12 months of a qualification, promotion or role change that your employer has committed to
• You have a strong relationship with a manager who is genuinely invested in your development
• The market for your role is currently difficult and the risk of moving outweighs the benefit

The honest check

Write down what your career will look like in 18 months if you stay. Be honest about whether that picture is better than today. If the answer is "not much different," the case for staying is weak.

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