SoFi Blog

By Jane Bianchi

Have you been fantasizing about leaving your job behind and going into an entirely new profession—but also worrying about what a big change would mean for your finances?

You’re not alone. “A lot of times people stick with a job out of fear. I’ll ask, ‘What are you afraid of?’ The person might say, ‘I’m afraid I won’t make as much money,’” says Nancy Von Horn, Senior Career Coach at SoFi. “But once you do some digging, you’ll likely find that it’s possible to make that money back.”

It’s true. Changing careers doesn’t have to mean accepting a lower salary. It just means that you have to do some soul-searching and some homework ahead of time. Ready to dive in? Follow this game plan.

By Jane Bianchi

If you’re groaning because your boss just gave you yet another pointless assignment with an unreasonable deadline, you might think, “My job sucks, but all jobs do. Work is work, so I better just deal with it.”

And sure, every job has its downsides. But how do you know when things are getting so bad that it’s time to quit?

One major red flag is when the work doesn’t matter to you at all. “Fundamentally, we’re wired for meaning. When we are in a role that isn’t aligned with things that we really care about or the things that we’re really good at, we suffer,” says Valerie Olson, Senior Career Coach at SoFi.

Another is realizing that your dissatisfaction at work is making you sad, irritable, or angry, not only at the office—but also at home. “Work bleeds into the rest of your life. If you’re unhappy during the day, it’s going to impact your friendships and your relationships,” says Alexandra Dickinson, Member Strategy Lead at SoFi.

Sound familiar? Check out these six other subtle signs from Olson and Dickinson that it’s time to start job-hunting.

SoFi’s newest series, Guide to Adulting, covers all things money, career, and relationships, and how to win at each. Excelling at all three isn’t easy, but with a little guidance, you’ll be well on your way. Whether you’re starting your first job or ascending to a new role, we’ll act as a mentor in your pocket to help you advance in your career.

We pick up from last month (where we discussed how to transform your networking approach), with tips on how to navigate your first 90 days at a new job, establish rock-solid relationships with co-workers, and catapult yourself to success as the newest team member.