IS IT THE JOB…OR IS IT YOU?
We have all had those moments.
You have the ‘Sunday Scaries’ and dread the week ahead at work. Your motivation has disappeared. You scroll through job ads and convince yourself that a new role will solve everything.
But before you hit "Apply Now," ask yourself one important question:
Is it really the job... or could it be you?
It's not always an easy question to answer but it might be the most valuable career conversation you will ever have.
Scenario 1: "I'm bored."
You used to enjoy your work but now every day feels the same.
Before blaming the role, ask yourself:
Have I challenged myself recently?
Have I volunteered for a new project?
Am I learning anything new outside of work?
Sometimes we have simply outgrown our role. Other times, we have stopped pushing ourselves.
Scenario 2: "My manager doesn't recognise me."
Recognition matters but have you made your achievements visible?
If you have quietly delivered great work without communicating your impact, your manager may not fully understand your contribution.
Ask yourself:
Have I shared my wins?
Do I regularly update my manager on progress?
Have I asked for feedback?
Visibility isn't about ego; it's about helping people understand the value you bring.
Scenario 3: "There's no progression."
Many professionals believe promotions should naturally follow years of service.
Unfortunately, that's rarely how careers work.
Have you asked:
"What would I need to demonstrate to be considered for the next level?"
"What skills should I develop over the next six months?"
If you don't ask, people often assume you are happy where you are.
Scenario 4: "I hate going into the office."
Is it the commute?
The people?
The culture?
Have you simply become comfortable working from home?
There's no right or wrong answer but understanding why you dislike the office can help you make better career decisions.
The issue may be flexibility, or it may be that you have disconnected from your team.
Scenario 5: "I want more money."
Salary is one of the biggest reasons people start looking elsewhere.
But before changing jobs, ask yourself:
Have I asked for a pay review?
Have I demonstrated the value that supports a higher salary?
Do I know what someone in my role is worth in today's market?
Sometimes the fastest pay rise comes from changing employers. Sometimes it comes from having the conversation you have been avoiding.
Scenario 6: "Everyone else seems happier."
It's easy to compare yourself to colleagues or people on LinkedIn.
Remember, you are usually seeing the highlight reel not the reality and comparison really is the thief of joy.
Instead of comparing careers, compare yourself to where you were a year ago.
Are you growing?
Learning?
Building new relationships?
That's a far more meaningful measure of progress!
The Job
Of course, sometimes the workplace really is the problem.
If you are experiencing ongoing bullying, a toxic culture, poor leadership or simply the company’s values no longer align with yours; it may genuinely be time to move on.
Not every situation can be fixed, and staying in the wrong environment for too long can hold back your confidence, wellbeing, and career growth.
The Bottom Line
Changing jobs can be exciting but it's not always the answer.
The same habits, mindset, or challenges often follow us into the next role if we haven't taken time to reflect.
Before updating your resume, pause and ask yourself:
Have I done everything I reasonably can to improve my current situation?
What would success look like in my next role?
The answers might surprise you.
If you do decide it's time for a change, do not just wait until the perfect job appears to update your resume. Having a current, well-written resume means you are ready when opportunity knocks.
Download Obtain's "How to Write Your Resume" and take the first step towards your next career move.
