Is It Time To Make a Career Change?

Written By Courtney Hartman

Most people wait too long to ask this question. It is incredibly common to push through a situation that feels “off” until burnout hits or a layoff forces a decision you didn’t feel ready to make.

In this episode of The Glass Sessions, we walk through how to spot the early signals that it might be time for a change - and what to do about it before you find yourself in a reactive position. At the center of our conversation is a repeatable career audit: a practical tool you can use regularly to assess your current role and make intentional decisions about what comes next.

If your work feels off but you can’t quite explain why, or you know something needs to change but don’t know where to start, this episode will give you a clear, practical way forward.

Actionable Tips & Takeaways

Notice when work starts to feel "off"

We often ignore the subtle indicators that a job is no longer serving us. Pay attention to those early signals. Acknowledging that something isn't working gives you the space to act from a place of clarity rather than waiting until you are completely depleted.

Conduct a regular career audit

Don't wait for an annual review or a crisis to evaluate your career. Make assessing your role a recurring habit. We recommend evaluating your current position across these five key areas:

  • Fulfillment and purpose: Are you doing work that matters to you and aligns with your values?

  • Growth and learning: Are you actively developing new skills, or have you hit a plateau?

  • Compensation and benefits: Is your compensation fair and reflective of your contributions and the broader market?

  • Manager and team relationships: Do you have trust, psychological safety, and support from the people you work with every day?

  • Work-life alignment: Does your current schedule allow you to live a healthy, fulfilling life outside of the office?

Interpret your scores and identify dealbreakers

Not every job will score perfectly across all five categories, and that is completely normal. The goal of the audit is to get honest about your non-negotiables. What are the areas where you are simply no longer willing to compromise? Getting clear on your dealbreakers helps cut through the noise and centers your focus on what actually matters for your next step.

Negotiate and create your own options

Realizing a change is necessary doesn't automatically mean you have to quit tomorrow. Before you decide to leave, explore whether you can create a better situation right where you are. Use your audit results to have a direct, productive conversation with your manager. Can you advocate for a shift in responsibilities, more flexibility, or a path to better compensation? Give yourself the runway to negotiate and build options before making a definitive exit.

Tips For Managers

If you manage a team, it is important to remember that your employees are (and should be) continuously evaluating their career paths. Here is how you can support them:

  • Proactively check in on the five key areas: Don't wait for a team member to become disengaged. Regularly ask them about their fulfillment, growth, and work-life alignment during your 1:1s.

  • Be open to negotiation: If an employee shares that their role feels misaligned, get curious instead of defensive. Explore how you might adjust their responsibilities to better fit their current goals.

  • Support their evolution: Sometimes a team member will outgrow their role, and the best next step for them is outside of your department. Celebrate their growth and help them navigate the transition. Being a supportive leader during an exit builds a lasting professional relationship and strengthens your network.

Links & Resources

Courtney Hartman
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