Are You Sleighing or Straying? 5 Signs You’ve Outgrown Your Current Role

Let’s be honest, not every job is meant to be your forever job. Some roles are stepping stones, some are career-shaping moments, and others are… well, like Christmas decorations left up in March, they were great at the time, but now they’re starting to gather dust.

So how do you know when it’s time to shake things up? Are you sleighing it in your current role — thriving, growing, and belting out metaphorical Mariah Carey hits — or are you straying… mentally clocked out, staring longingly at other job ads like a kid peeking at presents under the tree? If you’re not quite sure, here are 5 signs you may have outgrown your current role, and why it’s perfectly okay to admit it (with no judgment, we promise).

1. You’re Bored. Like... Really Bored.

We’re not talking about the occasional “scroll through LinkedIn while your Zoom meeting drones on” boredom. We’re talking every day feels like a repeat of the last, your brain isn’t being challenged, and the most exciting part of your day is lunch.

That spark you had when you started? Gone. And no, it’s not just post-holiday blues, it might be time to look for a role that actually lights you up again.

2. You’ve Stopped Learning

Growth is a two-way street. If you’re constantly giving but not gaining new skills, insights, or opportunities, the relationship may be getting a little… one-sided.

The best roles challenge you just enough to keep you sharp, without turning you into a burnt-out snowflake.

3. The Culture Doesn’t Fit Anymore

Sometimes, it’s not the job. It’s the vibe. Maybe the company has changed. Maybe you’ve changed. Maybe the weekly team lunch has turned into a "meetings-that-could’ve-been-an-email" marathon. Whatever the reason, if you’re constantly finding yourself out of step with the culture, that’s a red flag — and not the kind that goes on top of a present.

4. You Catch Yourself Saying, “This Will Do for Now”

Yikes. If that phrase has made its way into your vocabulary, you’re not sleighing, you’re settling.

A great role should feel aligned with your career goals and your lifestyle, not like something you’re just tolerating until something better comes along. Spoiler: something better is out there.

5. You’re Already Browsing

If you’re spending more time on SEEK than Slack, your subconscious already knows it’s time to go. When you’re window-shopping for new roles more often than you’re engaging with your current one, that’s a sign the writing’s on the (virtual) wall.

What This Means for You

If you’re a candidate reading this and quietly ticking off every sign above, this is your nudge. You’re not imagining it. You’re not being ungrateful. You’ve simply grown. And that’s a good thing. It might be time to explore what’s next. Not in a panic-apply-to-everything kind of way, but in a thoughtful, supported, maybe-it’s-time-I-found-something-that-fits-again kind of way.

We can help with that. We live and breathe IT recruitment and have access to roles that don’t always make it to the job boards. (Because let’s be honest, the best roles rarely do.)

If you’re a hiring manager, it’s worth thinking about whether this blog sounds like someone on your team. People evolve. Roles shift. And the best leaders are the ones who spot when someone’s coasting, not growing. Before they start quietly job-hunting under their desk, maybe it’s time for a chat about what’s next, and if you do need to bring someone new in, we’re here to help you find someone who’s not just qualified, but ready to sleigh.

And This Christmas in July… We’re Giving Back Too

While we’re helping you hire (or be hired) with confidence, we’re also supporting Australians doing it tough this winter.

We’re proud to partner with Dignity, supporting Australians experiencing or at risk of homelessness with essentials, comfort, and care.

Here’s how you can get involved:

🎁 Donate online: Every dollar goes towards Food Relief Hampers packed by our team during our Pack4Dignity volunteer day in early August.

👉 https://donorbox.org/trcgroup

🎄 Drop off a donation at our Wishing Tree Appeal:

We’re collecting winter essentials at our office, Level 15, 1 Castlereagh Street, Sydney.

Items needed:

👉 Adult tracksuits

👉 Kids’ pyjamas

👉 Socks & underwear (adults + kids)

Let’s turn Christmas in July into something truly meaningful. Together, we can spread warmth, kindness, and a whole lot of festive spirit where it’s needed most.

The Recruitment Company – Making people enjoy the recruitment experience again

We are a Specialist Recruitment IT Recruitment Agency in Sydney within Information Technology, Project Services, IT Infrastructure, Software Development, SAP, Data and Analytics, Devops and Cloud.