Should I look for a new job? 10 questions to ask yourself first

If you’ve found yourself wondering "should I look for a new job?", you’re not alone.

Thinking about a new job doesn’t always start with a clear plan. Often it starts as a feeling. Something’s off. You’re restless. Or you’re fine most days, but not really excited by where things are heading.

Before you update your CV or start scrolling job boards, it’s worth pausing for a moment. A bit of clarity upfront can save you a lot of time, energy, and frustration later.

Here are 10 questions worth asking yourself before you start looking for a new role. 

1. What’s actually missing from my current role?

It’s easy to say you’re bored or burnt out, but those are usually symptoms rather than the root cause.

Is it a lack of growth? Not enough ownership? Poor feedback? Unclear expectations? Pay? Work-life balance? Naming what’s missing matters because, without that clarity, it’s very easy to move roles and end up in a similar situation.

2. Is this a role problem, a team problem, or a company problem?

These get lumped together far too often.

Sometimes the role itself no longer fits. Sometimes the team dynamics make good work harder than it needs to be. And sometimes the wider company context limits what’s possible, no matter how strong the role looks on paper.

Understanding which one you’re dealing with changes what a "better" next role actually looks like.

3. What kind of work gives me energy, and what consistently drains it?

Think back over the last six to twelve months.

Which parts of your work felt engaging, satisfying, or even enjoyable? Which parts felt heavy, frustrating, or exhausting, even on good days? Patterns matter here more than one-off moments.

This question often reveals more than any job title ever will.

4. What do I want more of in my next role?

Try to be specific rather than aspirational.

More autonomy. More learning. More stability. More impact. Better boundaries. Clearer progression. If everything is just "more", it’s hard to evaluate opportunities when they show up.

A short, honest list makes decision-making much easier later.

5. What am I genuinely good at right now?

Not what you’d like to be good at in the future. Not what your job title implies. What people actually rely on you for today.

This is often where your strongest opportunities come from. Roles that build on what you already do well tend to feel more confident and less draining, especially during periods of change.

6. Where does the market currently value my skills and experience?

This is a practical question, but an important one.

Some skills are interesting. Some are in demand. Some are both. Understanding how the market values what you bring helps you focus your search, set realistic expectations, and avoid spending time on roles that were never a good fit.

7. What kind of environment do I actually thrive in?

Fast-paced or steady. Highly collaborative or more independent. Structured or flexible. Remote, hybrid, or in-person.

You’re not just choosing a role. You’re choosing the environment you’ll spend a big chunk of your week in. Being honest about what suits you can make a huge difference to how happy you are day to day.

8. What trade-offs am I willing to make right now?

Every role comes with trade-offs, even the good ones.

Higher pay might mean more pressure. More learning might mean less stability. Greater autonomy might mean less support. Knowing which trade-offs you’re comfortable with helps you avoid disappointment once the excitement of a new offer fades.

9. Am I ready to be visible to new opportunities?

Looking for a new role doesn’t always mean actively applying everywhere.

For many people, a healthier first step is simply being open to relevant opportunities and seeing what comes up. That means having a clear profile, knowing what you’re open to, and letting the right roles find you rather than forcing a search before you’re ready.

10. What would "better" actually look like six months into a new role?

Try to look beyond the offer stage or the first few weeks.

Six months in, what are you doing day to day? How do you feel about your work? What’s changed compared to now? If you can’t picture that clearly, it might be a sign to slow down and refine what you’re really looking for.

Before you take the next step

Looking for a new role doesn’t have to be rushed, reactive, or stressful.

Asking yourself a few honest questions upfront can help you move with more intention, whether that means staying put for now, making changes where you are, or exploring something new when the timing feels right.

If you do decide you’re open to something new, creating a profile on hackajob is an easy, low-pressure next step. You don’t have to apply for anything or make a big announcement. You simply tell us what you’re open to, and we surface relevant opportunities from employers who are actually a good fit.

Create your free profile today.