As the old year winds down, it is not uncommon to complete a mental career review of the past year. In some cases, after we take a look at the good, the bad and the ugly, a picture emerges in which all is not as good as it could be. If you are becoming concerned about what seems to be a growing list of elements causing you discontentment and unhappiness and feeling as though you are simply going through the motions of your job responsibilities without having any interest in what happens, it may be time to consider making a change. The decision to leave your current job is serious business and should not be taken lightly.

Examine the pros and cons of your current situation. Consider your history with the company, including your achievements and progression through the years, opportunities for professional growth and skill expansion, how networked you are within the organization, your level of personal engagement and visibility, your day to day feelings about your job and your candid assessment of whether or not you are invested in the values and success of your organization.

Examine the company’s position in the market. Do your research to determine whether it is well or poorly positioned for the future. Be certain you know what your organization’s market share is versus competition and assess whether that share is declining or increasing. Check out the competition in terms of new product development, technology, innovation and earnings. Look at possible company vulnerabilities. If you do not already know, find out what your customers or clients think and say about your organization and its products and services to get a handle on its brand image.

Examine the company’s ‘people strategy’. Delve into the management model, review turnover at the top and in the ranks, and look for evidence of whether or not employees are being well managed, valued and recognized for contributions, including being appropriately compensated for their function, industry and geography. Review criteria for hiring, advancement and internal mobility, including the availability of a fair and equitable internal job posting and interviewing process. Ask your colleagues and non-employees if they think your company is a good place to work: very enlightening.

Examine the organization’s culture. Do not ignore the fundamentals: examine the policies on ethics, harassment, and everything else that underpins the philosophy of how a company operates. Look at not only the letter of the law, but also the spirit of how it is implemented. Assess whether the organization actually ‘walks the talk’ and whether the cultural values espoused by the company are a good fit with your own values and cultural mores.

Examine your own behavior in the situation. Ask yourself if you have done all you can to improve your situation, including exhibiting a positive, can-do attitude, volunteering to be on special project teams, actively networking with colleagues, making your manager aware of your desire to take on additional responsibilities, delivering on all your stated goals, enhancing your thought leadership, pro-actively adding to your skill-set and being open to change and growth. If your answer is no, ask yourself why you have not been motivated to make the effort needed to improve your lot in your current situation and if this is something you are willing to address.

Examine your options. Once you have candidly assessed your current situation, if your diagnosis is that your current situation is untenable, it is important to create a realistic plan and an approximate timeline for moving on. Be diligent in your review and planning: do your research, examine your alternatives, ask for expert opinions, and set realistic goals for your job search.

Walking away from a current job is a serious step not to be taken lightly, but sometimes it is the right move… if you have performed a complete examination, understand your motivations, have confidence in your diagnosis and are committed to a reasonable plan going forward. With candid evaluations and sound thinking on your part, the New Year may usher in a gratifying and rewarding new job.