When do you know that it's time to move on?

Title says it all. I've been at my current shop for ~4 years now and I'm starting to wonder/feel like I've kind of run my course here. Upward mobility is currently limited + beginning to disagree with some of the current investment theses and I don't want to stifle my professional growth. At the same time, I think I'm in a good position long term and am afraid to throw that away too.

Would love to hear from others what you saw/how you felt when it was time to make the jump.

Thanks.

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I've been there. It's kind of like a relationship with your partner. When there's even a thought of should I stay or should I go, there's definitely something wrong going on.

It's up to you to figure out what you want and either A. Fix your current relationship, in this case figure out a plan for your development/growth within your firm with your boss/mentors at your firm or B. Find your ways elsewhere if the other party is unwilling to compromise.

You should plan to communicate with your boss and figure out what the plans are for you and see whether or not it's up to your expectation. If they can't compromise for your growth, look elsewhere. Similar to a relationship with your partner, the worst thing you can do is make your decision based on "I feel like", which is what you said. Sometimes your firm has a different plan for you that you're not aware of. You must communicate in order to know what they're thinking, and then you make the decision.

A very wise mentor once told me, human are excellent problem-solving creatures, but we can't function and will wilt under uncertainties. Even if your firm says, no your growth is done (which they won't, because why would they want to upset you, have you leave and retrain somebody), you can still find a job elsewhere. It's the uncertainty thoughts of "what are they going to do to me" that kills your productivity and stray you off-course with your firm's investment thesis & deteriorating relationships with your colleagues. Just set your bosses/mentor down, have a grown up talk about what your skills are and what you can offer the firm, figure out your plans for growth. Once that happens, you can decide on what to do next. You'll be fine.

 

Absolutely, it's an interesting place to be and thing to feel. It is a growing firm with a very experienced and top heavy executive team, the near term (3-5 year) upward mobility is rather flat due to the lack of anyone between myself and the seniors. However, I see it as a good long term opportunity (5-8 year horizon) for that same reason, as those guys begin to age-out.

 

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