Is It Time to Make a Move? 5 Signs You’re Ready for Your Next Role – Even If You’re Not Actively Looking
You’re not job hunting.
You’re not unhappy.
But something feels… off.
For many senior IT professionals, the signs that it’s time for a change aren’t always loud. They’re quiet. Subtle. Easy to brush aside, until they’re not.
In today’s market, waiting until you’re actively looking often means you’re already behind. The smartest career moves happen when you’re prepared before you need to be.
This article isn’t about quitting tomorrow. It’s about recognizing the signs and getting ahead of them.
1. You’ve Outgrown the Role, but the Role Hasn’t Grown With You
You’ve taken on more, delivered results, and earned trust. But there’s nowhere else to go – no next step, no stretch project, no new challenge.
That’s a sign.
High performers crave growth. If your current role isn’t evolving, it might be time to explore where your impact could be greater.
2. Your Values and the Company’s Are No Longer Aligned
Culture fit isn’t just about happy hours and hoodies. It’s about how decisions get made, how people are treated, and what the company stands for.
If your values are being compromised – or if the company’s priorities are consistently misaligned with yours – staying may come at a cost.
Pay attention to how you feel after leadership meetings, strategic shifts, or performance reviews.
Misalignment often starts small, then compounds.
3. You’re Not Being Seen as a Future Leader
If you’ve expressed interest in advancement but keep getting passed over without clarity, take note.
Are new leaders being hired over you?
Are your ideas dismissed or deprioritized?
Is your impact being minimized?
Sometimes companies grow faster than they can promote. Other times, they’ve already decided who gets to lead next – and it’s not you.
You deserve to be where your potential is recognized.
4. The Market Is Moving – and You Could Be, Too
While many companies are tightening budgets, others are aggressively hiring to gain market share. If your skill set aligns with what’s in demand – cloud modernization, cybersecurity, digital transformation, supply chain tech – you may have more options than you think.
Watch the trends. Who’s investing? Who’s scaling? Who just got funding or made a major acquisition?
The best time to move isn’t always when you’re uncomfortable. It’s when the market is pulling in your direction.
5. You’re Curious Enough to Be Reading This
Let’s be honest, if you weren’t at least wondering if it’s time to make a move, you wouldn’t be here.
Sometimes curiosity is clarity in disguise.
That doesn’t mean you need to leap. But it does mean it’s time to get ready.
How to Prepare Quietly (Without Broadcasting Your Search)
If you’re not quite ready to go public, here’s how to stay prepared behind the scenes:
🔹 Refresh your resume and LinkedIn: Focus on impact, not just titles. Use keywords tied to your current industry and your future interests.
🔹 Re-engage your recruiter network: Let trusted partners know you’re open to hearing about the right opportunities — even if you’re not actively applying.
🔹 Increase your visibility: Like and comment on industry posts. Share insights. Join a roundtable. Staying visible doesn’t mean shouting. It means showing up with relevance.
Final Thought: You Don’t Need to Be Unhappy to Be Ready
Some of the best career moves happen when nothing is on fire – just evolving.
If something’s nudging you to think bigger, listen. Because the best opportunities rarely land in your inbox the moment you need them. They show up when you’re already positioned to say yes.
👋 Want a confidential sounding board? I work with senior tech professionals who are thinking about their next step, even if they’re not sure what it looks like yet. Feel free to reach out.
By Jessica Werlinger | Paradigm Group