Let’s face it. Everybody has good days and bad days at work. Even if you’re in your “dream” job, there will be times when you wonder if you should be doing something else.

But how do you distinguish between short-lived restlessness and absolute conviction that it’s time to move on?

Here are 10 signs that you may be in a dead-end job and it is time to consider a move.

1. Your boss rarely says hello or good morning to you, never seeks your advice or opinion and doesn’t offer any thanks or appreciation for your work.
2. Your pay is below others in similar positions and won’t be increasing soon.
3. Your time with family and friends is limited because of your heavy workload and there is no end in sight.
4. Your skills are not being fully utilized and you are never offered the opportunity to build new ones.
5. Your performance is never evaluated and, in fact, may be suffering because you’re so unmotivated.
6. Your co-workers don’t associate with you and often exclude you from their activities.
7. Your health is being affected by the stress of your workplace.
8. Your workplace is filled with negative people and you are experiencing (or witnessing) harassment, bullying or abuse.
9. Your values and ethics are challenged constantly.
10. Your job is unlikely to change as more people are hired from outside the company than promoted from within.

A final word

Even if all ten signs apply to you, it doesn’t mean you have to dash out immediately and find a new job.

Remember the adage: “Never run from something … always run toward something.”

Changing jobs can be disruptive to your career, reputation and personal life. You may also lose friendships and taint your resume if you happen to make the wrong career move.

But if you’re having a bad day, or week, or month, you should sit back and ask yourself: is this is a one-time occurrence or is this real evidence of a genuine mismatch that is unlikely to change in the future? An honest answer to that question will guide you next move.