We are doing a blog post for StyleCareers.com on signs it is time to start looking for a new job and I’d love to get feedback from this group? Please let me know in the comments!
Honestly, in this line of work - always be looking! Always be networking and promoting yourself, attend trade shows, etc… Red flags would be not getting promoted, or having no annual review process that would allow for advancement or toxic work environment that you dread going to every day. Work should not be torture, it should be that balance of doing what you like, and what you are good at, while also getting paid accordingly and at your level - if one of those things are out of balance, it’s time to start looking for something new.
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Always keep looking. But the search really ramps up when you realize how underpaid you are and that your hours have gone from 40 to 45 to 50+ without being compensated for those extra hours. No raise in three years even though the company has bought two other rival companies and the revenue has tripled. When we ask about raises and promotions in team meetings, the reply is always “we have invested in new companies; we can’t afford that right now, but if you want to leave and make more money, go right ahead. You are lucky to have the jobs you have.” I wish I was kidding. I have been looking for two and half years; have only had a handful of interviews. One interview I was so darn close as I made it to round three, but the senior designer who was half my age actually said she wasn’t sure if she could “hang with me” since I am already settled with a family etc. and she was looking for someone who would be available to work late and to hang out and not leave when the work day was done. I said I had no problems working late as needed for tight deadlines but as to “hanging out” I wasn’t clear on what she meant. I even followed up with HR as I felt that was an ageist thing. I never heard a thing again. I looked on LinkedIn to see who ended up getting the job and it was a 20 something with two years experience (compared to my 25+ years). Unfortunately people in these higher positions are threatened by those of us still in the business (because we have to work to pay our bills) and want “buddies” not colleagues so they will not hire us.
I am dumbfounded by today’s workforce. So in my free time I am creating art so I can find a licensing company and branch out on my own. the past few years have been extremely frustrating.
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I’ve never been a ‘keep looking’ person, but I am now, since the pandemic,
Designers: don’t stay in your design bubble, and only care about your tech packs, sketches, trend, etc., always pay attention to what sales, production, etc., is also doing. I have seen sales people just missing in action, while a designer is working hard, and little do they know, the license has been lost, and you the designer is about to be let go.
Pay attention to companies that are always hiring. I always thought my last employer was an agency, because they are always hiring, and it’s not because of new business. In a year, I saw 85% of the staff change.
Always have a nest egg, for the fashion industry. this industry is too uncontrolled, and anything can happen. you could be out of work for 3 months to a year. I have been thru, the ‘08 financial collapse (I was freelancing at the time, and the work dried up, and brands went out of business), pandemic (some companies never had remote work and employees died and they just kept going), and now tariffs (most people in the industry I know, have been laid off, are freelancing, or are just holding on to the job they have). you cannot live check to check in the apparel industry.
HR is not on your side. Your boss is there for the company, not you.
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I have several signs I use for when to start hardcore looking (I’m always open to new opportunities). First, if I’m bored/feel like I’ve learned all I can from the role and need to move to the next step up (because fashion rarely promotes from within). Second, if I start having anxiety attacks or come home crying more than once. Finally, if I can see the company going downhill and feel like layoffs are on the way. I won’t go down with the ship.
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Second to this-! Personal goal/career driven doesn’t work out (company acknowledged your value, but wont give you what you want either money or opportunity/title-
Super toxic that won’t be changed (which won’t- barely seen) and being completely taken advantage only-
Sinking ship situation, which looks obvious and many coworkers jumping off the ship….
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You should always have an updated resume on file as you never know when you might get a call from a viable recruiter or company – it’s always good to explore options even if you have no desire to move because you never know if your dream situation will come calling! However, it’s prudent to actively start looking if: 1) the company isn’t doing well, i.e. isn’t paying their bills on time to vendors and/or it takes weeks and several follow-up e-mails to get compensated for viable work expenses; 2) you feel like something is “off” between executive staff and they have conflicting priorities that negatively affect their respective staffs’ day-to-day work, creating levels of unhelpful and unneeded disorganization and duplicative work; 3) the environment is toxic (an overused term, maybe, but when you are in it – you know, i.e. management isn’t good at communicating, priorities change daily and you are the last to know, people yell or scream at work, schedules are unnecessarily rigid and you are terrified to ask for a few hours off for an urgent doctor’s appointment, company gossip steers corporate or departmental decisions, there is any level of blatant illegal harassment, etc.). Sadly, most companies – even those that claim to be “family” – have zero loyalty to employees or candidates these days. You are very fortunate if you have a supportive mentor/leader/boss. So take care of yourself and your own finances. Because companies will think nothing of letting you (and many others) go if they need to hit an earnings number, or if a nepotistic family member or friend wants your job.
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