In response to a recent “call for topics” for my blog series, I was gratified to receive many requests. I was surprised how many readers want me to share more career advice. Perhaps they just want to hear perspectives on career challenges and opportunities from someone who has been in the profession as long as me? Regardless, I am always happy to share career lessons from my near 50-year journey in the internal audit field.

As I reflect back over my career, I take pride in the fact that I didn’t get stuck in one place too long. I was always anxious to take on new roles, even if that sometimes meant leaving behind a role I really enjoyed. In fact, by my count I have changed jobs 12 times over the 49 years I have been in the profession. Some of the moves were simply for advancement, some were for a change of scenery, and some were simply to escape a job or colleagues who were no longer good for me.

A few years ago, I wrote a blog titled, “Managing an Internal Audit Career: How Do You Know When It’s Time to Go.” I revisited the subject a couple of more times in the years that followed. But, I haven’t really explored the topic in a blog since 2019, and the world has changed a lot since then. So, I believe it is time to consider once more the ageless signs that it may be time to pull up stakes and move on to a new career opportunity.

I’ve always said that leaving a job is one of the most significant career decisions anyone can make, and it’s a choice that should not be taken lightly. After all, our jobs are not just a source of income; they are a significant part of our lives, shaping our identity, skills, and future prospects. I have always coached those I worked with on the importance of personal growth, professional satisfaction, and alignment with organizational values when making career decisions. These principles provide a strong foundation for assessing whether it’s time to move on from a job. Below, are 8 key indicators that suggest it might be time to consider new opportunities and how to navigate this pivotal decision.

1. The Current Job is No Longer Enabling You to Grow Professionally

One of the most obvious signs that it’s time to leave a job is stagnation in your professional development. A fulfilling career is built on continuous learning, skill acquisition, and new challenges. If you find yourself going through the motions without any clear opportunities to grow, it may be a sign that you’ve outgrown your role. When you stop learning and no longer feel challenged, complacency can set in. This is a red flag, especially for internal auditors, whose profession is constantly evolving with changes in regulation, technology, and risk management practices.

For example, we must stay up-to-date on emerging technologies like data analytics, cybersecurity, and AI. If your current organization is not investing in these areas or providing the necessary tools and training, you could find yourself falling behind in the profession. Stagnation in a rapidly evolving field is not just frustrating; it can also limit your future career options.

2. You No Longer Share your Organization’s Values

I frequently emphasize the importance of integrity, ethics, and transparency, especially in the internal audit profession. These values should be reflected not only in your work but in the organization you represent. If you find that your personal values no longer align with those of your employer, it may be time to reevaluate your position.

Perhaps the organization is cutting corners in ways that make you uncomfortable, or the leadership is making decisions that clash with your sense of ethics. As an internal auditor, maintaining a high standard of integrity is essential, and working in an environment that undermines these principles can be both emotionally draining and professionally risky. If you find yourself constantly questioning the ethical direction of your company, it is likely a sign that it’s time to move on.

3. You’re Burned Out or Feel Like Your Mental Health is at Risk

While occasional stress is part of any job, prolonged burnout is a serious indicator that something needs to change. Burnout can manifest as physical exhaustion, emotional detachment, or reduced performance, and it often arises from a lack of work-life balance, overwhelming workloads, or feeling undervalued.

For internal auditors, especially those in fast-paced industries like manufacturing or finance, long hours and constant pressure can lead to burnout. If you find that you’re consistently exhausted, dread going to work, or feel emotionally disconnected from your job, it’s time to assess whether the role is sustainable for your long-term well-being.

Burnout also affects your ability to think critically and make sound judgments—key traits for any internal auditor. If you notice that your work is suffering due to mental fatigue or chronic stress, it might be time to consider stepping away for the sake of your health, performance, and overall happiness.

4. You Don’t Feel Recognized or Appreciated

No one wants to feel invisible, especially when they’re working hard and delivering results. If you consistently feel underappreciated or overlooked for promotions, raises, or other opportunities, it’s natural to become disillusioned. Feeling valued is crucial for job satisfaction and motivation.

In internal auditing, where the work is often behind the scenes and not always glamorous, recognition can sometimes be harder to come by. However, if you’re consistently exceeding expectations but are not receiving credit for your contributions, it may be a sign that your organization and its leadership doesn’t fully value the work you do. Lack of recognition not only affects your morale but can also hinder your career progression. If you feel that your potential is being overlooked, it may be time to explore other environments where your skills and efforts will be properly acknowledged.

5. You Find Yourself in a Toxic Work Environment

A toxic workplace can take many forms: poor communication, lack of trust, micromanagement, or hostile behavior from colleagues and supervisors. Internal auditors, whose role often involves giving tough feedback and dealing with resistance, may find themselves in conflict with others more frequently than those in other departments. However, there’s a difference between occasional workplace tension and a consistently toxic environment.

If you find yourself dreading interactions with coworkers, dealing with frequent office politics, or feeling like you’re walking on eggshells, the work environment may be toxic. No job, no matter how good the salary or benefits, is worth sacrificing your mental and emotional well-being. If you’ve tried to address these issues with leadership to no avail, it might be a sign that it’s time to move on.

While it may be obvious that we should flee from toxic cultures, the sad fact is that many people find it hard to leave. I explored that phenomenon in a previous blog 5 Reasons People Stay in Toxic Cultures. As I observed in that article: It also is important to understand that toxic cultures aren’t black and white. Culture operates on a continuum that ranges from healthy, innovative, and empowering to unhealthy, stagnant, and demoralizing. That means good people doing good work can rehabilitate bad cultures. The right person or people with unwavering moral character can become the force of good in a land of evil. That aspiration itself is often be why people remain.

6. You’ve Accomplished Everything You Set Out to Do

Sometimes, the decision to leave a job comes not from dissatisfaction but from the realization that you’ve accomplished all your major goals. This can be an empowering moment, as it means you’ve achieved success in your current role and are now ready for the next challenge. That was a big motivation for me in stepping down as The IIA’s Global President and CEO in 2021. After 12 years, I felt I felt I had achieved more than I ever thought possible when I took over the struggling professional body in 2009. I felt it was time to move on to new challenges and pass the torch to others.

As an internal auditor, this might mean you’ve helped implement key risk management strategies, established robust internal controls, or modernized audit processes. If you’ve reached a point where you feel that there’s little left for you to contribute and you’re no longer excited by new projects, it may be a sign that it’s time to seek out new challenges elsewhere.

7. Better Opportunities Are Knocking

Sometimes, external opportunities present themselves unexpectedly. While loyalty to an organization is admirable, it’s important not to let it blind you to potentially better opportunities. If you’re being recruited for a role that offers more responsibility, better pay, or a healthier work-life balance, it’s worth considering.

Internal auditors with specialized skills, such as expertise in data analytics or cybersecurity, are in high demand, and staying too long in one position could limit your ability to leverage those skills for career advancement. Be open to exploring new possibilities, especially if they align with your long-term goals.

8. You’re Simply Unhappy

Finally, it’s important to listen to your instincts. If you’re unhappy at work but can’t pinpoint exactly why, it’s worth taking the time to reflect on what’s causing your dissatisfaction. Sometimes, the decision to leave a job is more about how you feel than any specific issue. If your gut is telling you that it’s time for a change, it’s worth considering.

Each of these circumstances may be signaling to you that it is time for a career change. It is not uncommon that more than one is in play, as they are often interconnected. Happiness and fulfillment in a job are essential for long-term career satisfaction. If you’re not happy where you are, there’s no shame in exploring other options.