The Truth About Job Hopping
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Working out when it’s time to leave a job isn’t always easy, especially when you’re early in your career and still finding your feet. You might be asking yourself: Is it just a rough patch? Am I being impatient? Or is it actually time for something new?
Amanda Pozzobon has been there. A former AFL SportsReady trainee, Amanda now works in building reform policy at Victoria’s Department of Transport and Planning. Over the years, she’s moved across industries from sport to law to government, each time backing herself and making career decisions based on growth, not just comfort.
Here, Amanda shares the signs that helped her know when it was time to move on and what helped her take the leap.
1. You’re Comfortable Maybe Too Comfortable
For Amanda, one of the first signs it’s time to consider a change is when things start to feel a little too easy.
If I realise I’m no longer being challenged or learning anything new, that’s usually when I start thinking about what’s next.
There’s nothing wrong with being comfortable but if I’m not growing, it’s a red flag for me.
She’s found that staying in a role for too long without development can start to hold you back, even if everything else seems fine on the surface.
2. You Feel Frustrated, But You Can’t Quite Explain Why
Sometimes it’s not about the job changing it’s about you changing.
There were a few times where I’d feel frustrated at work, but couldn’t really put my finger on why. Looking back, it was because I was ready for something more, but I didn’t have the opportunity to stretch myself.
Rather than brushing that feeling aside, Amanda sees it as a sign to pause and reflect.
Even if you’re not ready to quit, that feeling can be a cue to explore other challenges either in your current role or somewhere new.
3. You’re Starting to Think About Your Skills in a New Way
One thing Amanda has done consistently is check in with herself about her skills and where they might take her.
I started in sport, moved into event management, studied law, and now I’m in policy. Each time, I took stock of what I was good at and thought, ‘Where else could I use these skills?’
She’s a big believer in transferable strengths.
Things like communication, stakeholder management, time management those are valuable across so many industries. You don’t always need to tick every box. You just need to show you can adapt.
4. You Get That Gut Feeling and It Doesn’t Go Away
Amanda’s made some of her biggest moves based on gut instinct.
I once got offered a job after a quick chat at a networking event. I wasn’t even looking at the time, but it felt right so I backed myself.
Her rule of thumb? The 80/20 rule:
If I tick 80% of the job requirements and know I can learn the rest, I go for it.
5. You Don’t Need a 10-Year Plan
If you’re feeling pressure to have your whole career mapped out, Amanda says it’s okay not to know exactly where you’re headed.
When I was starting out, I didn’t have a clear plan and honestly, most people don’t. That’s normal.
What helped her was staying curious and talking to people in roles that interested her.
Reach out to people on LinkedIn.
Ask for a coffee chat. People are usually happy to share their experiences, and those conversations can lead to unexpected opportunities.
Final Thought: Don’t Wait Until You’re 100% Ready
If there’s one thing Amanda has learned, it’s that most of us wait too long to make a move because we are worried we are not ready.
The truth is, you probably won’t ever feel completely ready but that doesn’t mean you can’t do it. You grow in the next step, not before it.
Her advice? Trust your instincts. Reflect on your values.
And most of all, be open to change even when it feels uncomfortable. That’s where the real growth happens.
With over 30 years of experience, we provide quality job opportunities and launch the careers of thousands of young Australians. AFL SportsReady offers diverse and thrilling opportunities that could take your career to the next level.
Whether you’re just starting in your career or looking to take it in a new direction, AFL SportsReady has something to offer with a commitment to quality training and support. You can be sure that you’ll have the tools you need to succeed.
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