That does not automatically mean you should hand in your resignation tomorrow. However, a persistent feeling of doubt can be a good reason to take a closer look at your current situation.

Many professionals reach a point in their careers where they wonder whether they are still in the right place. Sometimes the answer is simple: the job is still a good fit. In other cases, there are signs that expectations have changed or that the current role no longer offers enough room for further growth.

One important sign is the feeling that your professional development has come to a standstill. If your responsibilities have remained the same for a long time, you are rarely challenged, or you are no longer developing new skills, this can gradually affect your motivation.

This is particularly relevant in finance, risk, and compliance, fields that are constantly evolving. New regulations, technology, and changing business models mean that continuous learning remains an important part of a long-term career.

Everyone has a bad day at work from time to time. A temporary dip in motivation is therefore no reason to immediately start looking for another job.

It becomes different when a lack of motivation persists for weeks or months. If you are getting little satisfaction from your work or increasingly find yourself dreading the working day, it is worth examining where that feeling is coming from.

The role itself may be the issue, but it could just as easily be related to your team, the company culture, your responsibilities, or a lack of future prospects.

Sometimes it is not the organisation that has changed, but you. What mattered to you a few years ago may no longer have the same priority today.

Perhaps flexibility, autonomy, or work-life balance has become more important to you. Or perhaps you are ready to take on more responsibility and feel that your current role does not offer enough opportunities to do so.

These kinds of changes are perfectly normal. Your career does not have to remain static simply because a particular choice suited you well in the past

A lack of prospects can also be an important sign. Consider, for example, the opportunities to progress within the organisation, take on additional responsibilities, or move into a different role internally.

If, over time, you realise that these opportunities are not available, it may be worth exploring options outside the organisation as well.

A career change does not always begin with an active job application. Sometimes it starts much more subtly.

You browse vacancies out of curiosity, talk to colleagues or friends about other roles, wonder what your current market value might be, or become curious about which organisations could be interesting to work for.

That does not mean you need to make an immediate change. It may, however, be a sign that you are becoming curious about other opportunities.

Personal circumstances can also change what you expect from your work. Perhaps flexibility has become more important, you would like to work from home more often, or you are looking for a role that better suits your current stage of life.

A new job is not necessarily the only solution, but it may be worthwhile exploring what other options are available.

One of the biggest misconceptions about changing careers is that you first need to make a definite decision to leave your employer before you can start looking for another job. That is not the case.

You can start by analysing your situation objectively. What is working well today? What is missing? What alternatives are available? And what would your ideal next role look like?

Talking to someone who understands the job market can help you answer those questions. You do not need to be actively looking for a new job to explore your options.

There is no perfect moment to change jobs. Deciding too quickly may lead you to choose a role that is not actually a good fit. Waiting too long, on the other hand, may cause your motivation to decline further or mean that you miss certain opportunities.

The best approach is usually to find a balance between reflection and action. Gather information, talk to people in your sector, and first try to gain a clear understanding of what you are actually looking for.

A career change often does not begin with a job application, but with a good conversation.