"It's very important that the relationship is OK," he adds. "It can be up and down if [the relationship] is solid at its core. Otherwise, you're just not going to be in a position to get good raises, promotions and challenging and interesting work If you feel like your job is at risk and you may be let go, instead of fearing and avoiding it, be proactive about looking. If you think the risk has really jumped and in the next three months you could lose your job, start looking. Don't wait."
While money may not be the biggest factor when deciding if you need to look for another job, it certainly can't be ignored.
Are you not earning what you think others of equal stature are " either at this company or at competitors? Are you not getting raises or bonuses? If so, it's time to do some homework.
"Many people took a job that paid less than they wanted but they just wanted a paycheck," says Ryan. "If you've stayed with an employer for four or five years, you'll probably find that you're underpaid." She suggests going online and check out various salary surveys, looking specifically at your job level and geographical region.
"You've been advancing your skills, you've been working on brig projects, and then you go online and check out salary surveys," says Ryan. "If you find people are making between $100,000 and $140,000 when you're making $80,000, that can be very motivating to start looking If you're not paid enough, you're not feeling valued enough."