Are You a Job Hugger? The Comfort Zone That's Holding You Back - JDR

Are You a Job Hugger? The Comfort Zone That’s Holding You Back

Date Posted: Mon Oct 2025

Are You a Job Hugger?

We all know the feeling. You’re in a job that’s fine. It pays the bills, the commute is manageable, and you know exactly what’s expected of you. But is it truly fulfilling for you or are you just over-comfortable? In the world of recruitment, we call this person a “job hugger”. It’s someone who’s holding on to their current role a little too tightly, even if it doesn’t meet their career aspirations anymore. But why?

It feels safe. The unknown of a new job or a career change is always a little daunting.
It’s easier. Looking for a new role is hard work sometimes. It takes energy and time - time you might not feel like you have.

Here’s the crucial point: Staying “comfortable” might actually be what’s holding you back from your next great career opportunity. As the market constantly evolves with new roles, new companies, and new ways of working, standing still means possibly getting left behind and stagnating your career. Growth doesn’t come in your comfort zone!

The Market is Moving: Don’t Miss Out

The market is active and dynamic as ever right now. Here at JDR we see incredible opportunities emerging every day. Companies are innovating, expanding and seeking talented individuals to fill exciting new positions. If you’re a job hugger, you’re missing out on this momentum. Waiting for the perfect moment or the perfect job to fall into your lap rarely works. The best opportunities often show up when you simply test the waters and take a look what’s out there. It’s not about making a huge leap to start with, just smaller intentional steps.

4 Small Steps (No Leaps Required)

You don’t have to hand in your notice to stop being a job hugger. You can start small, here are some simple, low-pressure actions you could take:

Update your LinkedIn Profile: I think it’s widely known now that LinkedIn is the place to be to find opportunities, so give your profile a quick refresh. Ensure your latest achievements, skills and current job title are accurate. This low-effort task increases your visibility to recruiters and gets you thinking about your professional narrative.
Catch Up with Someone in Your Network: Networking is key in most industries right now, so reach out to someone in your network for a virtual coffee.
Take a Peek at What’s Out There: Spend 15 minutes browsing job vacancies in your sector or preferred role. Look at the responsibilities and salary bands. This is simply market research. It will help you benchmark your current role and see what skill gaps you could fill to ensure you make a step up in your career!
Dust Off That CV: Don’t stress about it being perfect, but simply opening up your CV and reviewing your achievements, adding and updating as you go. This exercise reminds you of your value and prepares you for the moment you do decide to apply to a new role.

Ready to Test the Waters?

Taking that first step is often the hardest part, leaving that comfort zone can be really daunting. But you don’t have to navigate the job market alone. The JDR team understand the market and connect talented professionals like you with roles that offer that important fulfilment and career progression. If you’re ready to let go of that hug with your current role and want to start exploring where your career could really go, get in touch with our team today. We have recruiters with expertise in a range of sectors, you’re sure to find someone to assist you in your search.

Written By:

Ria McAdam-Lawlor

Director

With 25 years in recruitment and 20 years in strategic leadership, Ria brings a wealth of experience to JDR. She leads with a unique blend of strategic vision and a hands-on approach, driving business growth and client success. Ria is passionate about building long-term partnerships grounded in honesty and transparency. She works closely with clients to understand their culture and deliver effective workforce solutions, placing the right people in roles across Call & Contact Centre, Professional & Office Services, Warehouse, Manufacturing & Production, and Driving & Logistics.

Connect on LinkedIn