Most of us refuse to admit when a job is going nowhere, and we may be on the chopping block. It feels like a personal failure. (And, well, maybe it is!) So we tell ourselves everything is fine, cross our fingers, and bury our heads in memos, emails and reports.

With a nod to this blind optimism, we compiled this lucky list of 13 signs that you should search for new work. The first seven are obvious. The other six are subtle, storm clouds on the horizon.

1) "Comrade Trotsky was never here."
You've become persona non grata.

They've stopped inviting you to meetings. Decisions within your scope are made without your input. People avoid eye contact. You enter the coffee room to sudden awkward silence; colleagues nervously filter out. Gossip spreads fast in unhappy workplaces. Though you'll be the last to hear of your decline in popularity, the body language of others will broadcast it clearly.

2) "It's the economy, silly."
The company's not profitable.

Your industry or sector has been especially hard hit. Cutbacks are imminent. Sure, work hard to demonstrate your worth to the company. But unless you're irreplaceable – polish your resumé. In the mean time, now is the time to offer to take on more, to be helpful, to make it a lot harder to let you go.

3) "poor attitude … not a team player … leaves early ..."
You get a terrible performance review.

Your review is an official document. Employers prefer to keep them blandly positive. If yours reads clearly negative, it's fodder for HR to say you had warning.

4) "We have a 'special' assignment for you."
You're being set up to fail.

Are unreasonable expectations put on you without appropriate resources? Watch out. When you're set up to fail, unremarkably, you fail. Likewise, if you're re-assigned "special projects" irrelevant to day-to-day business, you're isolated and easily eliminated.

5) "2 + 2 = 40"
You made a big mistake.

Screw-ups cost companies money and well, business is business. Steve Thompson of Associated Content suggests bringing your mistake to your boss right away (rather than waiting for him to find out). Good advice, yes. Meridith Levinson of CIO.com suggests that you find a way to spin it during your pending job interviews. Much better.

6) "Why don't you go rest at home."
You're sent away.

Being invited not to contribute is always a bad sign. Use the time to begin your search.

7) "Meet the new boss."
Treat a new report like a new job.

Whether your company's been bought out, or your immediate report (that mentor who protected you) has been replaced, tread carefully. When you have a new boss, Meridith Levinson of CIO.com recommends a prepared elevator speech which justifies your position. And get in front of him or her asap – don't wait to be summoned regardless of your seniority.

The Subtler Signs

8) "Radical, dude!"
Lots of young people are being hired.

Young people cost less and can learn new tricks. Even if you believe you're indispensable to your company, a lot of fresh faces is rarely good news.

9) "One of us."
You're being watched.

Mark your own attitude. If you hate your boss or work, it will become evident warns Mark Swartz, Workopolis Advisor and GlobeLink's Career Activist. Little things will give you away, whether it's being late for meetings or simple grumpiness. If you're genuinely unhappy, do everyone a favour and start looking anew.

10) "Anyone agree? Anyone? Anyone?"
Nobody supports you.

Have to push, beg and cajole to get anything done? If management, colleagues and even employees aren't giving you buy-in, it means you're powerless. Soon you'll be gone.

11) "No, thanks."
You can't recruit good staff.

The best people go where they will learn the most. If you're unable to attract top candidates, your reputation is in trouble and so are you.

12) "See me!! CC: Whole team."
There's evidence of all communication from your boss.

HR likes to cover its, umm, tracks. Your boss may have been instructed to supply proof that you had many warnings, chances, etc. When there's a long paper trail, it usually leads down one path.

13) "Wanted: your replacement."
A job eerily like yours appears on Workopolis

Politely confront your boss. Then, maintain your sense of humour. When you see your own job advertised, ignore the petty urge to apply for it and offer your boss as a reference. Instead forward it to someone you hate.

Then begin searching that same resource for your next and better workplace.

Steven Bochenek is a freelance writer. He's been fired in the past.