1. "Am I bored?" If so, it's probably obvious to everyone. Do constant checks of how engaged you are, suggests Shanna Peeples, the 2015 National Teacher of the Year. Every day, ask yourself: (1) What went well? (2) What didn't work? (3) What do I want to do next? "Only you know when to move on," Peeples says, "but these questions can help you focus on your level of satisfaction as well as your goals."

2. "Am I feeling resentful?" You might have been an assistant too long if you get pissy about every task on your list, says Anita Bruzzese, author of 45 Things You Do That Drive Your Boss Crazy. (Think: muttering "Make your own damn dinner reservation" out of earshot.) If you recognize the symptoms of burnout — exhaustion, lack of attention to detail — but don't think you're going to get a bump up just yet, "perhaps request a shift to a different setting," says Christine Kovner, PhD, a professor of geriatric nursing at New York University College of Nursing. In the medical field, for example, you can often move to a new unit or ambulatory setting rather than stay at a hospital.

3. "Have I done my time?" Do people in your position tend to move up in the same company, or do they move out to a new job — and how long does that usually take? If you can, tap the person who was recently promoted out of your job or reach out to HR to find out. Don't forget to speak with your boss about your long-term development goals. Make sure you know what she expects of you at six-month intervals so that you're always ready for the next level, says Alexandra Levit, author of They Don't Teach Corporate in College. "If you find out that assistants in your field typically assist for one or two years, start thinking about the next step at nine months."

4. "Have I outgrown my job?" There's a big difference between booking meetings and running them — especially if your end goal is to do the latter. If you've mastered your job description and are dabbling in the responsibilities of the position above you, you're ready to move on or up, says Monica Guzman, COO of Konnect Public Relations. Start documenting your achievements in preparation to pitch your boss on a promotion.

This article was originally published as "Be Your Boss's Favorite" in the May 2016 issue of Cosmopolitan.