3 Tips to Know When to Quit your Job

The important part of knowing is 'when?'

Making the decision to change your life path can be a challenging road ahead. For some, deciding whether you want to spend your life doing the same thing day in and day out can be a grueling process. What if I told you, “Everything is going to turn out for the best. No matter what you decide, there will always be a place for you in this world.” Would that help you in your thoughts?

There comes a day that everyone must choose to move on or stay on the same path. It is not an easy process to continue. Even for those of you who are not strangers to the process that comes with change. It could be that you had a bad situation lead you to this outlet, or maybe you have nothing left to enjoy – the environment, the people, you feel like you are letting your dreams go, not enough time, or pay? Any of these things could leave someone to believe that quitting is the only option.

This could also lead you to feel overwhelmed with the decision of quitting. This is not an easy question to answer. It leaves the question “what am I going to do without a job?” to sit and stir with nothing to answer it with. When you understand the tough process of leaving a job, it can easily make you feel like putting up with your problematic circumstances are a better alternative than to leave.

The unknown is a troublesome road to follow but bear in mind that no matter what our situation is – good or bad – there is never an end to that long road ahead. As humans we have a wonderful gift known as the ability to problem solve. This allows us to initiate a route that leads us to wherever it is that we want to go.

Answering the questions – when is a job bad enough that it is worth quitting? And how do you keep relationships without alienating everyone you have ever worked with?

These are hard questions to bear, but fortunately for you, I have put together a quick guide to help you figure that crucial part out.

1. HOW CAN YOU TELL WHEN IT IS TIME TO QUIT YOUR JOB?'

Need a change of scenery? There comes that point where everyone will debate the need for change. Not only is it preferred, but it is essential. If you are feeling the need for a switch up, it may be too late. For some people, questioning their career path happens much sooner than later. For others, it may take one of their favorite co-workers leaving, or someone else getting that promotion that you have been working for so hard, OR the extra hours that are taking away from your personal time. At times like this, the writings are written in the book, but not so easily read.

Here are a few key points to look for when you consider leaving your current job:

• You are plain miserable where you are – the thought of going in to work completely demotivates you. You contemplate using your PTO or a sick day when you think about going in to work. This is a definite sign that it is time for you to change your career. It is normal to have good and bad days, but when you feel the same way every day, you know it is time to make a change.

• There is no more room for improvement or promotion. This can mean many things. Maybe you are at the highest rank for your company title. The only way to rank yourself up the ladder may mean to change positions. In this case – unless you are comfortable where you are at – this is your sign that it is time to look for something with more potential or opportunity for growth.

• Learning is your specialty, but you feel like there is nothing left to learn. For you to stay competitive and keep your boredom down, you need to continually feel like you are learning new skills or improving yourself. It is a normal habit to get good at your job during a certain point. If you are no longer feeling fulfilled or feel stagnate then it is time to start looking around.

2. MADE UP YOUR MIND? NOW WHAT SHOULD YOU DO BEFORE HANDING IN YOUR TWO WEEKS?

Preparation is one of the most important pieces that you can stand by. If you do not have a prepared plan it could be a lot like jumping out of a plane without a parachute.

You could potentially survive, sure. Quality of life is questionable, but you could still do it. The uncertainty of this world cannot predict the future because anything can happen. As tedious as it is, the chute is right over there on the side waiting for you. It may take a couple extra steps to put it on before you jump, but at least you will have greater odds of having a better quality of life.

“Skydiving is a rather safe affair, provided you have a parachute.” - Nicholas J. Nigro

Here are a few simple things you may want to get in line before you put in your notice to quit your job:

• Have references ready to hand out. Giving a list of good references is going to be one of the first things any new hiring manager will ask for. These references should be from places of previous and current employment. That means getting these together from co-workers, departments heads, managers, etc., before you start moving forward with you resignation letter.

• Find a new job first: doing just this is worthy of having its own section in a full article. As it is certainly no walk through the park. Trying to find a new job when you are unemployed may seem like the longest fall of your life as it gets tougher the longer that your unemployment term lasts. If you can set aside time for finding a job before leaving your current one, do it. You are more set up for a slightly easier road ahead. There are many resources to help you with this, you can use professional media sites like Linkedin, Facebook, Glassdoor, ZipRecruiter, etc. If you have a career industry in mind and do not see a job posted, reach out to their hiring manager. This may turn into a referral and help you get in.

• Plan and stick with it through thick and thin. Putting together a date in your

calendar and making sure to stick with it will help you from putting it off until it is too late. Whether you contemplated having a discussion with your department manager right away or going directly to you hiring manager it is important to plan out and draft a resignation letter. This confirms your departure with the company and limits room for there to be a counteroffer for you to stay.

Related:
 
· 5 Simple Rules to Overcome a Stressful Day
· 6 Habits to Increase your Sleep Quality
· 4 Life Changing Tips to Curb your Cravings 

3. HOW TO QUIT WITHOUT BURNING ALL YOUR BRIDGES

Once you have all the prep-work completed the final steps come to play – you have your new job in line, could be better pay, less hours, change of scenery – and everything seems like it is coming to a perfect place all uphill from here.

At this point it can seem like a huge weight lifted off your shoulders and be tempting to use the moment of leaving your job as your way to already have one foot out the door. Although the little indignities that you have suffered over the course of your employment may feel like an unjust matter, speaking your mind may not be the best way to walk out the door. For all the times you worked long nights with no overtime, or the times you felt too embarrassed to speak up or were made to feel small, tantalizing as it may seem it is just not the way to go.

You feel excited, lifted, less stressed, and are ready to start a new chapter of your life. Like it or not, we never really know where life is going to take us. For all you know, this new career could be the break you have been waiting for, or it could be a huge let down. You never know where life will take us so you do not want to break a bridge worth saving. Anyone’s recommendation could make or break your next business move.

“The only bridges worth burning are the one’s that are never built. Burning bridges makes it difficult to cross. Those who want to follow a broken bridge may not.” – Samantha N. D.

Keeping that in mind, here are a few tips for leaving your job without burning all bridges that you have spent years building:

• Remember, drafting out that resignation letter? This is the part where it comes in handy. You want to re-read the draft before you hand it to your employer and clear out any insults that may be directed back towards the company or individuals. At the very least, you want to keep your recommendation from them to be a neutral and positive understanding.

• Make sure to give your notice period (typical amount is two weeks’). As a professional, it is courteous to give a minimal two week notice period so that management can find someone or plan for the position you reside in. It is expected if you want them to give you a good review in the future. Not only will it show your professionalism to your new employer, but it shows your character for anyone you are leaving behind.

• Tell your co-workers after you tell your boss. This is an important tip considering if anyone leaks this secret it could put a bad taste in your employers’ mouth and may exhibit lack of trust and loyalty. Even if you are leaving in total heartlessness, your co-workers deserve to hear the news from you rather than learning it from their superiors.

• Then, once all is nice, everyone is placated, leave quietly without further ago. You do not need to work an uncertain amount or spend any longer than requested. If you decided to stay longer and it was agreed upon, you want to be careful if you decide to leave sooner. Sit down with your boss and have the conversation so that he or she knows where you are at mentally so that you can leave in a quiet manner. Your employer deserves a certain amount of work from you to adhere to your current role, but do not let them suck you dry and take advantage.

All right! Time to wrap up with the last tip of the day. Above all else, when you are quitting your job, you should keep in mind that appreciation can go a long way – even if you are not. Quitting something is a highly sticky situation for everyone, but ultimately it is an exercise in humility.

Regardless of any relationship you have built during your working career, you want them to think well of you. Saying thanks to anyone at the company might have helped get you where you are today.

Best of luck to you in your journey ahead! Take these words of wisdom:

“Ask yourself if what you are doing today is getting you closer to where you want to be tomorrow.”

I would love to hear if you have recently been through a career change and how the process went for you! Comment on this if you have any tips that worked for you. If you enjoy this post make sure to share, like, subscribe to my newsletter so that you never miss out new materials! Continue spreading the word to your friends, family, and co-workers. I look forward to seeing your beautiful self next time!