Quitting your job is a huge decision, especially if you have worked at a company for a long time. Choosing to quit your job requires a lot of courage but also plenty of caution and planning. Unless you are swimming in money, chances are you can’t simply leave your job at a moment’s notice without finding a suitable backup. It takes patience and careful consideration to leave your job without causing too much disruption to your life and the goals you want to achieve. Here are some signs you should quit your job and ways you can do so with efficiency and success.
You Worry About Work During Your Leisure Time
For some people, worrying about work after hours can be a normal part of their job. As an example, many teachers think about the children in their classes because they see their job as a vocation. However, if you find yourself stressed about work at all hours of the day with no satisfaction or feeling of purpose, it might be time for a change of scenery.
You Don’t Feel Fulfilled
Although work is mostly about earning a sufficient living, it is also important to find meaning in what you do. Some jobs provide more satisfaction than others. For example, people who help others, such as medical workers and rescue services, report high levels of fulfillment in their jobs. If you’re interested, you can find an online nursing degree for non nurses to start a new and more rewarding career path.
Your Mental Health is Suffering
If you are finding that work is causing you to feel anxious or depressed to the point where you can no longer cope, consider finding something new. Nobody deserves to feel low all the time because of their job. You might want to consider first speaking with the HR team to see if you can solve any issues without quitting. Whatever you decide to do, you should talk to a trained counselor about how you’re feeling.
You Feel Undervalued
Perhaps at the beginning of your time in your current role, you felt like you had plenty of opportunities to show off your skills and make the most of your abilities. Feeling useful is an important part of enjoying your work. If this feeling has disappeared or never existed to begin with, it may be a good idea to look for a role where your talents are put to better use.
You Don’t Have Opportunities to Progress
Maybe you enjoy your job but have worked hard within the company at the same level for too long. Unless you have your own reasons for preferring to stay in your current role, having no opportunities for promotion might be a good reason to look for advanced positions elsewhere. It all depends on how much you enjoy your work and whether or not you care about an increase in salary. Ask your boss if there are any ways you can climb the ladder within the company. If there aren’t, consider looking for those next steps somewhere else.
You Want a Different Future
Even if you enjoy your current job and don’t particularly want to put in the extra work that would be required for a promotion, you may find yourself starting to think about your future in a different light. Can your current role provide you with the best path that leads to your goals being met? Perhaps a different job can bring you in line with your own notions of an ideal future. Write down what you hope to be doing in five years’ time, including aspects from outside your professional life, such as having a family or moving to a new country. Now, think carefully about whether or not staying in your current job will help you achieve those dreams or set you on a different, less preferred path.
How You Can Prepare to Leave Your Job
If some of the above has sparked something in you, it might be a sign that you should quit your job and find something better. This is not an easy task, however, and shouldn’t be undertaken lightly. Take a look at the following steps to help you leave your job without burning bridges or threatening your future.
1. Ensure You Have Something Lined Up
They say that the best time to look for a new job is when you are already employed. This gives you a financial security net while you perfect your resumé and attend interviews. Be familiar with the resignation process at your place of work and what your notice period will be. This will help you keep your new employer aware of when they can expect you to start.
2. Write a Resignation Letter
When writing a resignation letter, it’s important to show gratitude for the opportunities afforded to you by the company you’re leaving. Even if you dislike the job, a respectful and grateful resignation letter will go a long way to making your exit a smooth transition for everyone involved.
3. Inform Your Boss
When you tell your boss that you plan to quit, do so in person if possible. Don’t feel obliged to go into detail about your decision to leave even if pressed. Offer to help search for and train your replacement to make the transition easier for your employer.
4. Leave with Grace
If you choose to leave your job due to personal disputes or workplace animosity, avoid the temptation to unleash your frustrations even after you’ve quit. Remain professional when talking about your previous job, as this will show future employers that you have integrity and respect for others.
Knowing when to quit your job isn’t straightforward. Give yourself time to truly consider all your options and the potential consequences. If it’s the right decision for you, make sure to quit your job professionally and tactfully so as to maintain a good relationship with your previous employer. This will set you up for a prosperous and successful future.
Also Read: What are the Causes and Signs of Boredom
