TIME TO QUIT YOUR JOB ARCHIVE

Some experts say you shouldn’t leave until you have another opportunity lined up. “You must give yourself permission to make a career change - to let go of hope that things will get better, and to overcome the fear of quitting.” Do you need to have another job before quitting? Consultant Mary Abbajay says you shouldn’t have to stick it out if you have a bad boss or work in a toxic culture: “If you dread going to work every day, if you feel physically or mentally unsafe at work, if you spend more time thinking about your boss than your work, if stress from work permeates the rest of your life, if your self-esteem has plummeted, it’s time to go,” she writes. Of course, a pay increase won’t help if you’re miserable every day.

If you feel you’re being underpaid, or if you’ve gained new skills or experiences that make you especially marketable, inquire about a raise, making a reasoned argument about why a salary increase is merited. Money is another reason many people want to leave. Or if you’re worried that there’s no room for growth with your employer, ask to get involved in a project or initiative that interests you or request a development program that could teach you new skills. The answer may be no, but it doesn’t hurt to ask before you quit. For example, if your company has announced that everyone needs to come back to the office and you’d prefer to continue to work from home, you can ask if an exception can be made.

She encourages you to share your concerns with your manager.

If not, focus on building your career assets - your reputation, your industry knowledge, or your network, for example - to equip yourself to make a move in the near future.īefore giving your notice, coach and consultant Dorie Clark says you might want to consider whether your problem with your current organization can be remedied. Lastly, consider whether you’re actually prepared to take your next career step. In this case, your job might not be a good fit, and you might seek out a position in another part of your company. Perhaps you don’t have opportunities to learn and grow, or you work for a boss who is impeding your career. This could be a sign that your organization is the problem, and you might want to look for a similar job with another employer. Maybe you’ve noticed people you respect are leaving the company, profits are down, or changes are implemented with little notice or rationale. You should start by thinking carefully about what’s going on in your current organization. If the answer to any of these questions is “no,” then it’s a sign you need to look for a new opportunity.

Am I positioned for the future career I want?.

Am I working for the right organization?.

Career coach Priscilla Claman says that you want to ask yourself several questions before you get to a breaking point.

Perhaps you’ve been feeling antsy in your current position for a while, or you’ve figured out that you’d rather be in a different industry or role, or you feel like you’re ready go out on your own and work as a freelancer or start your own business.īut how can you be sure if it’s really time to leave? Of course, it shouldn’t be a rash decision. Are you really ready to quit?Ĭarefully consider what’s motivating you to make a change. The first step is, of course, to make the decision.

TIME TO QUIT YOUR JOB ARCHIVE

Fortunately, this is a topic that HBR has covered quite a bit over the years, so I dug into our archive to surface our best advice. If you’re one of the millions of people who are considering giving notice, you’re probably wondering the best way to do it.

Time to quit your job