Every once in a while, you’ll consider quitting your job. You might want to work in a different field. You might be underpaid. You might see your friends enjoying high-powered careers in far-flung places. Or you may just want a change.
A new job can present a major life change, and the reasoning behind your change can influence how you approach your new role. So, if you are thinking about it, before you do anything else you should ask yourself:
This isn’t necessarily about money. Based on where you are in your career path, your time at the company, and your overall experience, it may not be advantageous for you to leave at this time. Here are a few tips to identify whether the ‘should I quit my job?’ question is best asked at another time:
You need to consider the practicalities of the situation more than anything. Do you have any savings? Can you afford next month’s rent if you haven’t found a new job? What’s your transport situation? These are all important things to consider when deciding to quit a job that may be keeping you afloat.
Then ask yourself…
Once you’ve worked out if you can feasibly quit your job, next you need to make the decision of whether you should. Often frustrations with work can actually be linked to frustrations in other areas of our lives, as we look for a quick fix or easy escape. It’s important not to confuse problems in our relationships or families with work problems. Stress builds up, and it’s easy to let thoughts snowball into grand plans to leave our jobs, move house or change our lives.
Apply some insight: what is the core problem you’re experiencing with your career? Ask yourself: Am I happy here?
Can you change your situation at work? Is there someone you can speak to? A position you could switch to? If not, can you change your perception of the work you do? Finding value in our work is a key contributor to overall happiness, and can make a huge difference in how we feel about going to work every day.
But if you do decide to leave, it’s important to make the right move for you.
This means having to ask yourself…
Once you’ve settled the question of ‘should I quit my job?’ and decided to quit, getting another, better job should be top of your priorities. Ideally you should find and secure a new position BEFORE quitting your current job. Stable employment shows that you’re dependable, good at your job and therefore a good investment for a company. You don’t want to give an employer any reason to be uncertain about you.
What does a better job mean for you? More money? Closer to home? More aligned with where you see yourself in five years? Ideally, a better job will encompass all these elements to some degree. The important thing is figuring out what’s most important for you. Then go out and find a job that matches that, and that excites you!
Build your CV around why you’re an asset, what knowledge, abilities, and experience you have, and do your research into every company you apply for. This will help you make an informed decision when it comes to deciding which job to take.
Looking for a new job? Check out this blog post on how to improve your CV, learn why you should use a recruitment agency and start applying for jobs!
Still thinking ‘should I quit my job’? Here are the 7 soft skills that will help you get ahead, wherever you work.
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