

Did you apply to (and are accepting) the role because you’re desperate to leave your current job, or is it because the new job is a good career move? 9. Even when things are just fine, taking the next offer that comes along may not be the best idea.Īlong with evaluating the salary and benefits, ask yourself why you applied in the first place and what you have learned during the interview process. If you have a job offer, it’s essential to evaluate the entire offer-especially if you’re trying to leave an unhealthy workplace. What do I like about the new job opportunity? But without a new job offer in place, it may be better for you to ride things out. There are, of course, situations where quitting is the only option. Or, are you willing to take on gig work, a temporary job, or even a seasonal job to make ends meet? Ask yourself if you have enough of a financial cushion to ride out being unemployed for that long (or longer). The average job search lasts three to six months. Can I afford to leave before I get a new job?Įven in the worst situations, you should have a good handle on your financial situation before quitting your job. If you decide that quitting your job is the right move, you should have a plan in place before you resign.įor example, if you want a new job, do you have a job search plan in place? Do you know exactly what you do and don’t want from your next job and company? If you’re going to change careers, do you need to go back to school first or volunteer as a way to test-drive the career or gain experience?Įven if you don’t know the specifics of each step, having a clear idea of what your end goal is will help you determine if you can and should quit your job now or if it’s better to wait until you have better defined your goals. Alternatively, you may discover that while the company is fine, you want to do something different and launch a career change. Instead of quitting your job, transferring to a different position with new challenges and duties at the same company might help you reengage with your work. Other times, it comes from being in the wrong career.ĭo a self-inventory to determine if you like where you work but not what you do. Sometimes dissatisfaction results from being in the right role but at a company that doesn’t match your values or career goals anymore. Am I at the wrong company or in the wrong career? Anonymous reviews can give you some insights too and can help you decide if quitting your job is the right choice. Then, expand your network to connect with people that work at those companies and ask them how much they like or dislike their jobs. One way to answer this question is to research companies and learn about their cultures. But if you quit and end up at a similar company in a similar position, will you end up back where you started? It’s easy to think that a new job will “fix” everything. Would I really be happier someplace else? While the specifics of what you can do and have done will vary, if you’re positive you’ve done all you can and you’re still unhappy, then it might be time to quit. But before quitting your job, ask yourself if you’ve done everything possible to make things better. Have I done everything I can to improve things?Īs an employee, there’s only so much you can do to improve your situation.

If your request isn’t granted or it turns out eliminating the commute doesn’t improve things, then it may be time to quit your job. If there is a factor that you can control, and changing it could make you happier, try applying the change before you decide to quit.įor example, if you like your job but hate the long commute, consider asking your employer for a remote or hybrid work schedule. Then, determine which items are in your control and which are not. Make a list of the things that most bother you-even if that is a list of one. However, if you’ve felt this way for months (or longer!), it’s time to dig a little deeper to figure out what’s making you feel that way and determine if there are steps you can take to change it. A seasonal crunch, a picky client, or a crazy deadline can spur negative feelings, but these circumstances are often temporary. It helps if you can pinpoint what might be driving the negative emotions. If it’s only been a week or even a few weeks, there’s a chance the feeling is temporary and will pass. When you’re in a “not-so-wonderful” period, ask yourself how long you’ve felt this way. But there may also be times when you feel everything isn’t so wonderful. There may be times when everything is perfect, and you couldn’t imagine leaving your job.
