Key Things to Consider Before Quitting
If you asked any current job seeker about a career change, they’ll tell you: finding a new job can be tough.
That’s why it’s important to weigh your options carefully before handing in your resignation. Ask yourself these three key questions that we encourage you to consider before making the final decision to quit.
1. Am I Leaving to Further My Career?
Sometimes you find that you need to move on to a new position with a different company to progress up the corporate ladder. Sometimes, though, career progression is within arm’s reach at your current workplace – you just may not have asked your employer the right questions or signaled your interest in taking on more responsibility!
Try setting up a meeting time to discuss your desire to progress with your manager and ask them what opportunities exist within the company. If none exist, then by all means, begin your job search by looking at places like KES’s Job Board, or WorkBC’s Job Bank.
However, if career progression opportunities do exist at your current workplace, be sure to consider them and identify some ways you can stand out for a promotion. Ask your manager about professional development programs, mentorship opportunities, training options, and internal job postings that could align with your career goals.
2. Am I Leaving for More Money?
Money is often a key consideration for employees – after all, most people work because they need to pay their bills. However, that doesn’t make your current or future salary the be-all and end-all.
Whether you’ve been offered a higher salary from another business, or you’re not getting paid what you believe you deserve at your current job, consider your options before jumping ship. Discuss your salary with your employer and ask for the opportunity to negotiate your wage. If they can’t budge on your pay, they may be able to offer alternatives such as greater benefits to keep you. Remember to consider the whole package, including your overall job satisfaction. If your employer simply can’t – or won’t – budge on your salary and can’t give you any indication of when or if you can expect a pay rise, it might be time to move on to greener pastures.
3. Am I Leaving to Avoid Conflict?
Leaving a job to avoid conflict or escape a negative workplace is more common than people might think. We know that this may be a tempting option if you don’t like confrontation, but if you like everything else about your job, why let a horrible boss or an unbearable co-worker force you out?
Believe it or not, you may well be able to resolve your workplace conflict, keep your job, and enjoy a (mostly) drama-free workplace from here on in. Consider the type of difficult colleagues or bosses you’re dealing with, and endeavor to work towards a solution. Maybe you can make a compromise? Maybe there’s an alternative answer to a problem you’ve been facing with them? If you want a few more ideas, we have another read for you here: “Conflict Resolution at Work”.
However, if you make the effort, but still find your workplace to be toxic, making a career change would most likely be worth the effort for the sake of your sanity and overall wellbeing.
Other Questions to Consider
1. Am I leaving because I feel underappreciated?
Feeling valued at work is essential for job satisfaction; if you find this is a point of stress for you, consider speaking to your supervisor about your contributions and request feedback on how you can improve and be recognized.
2. Am I leaving because I’m bored?
Job monotony can become draining! Where possible, look for ways to take on new projects or responsibilities within your current role before deciding to leave. Talk with your team and your supervisor about ongoing projects and how you could contribute within the scope of your role to help provide something new and fresh for you to work on.
3. Am I leaving for greater work/life balance?
Work/life balance is crucial for both your mental and physical health. Try exploring flexible working options or remote work possibilities with your current employer; have a conversation about it and see what accommodation or alternatives that they can provide.
4. Am I leaving to pursue my passion?
Following your passion can be fulfilling but can come with its own set of challenges. Consider if you can start pursuing your passion part-time while maintaining your current job until you’re sure it’s sustainable! If you’re still not sure, you may also just be still exploring ideas for your career; if you’re really stuck, try skimming our article “What Do I Even Want for My Career?”
5. Am I leaving for greater job stability?
Job security is important, especially in uncertain economic times. Evaluate the stability of your prospective new job and compare it to your current situation.
Whatever your reasons for wanting to leave your current job to pursue other opportunities, don’t be hasty or make any rash decisions. Asking these questions can help you define your reasons for leaving and assess whether there’s a solution to meet your career, financial, and happiness needs.
Additional resources to help guide you when you’re considering leaving your job.
The Balance Career’s article offers some pros, cons, tips and ideas for what to consider before quitting your job; particularly if you want to quit but your boss wants you to stay!
Kootenay Employment Services has a collection of articles on various career advice topics that might help give you some food for thought before quitting your job, or when looking for a new opportunity.
Indeed’s guide offers 10 different answers and things to consider when asking yourself if you should quit your job.
Business News Daily offers their thoughts around what to think about before deciding to stay, or quit your job. They also have a great list with 14 different tips and ideas around what to do next if you do choose to quit your job.
