Quitting a job can be the best thing for some people, while it may be the biggest mistake for some.
Now, should you quit your job?
That depends on various factors. Be it your need to pursue something better or just because you are unhappy with your current job.
But no matter the reasons, it is always wise to analyze and assess the situation whenever you ask yourself, "Should I quit my job?".
Read on to get an insight into whether or not you should quit your job.
Here are some FAQs that may help you decide if quitting your job would be wise:
- When to quit your job?
- When is it time to leave a job?
- What is a good reason to leave a job?
- How do you know it's time to quit your job?
- Is it a good idea to quit my job?
- How to quit my job?
Top 13 Reasons Why You Should Quit Your Job
Quitting your job may be a blessing in disguise if executed with proper planning.
So if you are asking yourself, "should I quit my job?" take a pause and do the math before making any rash decisions.
Here are some common reasons to quit a job:
You Got a Better Job Opportunity
One of the most common reasons to quit a job is to find a new job that provides you with better opportunities and benefits. Be it monetary or professional, you should not miss a better opportunity.
Also Read: How to answer why you are looking for a new job during interviews?
Conflict of Interest
Conflict of interest in the workplace often occurs when people fail to share a common interest in something. It may directly or indirectly affect your productivity, depending on the nature of the conflict.
Toxic Work Environment
One of the worst things that disrupt the work environment is toxic work culture. If there is unnecessary competition, constant negativity from peers or upper management, or bullying in some cases, it can stress you out. And even after addressing the situation, if nothing positive comes out of it, they are signs you should quit your job immediately.
Lack of Professional Growth or Opportunities
We all work to make money and grow professionally. So, when there is no scope or room for you to grow and make progress in your job, you may feel like you are stuck in oblivion.
Unless you are given the opportunity to develop your career, move on to the next job that gives you what you deserve.
Feeling Undervalued
The constant feeling of being undervalued by your company may be a sign that you do not belong there. Your productivity and interest may hit rock bottom if they do not acknowledge your contributions when due.
Being Underpaid
Being underpaid for a job can be quite frustrating. And if you feel like the company is paying you below the standard salary, you need to negotiate with the authority. Despite addressing the issue, if you are still underpaid, it's time to seek other jobs that would pay you right for your services.
Poor Work-Life Balance
Poor work-life balance is one major cause that compels one to quit their job. And if you constantly ask yourself 'should I quit my job?' then it is time to leave.
The lack of balance between your work and personal life may cause serious damage to your mental and physical health in the long run. So whenever your job compromises your work-life balance, you may need to step back and take a break.
Also Read: What to do when I hate my job?
You Need to Explore Other Opportunities
It is very natural to want and explore opportunities that allow you to solidify your career choices. If you feel the need to explore other opportunities, make sure to research the options available and strategize your plans before you take them on.
You are Overqualified for the Job
If you are overqualified and somehow land a job, your contributions may not seem enough for your career development. Your experience and skills may exceed what is expected from you, and instead of making progress, you may remain stagnant in your profession.
You need to seek opportunities that require your level of qualification to meet your professional need for growth and development.
Career Change
Quitting your job is okay when you have the need to change the course of your career. If you want to do something else that you feel would better meet your professional expertise and experience, then changing careers is the way to go.
Lack of Motivation
Sometimes the lack of motivation may be temporary, but if it prolongs for too long, you need to assess the situation and make the necessary decision. If your job fails to motivate you, you may have outgrown your role, or the tasks you do on a daily basis are not enough to boost your professional growth.
You may be ready to move on to the next phase of your career by transitioning to a more exciting role.
Relocation
If you are moving to a place where commuting to work may take up too much of your time, you need to consider quitting your job and opting for a convenient location. But before you do so, check if remote working is an option.
Health Issues
Sometimes your health may decline, and you may need to take a break from work. In such a case, you should prioritize your health over your work. Remember that it is okay to keep your health issues confidential when you quit a job.
<Also Read: How to respond when recruiters ask reasons for leaving a job?
When Not To Quit Your Job
Before going from, 'should I quit my job' to 'I am quitting my job' you need to assess the pro and cons of quitting your job.
You need to see if there are any loopholes before quitting a job because sometimes the wise decision is to have patience and make the next move slowly.
Here are some reasons why you should not quit your job:
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If you are a fresher or just started the job: It is a bad idea to leave a new job when you just started. It may hamper your career trajectory and delay your learning process.
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When you lack a proper plan or vision for the next job: Landing a new job may be a lot harder if you have no plan. Quitting your job without a plan may jeopardize your career growth.
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You have no savings: When you ask yourself, 'should I quit my job?' you should also think about paying your bills without a job. Unless you have enough savings to help you get through while looking for a new job, you need to pause the thought of quitting.
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You simply need a break: When you need a break, you can request the company to allow you some time off. Quitting may not be the best option when you simply need to take a break from your job.
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Just because you are angry: Sometimes, a terrible day at work may trigger you and make you make rash decisions in the heat of the moment. And just because you are angry does not mean it is a good reason to leave a job.
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You may be considered a job hopper: Companies tend to reject job hoppers as they come off as someone who lacks stability. You need to consider the fact before hopping on the next job unless it is a must.
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If you do not have a job waiting: Are you thinking, 'should I quit my job without another job' then it is a NO! It is because you never know how long it could take for you to find the next job. Having a new job waiting for you may not always seem realistic, but you need to look for the next one before you quit your job.
What to Do Before Quitting a Job?
Work ethics are always in play whether you love or hate the job. So always make sure you follow the protocol and office policies before you quit your job.
Address the Issue with Management
Before you decide to quit your job, address the issue with the management and see if both parties can find a middle ground. You need to see if there is a better way to go about it, be it salary-related, work-life balance issues, or roles and responsibilities.
Once you feel like there is no reason for you to stay, make your move.
Clear Your Pending Tasks
Ensure that all your tasks are cleared before you leave a job. Remember that you are paid by the company and they spend resources to hire someone. So as long as you are not officially done with the job, you need to complete all the tasks that you have in hand.
Send Your resignation
An official resignation letter is a must before you quit your job. It is a professional way to let the management know of your decision to quit and get official closure from the company.
It can also help you get a positive recommendation when you apply for your next job.
Also Read: How to draft a resignation letter?
Update Your Resume
An updated resume is the main source for communicating your experience and skill to the recruiters during job applications. Hence, when you decide to quit, you must update your resume. Doing so will help you highlight all your major achievements before you take on the next job.
Apply for Jobs
For those looking to start a new job right away, start applying for a new job once you send in your resignation letter and are serving the notice period. This can save you time and help you avoid career gaps in your career trajectory.
Key Takeaways
- A toxic work environment can drain you and affect your productivity so make sure to address the situation with the management before asking yourself, 'should I quit my job?'.
- Always assess the pros and cons before you quit your job to avoid unwanted career gaps.
- Do not stay stagnant in your job, lest you lose sight of the right job opportunities in your professional journey.
- Remember, your mental and physical health is more important than your job, so if you lack motivation despite trying, it can be one of the signs you should quit your job immediately.
- Being underpaid, feeling undervalued, and seeing no opportunity to grow professionally are some reasons to leave a job.
- Update your resume and look out for other job opportunities before quitting your job.
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