It is nerve-wracking to decide to quit your job. Change can be scary, especially if it is your livelihood.
If you’re like most people, it’s the decision that you will ponder for months before making the leap. It’s a major decision to quit your job. Therefore, it is easy to lose yourself in your thoughts and go around in circles, weighing the pros and con. Take a deep breath and slow down. It’s time to see things from a different perspective. Let’s take a look at everything you need to consider when you decide whether you want to quit your job.
What are you looking for?
Let’s begin with the most important. What is the most important reason you would like to leave your current job?
Your feelings matter no matter what. Don’t let your emotions get in the way of your goals. You need to do some soul-searching about what isn’t working in your current situation. It can help you find solutions to the problems you are facing.
You might find a way to be more passionate about the job that you have. You’ll also get clarity about what you want in your next job if you give notice.
Let’s look at some important factors that affect job satisfaction. We’ll then discuss how to incorporate them into your decision whether you want to stay or quit.
Compensation woes
This is the big issue when we discuss job changes. No matter how much you love your job, you are still working to make a living. If you don’t get a fair salary, you might be looking for other opportunities. No matter what your reason for leaving, you are likely to seek a raise in your next job.
Two possible issues exist here. You could be earning less than the industry average or getting a wage that isn’t enough to reach your goals. Both are important but require a different approach.
You deserve a raise if you’re not being paid fairly. If the industry standard isn’t enough, you might want to consider your options. You may be able make more money at work than you earn elsewhere.
Challenges in the Work Environment
People don’t quit their jobs; they quit their managers, as the old saying goes. People quit their jobs because of poor experiences with managers (and their colleagues).
It is all about relationships. Together, these relationships create the culture, environment, and culture of your workplace. Your work experience is shaped by both your interactions with other people and the policies that govern them (e.g. remote work or time off).
You don’t have to be a baby if your work environment is causing you pain. This issue must be addressed, regardless of whether it is caused by an individual or a policy. Workplaces that are toxic can have a significant impact on the mental and physical health of workers, leading to stress, depression, burnout and anxiety.
Your safety, both psychological and otherwise, comes first. You should not be treated disrespectfully or badly. However, you shouldn’t give up. You may be able solve the problem without having to abandon ship.
Misalignment of Purpose and Values
These words might sound like corporate CEO-speak but are actually very important for everyone in the organization.
You’ll struggle to stay engaged if you don’t care what you’re working toward. This doesn’t make one lazy or ungrateful. It just makes you human. Research has shown that people perform better when they are connected to their work purpose.
It’s possible that you aren’t not passionate about your purpose, but you just don’t know what it is. It’s easy for a company to feel like a cog in the machine if they aren’t transparent and open about their future vision. Forward-thinking companies involve everyone in their vision and dreams because it will benefit them all.
Everybody deserves a sense meaning. If your work is not aligned with your values, it’s possible to feel restless, bored, or even futile. Extreme situations can lead to your job actively compromising your values. This could be through unethical financial practices, customer policies, or other illegal financial practices. It’s normal to want to leave in such situations.
Lack Of Growth And Opportunity
It’s not about what you do every day, but where you are going. You might consider quitting your job if you feel unchallenged or stuck.
It’s natural to feel the need to go forward. Today’s labor market is changing faster than ever. In-demand jobs and the skills required to do them change at a rapid pace. This makes professional development and learning more important than ever.
It’s worth asking yourself whether your job is leading you in the right direction. Perhaps you are a brilliant organizer who excels in scheduling and administration. However, if graphic design or content strategies are what you find more fulfilling, it’s OK to have doubts.
Is it worth letting it go?
Once you have a clear understanding of why you are feeling these emotions, you can decide what the best course is.
Before you send a resignation letter, consider whether or not the issue can be addressed or resolved. It doesn’t matter what the issue is, it’s worth having an honest discussion about your needs and how your job can help you.
However, if you have multiple issues that are making it difficult to find a job, you might want to consider looking elsewhere. Although managers are often able to help, they have a limit to what they can do. If you want better pay, a sense or purpose, or to escape toxic culture, then you might just be looking for a new job.
What are your options?
There are many things you can do to improve your current job. These ideas are based on open communication with your manager and communicating your needs in a professional manner.
It’s worth explaining to financial concerns that you should prioritize earning more or that your salary isn’t reflective of your industry skills. Your leverage is greater than you realize. Depending on your specialty, replacing you can cost anywhere from 30% up to 400% of your salary.
You can also raise concerns about the workplace environment. You shouldn’t tell your boss that you dislike their management style. Even if you have given notice, insulting someone’s abilities can trigger a defensive reaction.
Keep an open mind and look for opportunities within the company. You might also consider asking for a job on a different team or project. If the policy is too restrictive (e.g. no flexibility for working remotely), you can explain why and request an exception. Your boss will only say no if it is a harsh policy.
Exciting internal opportunities may be a good option if you are looking for growth and meaning or to connect with your company’s values. Make sure everyone knows you are looking for them and your goals. You might have an education budget that is extra to your job. This will help you move in the direction you want.
Honesty with Yourself
It’s not worth living in a miserable job. It’s natural to want to leave a job you don’t like, to stop promising yourself that you will quit, to wonder what the next step is or to feel hopeless about your future.
Although it may seem overwhelming, you can make a difference. Remote work and digital transformation make exciting opportunities more available than ever before!
This is your chance to pursue a career that makes you happy and fulfills you, whether you want to change your job or go on an entirely new adventure.
