At some point, we all experience moments when we must decide to let go of something that once gave us purpose. But how sure are you that the decision to quit your job will not take you from the frying pan into the fire? Watch out for the signs that you are ready to leave your job. Here are five signs that confirm you are ready to take the leap.
5 signs you are ready to quit your job
1. You feel undervalued
A little recognition at the workplace goes a long way. It boosts morale and lets you know you are making a difference in your profession. There are so many reasons why you might be feeling undervalued, including:
- Receiving frequent negative or harsh criticism.
- Lack of appreciation at work.
- Poor pay in comparison to your peers or amount of work done.
Don’t leave your job until you discuss this with your employer, and if the situation doesn’t change consider putting in a resignation letter.
2. You’re making room for growth
Does your current job offer you growth and promotional opportunities? Do you feel like you have exhausted your talents and skills in your position? That is a wake-up call that you might be ready to quit your job and move forward to bigger and better opportunities.
Lack of growth manifests in many ways, including lacking the time and opportunity to attend conferences, get certifications, or expand your education. If you are not in a position to grow your skills and talents in your current job, clear your desk, and don’t let the door hit you on your way out.
3. You feel unmotivated, uninspired, and unengaged
Forcing yourself to be productive or go to work every day is a sign that it’s time to leave your job. You might be unmotivated because you struggle to fit into the company culture, toxic workplace, work-life imbalance, workplace burnout, or inability to connect with your fellow employees.
4. You’re experiencing problems with your employer or supervisor
Regularly butting heads with your supervisor or employer will affect your daily engagement and duties. There are so many ways that your work relationship with your employer can affect you professionally and personally. Maybe you have a boss from hell who micromanages, doesn’t appreciate your hard work, is unavailable when you need assistance, or is disrespectful. It’s even worse if your problems with your employer come from a personality difference rather than your work.
5. Your industry or company is struggling
The company turnover rate shows the health and growth of the business. When the company doesn’t have a high employee retention rate, it means that it has internal struggles. Furthermore, a high turnover rate also shows that a company doesn’t have a strong workplace culture, which is a red flag.
When should you not quit your job?
Don’t be tempted to leave your job if:
1. You have not saved up - If quitting your job will leave you penniless, hang in there a little bit longer. It’s too risky to quit your job not knowing where you will get your next meal or how you will pay your bills.
2. You don’t have a plan - You don’t have to have everything planned out when you quit your job, but you need to know your next steps. For example, you could start applying to other companies before leaving your job (just do it strategically though). Additionally, plan how you will pay your bills and sustain yourself before getting your next job.
3. You are only chasing a bigger salary - Chasing the money is not a bad goal. However, if it is the only reason you want to leave your job, think twice. You might be jumping from the frying pot into the fire. Some high-paying jobs come with mental health strain, lack of boundaries, or burnout. Don’t sacrifice yourself for more workplace stress and a work-life imbalance.
4. You are experiencing a bad luck streak - Just as I said in the beginning, a job is like a relationship. There are so many lows and highs; you need to know when you're experiencing some turbulence or are going to crash.
5. You are guided by emotions - You might have had a bad experience with a colleague, boss, or client and are thinking about quitting. Take some time off to cool down and think about your decisions. If you are good at what you do and you enjoy doing it, stay put!
6. You haven’t talked to your boss - A company that values what you do and your position as an employee will make the necessary arrangements if you request them. The key is to communicate with your boss before anyone else.
Three tips to help you leave your job on good terms
If you have evaluated your position and situation and still feel like quitting your job is the right decision, we are here to guide you through the next steps of the quitting process.
1. Inform your manager
Let your manager hear this news directly from you. Getting this information from someone else is going to cause some unnecessary friction. Additionally, you are going to have to discuss it with your team so that you come up with an exit strategy. We advise you to tell your manager before telling your colleagues.
2. Give at least two weeks' notice
If you individually contribute to one or two major projects in the company, give at least two weeks’ notice. Alternatively, check your employment contract for the notice period that you are supposed to provide to your employer. When you quit your job, write a short and sweet notice letter. You don’t have to give a reason for leaving, but you can show gratitude for the experience and knowledge gained.
Here’s an example of a resignation letter you can use:
“Dear [HR Manager/Manager],
I wish to let you know that I am resigning from my position as XXXXXXX at XXXXX. My last date of employment will be on XXXXXXXX.
This was not an easy decision to make. [Company Name] has been so good to me and has done wonders for my career development. I greatly appreciate the effort and time you invested into my professional growth and all the opportunities you gave me.
I will continue to support the team during the next two weeks, and I am happy to discuss an exit strategy to ensure a smooth transition for the Company.
Sincerely,
[Signature]
[Name]”
In the days leading up to your departure date, create a smooth transition plan by doing the following:
- Reference your files and share all the documents with your team. Someone should be able to pick up your work from where you left off.
- Maintain your productivity during the last days on the job. This is not the time to slack off with a bad attitude. Remember that you can still leverage your work relationships in the future.
- Help your replacement learn the ropes of your position. Your generosity will make you a memorable colleague and allow you to show your leadership skills.
- Come up with a short, memorable, and sweet goodbye email to your team members. Alternatively, you could have a group discussion, virtual lunch, or one-on-one coffee chats.
- Request and schedule an exit interview so that you can provide feedback on your experience at the company.
Conclusion
Now that you know that you want to quit your job, you must remember that you are not the first person who has left the company, and you won’t be the last. Quitting your job is a very touchy subject so expect jitters and second thoughts. When you quit your job, apply these tips to ensure that you leave without burning bridges.