How to know when it’s time to quit your job
Thinking of quitting your job? Whether you are miserable and dream of quitting your job in a dramatic TikTok-worthy fashion, or if you’re just feeling stagnant and uninspired, leaving your job is a huge decision. So before you put in your two-weeks notice (yes, you should give two weeks notice), here’s advice on red flags to look out for, steps to take once you know it’s time, and how quitting can be a good career move.
SIGNS THAT YOU SHOULD QUIT
Sometimes it’s clear that you should quit, if you have a toxic boss or culture.
Other times, you may just feel vaguely unhappy at work. If you’re trying to decide, these are the three biggest red flags that it’s time to look for a new job.
You don’t feel valued: As Fast Company contributor Christina Gnozzo says: “To feel valued, one must be heard, trusted and treated with respect. Frantic emails off-hours, unnecessary follow-ups, micromanagement, unrealistic deadlines and expectations, and complete disregard of work/life balance are major red flags that can compound over time and lead employees to quit.”
You’re tired all the time: “If your employer doesn’t encourage ‘off time’ and lacks respect for your personal life and boundaries, it could result in burnout,” Gnozzo says. “No one wants to find themselves in a situation where they are too tired to feel inspired, and too stuck to make a transition. Follow the physical signs your body tells you, and listen to them.”
If you’re not learning anything new:
A good job is meaningful in some way. For many people that meaning comes from learning and evolving and feeling challenged. If you’re feeling stagnant and there’s no room from growth at your company, it might be time to look for something new.
GETTING THE COURAGE TO QUIT
It can be really stressful to get up the courage to quit, depending on your circumstances and work environment. Fast Company writer Stephanie Vozza interviewed Julia Keller, author of “Quitting: A Life Strategy: The Myth of Perseverance — and How the New Science of Giving Up Can Set You Free.”
Keller interviewed more than 150 people who had quit something, whether that was their job or belief system.
In the book, she gives some tips about coming to terms with quitting. She advises thinking of quitting as a chance to gain something new.
Sometimes it can also help to explore the idea of quitting. One way is to pretend you’ve already made the decision and check in to see how you feel about it.
LEAVING A GOOD IMPRESSION
Once you decide you want to quit, it’s important to do it in a way that doesn’t burn bridges and will leave a good impression. Even if you hate your job and hope to never see your boss or coworkers again, the world of work is small, especially if you plan to stay in the same industry.
So here’s how to quit on the best terms possible.
Prepare what you want to say and set up a meeting with your direct manager first. Keep it short; there’s no need to give a long list of reasons and complaints. If you’ve made your decision and can’t be persuaded with a counteroffer, just let your manager know that you’ve accepted a new position or you’ve decided to take some time off. Your next stop will likely be HR, followed by your direct coworkers, and depending on your role, maybe upper management.
You should also write a resignation letter; it might not be required by all companies, but it’s always good to have terms in writing and it’s often required by HR. Your resignation letter should spell out your last day, which, unless there are extenuating circumstances, should be at least two weeks later.
Finally, in those last two weeks, it can be tempting to slack off, but doing so can undo all the hard work you’ve done in your job, as the last thing everyone will remember is those final two weeks.
You should also set up a transition plan for the person taking over your responsibilities.
HANDLING THE EXIT INTERVIEW
One of the most awkward parts of quitting can be the exit interview, including navigating if you need to ask for one, and deciding what to say.
The central tension comes down to whether you should be fully honest. While honesty is typically the best policy, there are legitimate reasons why many employees feel they shouldn’t overshare and risk hurting their relationships.
Fortunately, there are ways to honestly and politely share feedback during an exit interview. The bottom line is that you aren’t required to share anything you don’t feel comfortable with and if you vent, it might not be well received. But if you’re leaving a job that could have been better with a few changes, constructively offering that feedback could help the next person.