How to know when it’s time to quit your job (and what to do about it)

You’ve reached a crossroads in your career. Perhaps you are wavering between leaving a company to explore new opportunities or staying where you are because it’s comfortable and safe. Leaving a company or firm is a tough decision, especially if you’ve been there for an extended career of a decade or longer.

You may even see the writing on the wall: extreme burnout (depleted energy), a negative attitude due to a toxic work environment, increased stress that’s transferring into your home life, a lack of fulfillment/boredom (you’ve hit the ceiling on the skills side), and perhaps you’re even tackling the Sunday night blues.

Before you hit “send” on that resignation letter, it’s important to know when it’s time to quit your job and how to tactfully manage your exit strategy. 

Make a pros and cons list

As a career expert and executive branding coach, I always recommend having a list of reasons “why” you want to quit and make sure it’s not a hasty decision. You want to clearly determine if it’s the job or the company that’s the heart of the issue. I suggest making a pros and cons list before you abandon ship.

Think about whether the negatives outweigh the positives. If you’re seeking to leave for one or two reasons, but you have five or six good reasons why you should stay, that may be a reason to re-think leaving. Consider also whether it’s the job or the company that’s the heart of the issue. 

Know your short-term and long-term goals

Before you begin your next job search, or if you’re at a roadblock, create a job search map — make a column of skills you’re good at and another column of tasks/skills you enjoy and feel passionate about. Consulting with a career coach who can get you clear on the direction you want to go is another great avenue.

You can additionally participate in key inventories and assessments that will help you determine positions/industry sectors that align with your personality and interests. These assessments include StrengthsFinder 2.0, Myers-Briggs, DISC Assessment, or the Strong Interest Inventory. 

Update your career documents

After the getting crystal clear on your direction, update your resume and LinkedIn profile for your new job search target. Think about how you will address in an interview why you’re seeking a new role and think about your mission and your own “why.”

Be sure to create a job search spreadsheet so you can accurately track where you’re applying, roles you’re applying to, and key contacts at the companies you will be making outreach. This allows you to have a structured job search and not waste time trying to connect the dots.

Evaluate your decisions carefully

During the interview process, be sure to evaluate the job offer before quickly accepting. You will want to rank your non-negotiables. Salary is not everything.

Today, people want more flex scheduling, merit bonuses, and quality health insurance benefits. If salary is important to you, make sure to research the market value of jobs at your experience level and geographic area. This way, you walk to the negotiation table with all your information. 

If you do decide to quit, I always recommend being as professional as possible, which means providing formal written notice and speaking to your reporting executive/supervisor one-on-one about the decision to resign. 

Resignations should be treated with the utmost confidence, conviction, and respect. You never want to burn bridges and cause yourself to be blacklisted in an industry or at a company.