That’s it. You’ve reached your breaking point. You’re going to quit your job. Well...soon. Very soon.
Quitting a job is never easy. There is a lot to consider before finally turning in your resignation letter. Is this an emotional reaction or a real decision? Can the problems you’re currently facing actually be solved? Have you done everything possible to solve them? Will this be a good or bad career move? How long have you been in this role? Will your next potential employer think you’re a quitter based off a short stint on your resume? Will the next job actually be better?
Why Do You Want To Quit?
Have you outgrown the job? Is the job affecting your health or personal life in a negative way? Is the job hindering you from pursuing your bliss or long-term goals? Does your job no longer match the lifestyle you desire?
It’s important to identify concrete reasons before leaving job to not only be able to remind yourself why you made the decision you made, but to provide feedback to your company during an exit interview. Additionally, you’ll need solid material to craft your reason for leaving response for your next job interview.
Take the Necessary Steps to Quit
If you are still confident quitting is the best option, when preparing to leave, here are the steps you should take:
1. Job search and interview like it’s your second job. If you really want to escape, searching for a new job passively once a week won’t cut it. Spend at least one hour every night connecting with other professionals on LinkedIn, joining groups, and polishing your profile. Browse job posts on mobile apps while standing in line for coffee or taking a walk outside on your break -- any downtime you can find while not at your current job. Stay in constant communication with recruiters and hiring managers using email, LinkedIn messaging, or another social media channel. Schedule interviews around your workday as if they are “meetings” for your second job.
2. Let your boss know the second you accept a new offer. Once you receive a new job offer, shift your priorities to create as smooth of a transition as possible. Give an extended notice if you have the time. Three weeks to a month is always more appreciated than the standard two weeks. Always let your boss know right away, because if he finds out you waited to tell him, he might feel betrayed, leading you to part on bad terms.
3. Offer your help in referring a candidate or training your replacement. In your letter of resignation, offer your help in referring a candidate or training your replacement. Filling a position can take a company weeks or even months. But if they can move quickly enough, they can assure your replacement receives quality training through you, the current expert in the role.
4. Leave an organized space for your replacement. Organize your digital space -- the files in your computer, your contacts, and all documents -- for your replacement. Use categories to make finding information more intuitive. You can even begin this while job searching and interviewing so you aren’t rushing to tie up loose ends in your last couple weeks. If it makes sense for your role, create a “guide” that will help the new hire get acclimated in the company, sharing helpful hints to help the day run smoothly.
Quitting your job is a process which requires a lot of thought, planning, and determination. You may still experience doubt or “buyer’s remorse” after you make the big decision. But instead of looking at the choice you make as “right” or “wrong,” ask what you can learn from it and keep moving forward.
What other advice would you add based on your own experience quitting a job?
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