Do you really want to quit? 

By now you’ve probably heard about the so-called “Great Resignation.” Since Covid hit, survey after survey have shown that people everywhere are thinking about quitting their jobs. It seems that the global pandemic has caused many of us to reconsider what we want from our careers — and the strong job market has given us the freedom to make changes.

Quitting your job is a big decision and one to take time to consider. You should ask yourself what’s motivating you to make a change. There are many reasons why you may be contemplating throwing in the towel, perhaps you’ve been feeling anxious in your current position for a while, or you’ve figured out that you’d rather be in a different industry or role all together.

It can be tough to be sure if it’s really time to leave. Here are some signs that it’s time to leave your job:

1. You are underusing your skills.

2. You are not following your passion.

3. The work environment is unhealthy.

4. There are no opportunities for growth.

5. The company’s future is in question.

6. Your ethics are being compromised.

7. You are grossly under-compensated.

8. Your values are not aligned with those of the organization.

9. You are no longer able to fulfil your job responsibilities.

10. You need more work-life balance.

11. You dread going to work.

12. You can’t picture yourself there long term.

If the answer to any of these questions is “yes,” then it’s a sign you need to look for a new opportunity.

Can the problems in your current job be remedied?

Before deciding to hand in your notice, it’s important to see if the problems you are experiencing can be remedied. For example, if you feel you are being underpaid, inquire about a raise, making a reasoned argument about why a salary increase is merited.

Another topical example is workplaces slowly returning to the office. If this is something you don’t feel comfortable with, then vocalise it with your manager and try to reach an agreement about working from home. If you don’t ask, you don’t get. You may as well chance your arm before taking the big leap and handing in your notice.

Do you need to have another job before quitting?

In an ideal world, yes, we would recommend having another job lined up. However, there are some exceptions to this. If your current job is negatively impacting your health or your life outside of work, it’s time to get out of that situation ASAP whether you do or don’t have a new job lined up.

How to go about quitting

1. Don’t burn bridges –Remember the reason you are leaving your job is because for whichever of the aforementioned reasons you do not see yourself in your current position/company anymore. This does not mean to say that you will never have any dealings with your current employer ever again.

2. Be Factual – If you do have a great relationship with your boss, they may take your resignation in a personal way. It’s best to stick to the facts, explain in essence “It’s not you it’s me” and be able to leave without any emotional response jeopardising your reputation in the company.

3. Be aware of the infamous counteroffer – If you have already flagged with your manager that you are not happy in your job, whether it’s due to salary, being unfulfilled etc and they do nothing to change it until you tell them that you are going to resign, this should be seen as a big red flag. For more advise on how to deal with a counter offer you can see read our previous TalentHub article here.

Conclusion

“Where do you see yourself in five years?”. Prior to March 2020 this would have been a common question in interviews. Nearly two years later this question can’t be answered in the same “assured” way as before. We are living through a global pandemic which has completely upended our lives. As we come towards the New Year, which can always be a time for self-reflection, perhaps it is time to think about that career change. If you’d like to speak with one of our recruiters to get some advice about your CV or on making your next career move, feel free to get in touch here.

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