What to consider before you quit your job

No job is perfect all of the time and when times are tough you may find yourself contemplating a move. Whether spur of the moment or a well thought out change, it is still important to take a few things into account as the grass isn't always greener on the other side. Whilst it is natural to want to do something new after a while, it is important to balance the pros and cons before you make a decision, here is what we advise you consider.

Do you want more from your current role?

Is your desire to leave simply a result of boredom in your current role as you feel could handle more responsibility? Or perhaps you feel a promotion is in order but you have been overlooked by management. Before leaving altogether, a meeting with your superior could help address these questions, they are not mind readers at the end of the day and are unable to change anything they do not know about. A solution may even come from this, and if not, at least then if you do still decide to leave, you know you have taken every action possible to make your situation workable.

What is the problem?

It is important to specifically identify what the real problem is with your role. Is it the role itself you’re unhappy with, perhaps it’s your boss or the people you work with, maybe it’s the logistics or even the company as a whole. Identifying exactly what is getting you down is the first step to addressing the issue and is essential before making any rash decisions.

Are you simply having a bad day/week?

Your mood can play a major part to how you’re operating at work and can often translate into your duties. We all have our good and bad days, and whilst quitting in the heat of the moment can often seem like the only way out, it is important to take a deep breath and not act on impulse . Taking a few days holiday to fully recharge can often help and if, when you return you’re still not happy, at least you know your decision was thought through carefully.

Do you have a plan?

So after you plan to quit, what’s the next step? Do you have another role lined up or enough money to live on whilst job hunting that will also cover all your outgoings? Are you able to live on just your partner’s salary for the time period it takes to find a new role? Do you perhaps have a family to support? Yes to any of the above requires extra thought as your resignation affects more than just yourself.
The time of year can play a big part into the amount of roles available and it is unlikely these days that you can just walk straight into a new job, it’s therefore worth taking the time to plan your next move. Assess the job market, perhaps even register with a reputable Recruitment Consultancy who can work on your behalf with the strictest of confidence, whilst giving advice and insight into the market of your chosen profession.

How will I explain this to future employees?

Whilst it can be tempting to leave your role in a sudden blaze of fire, telling your fellow employees exactly what you think of them on the way out, it will never reflect well on yourself. Despite your feelings, it is important to leave your role on a good note and remain professional throughout. Tell your boss your plans to leave in a courteous manner, both in person and in writing and fulfill the necessary notice period as stated within your contract. Leaving adequate notes and guidance for your successor will also reflect well and is great for your reputation. Your previous role will be queried in coming interviews and quite often references are required from previous employers, so take the classy route as you never know what implications could come of doing otherwise.

With enough careful thought and planning, a successful departure from a role is possible. Life after all is too short to spend it in an unhappy position, so thank your boss for their support during your employment and wish the company well. Should you then wish to discuss your options further with one of our experienced recruiters, call us on 0191 492 6622 for a confidential, no obligations chat.