Sometimes you get to the point in your job where you just want out. You’re tired of your boss being unreasonable, you’re sick of unreasonable bureaucracy, you’re annoyed by your colleagues and you’re convinced that you’d be better off anywhere but in the position you’re in. In fact, more than once you’ve almost taken the dramatic step of marching into your boss’s office, resignation letter in hand, ready to tell him where he can shove it!
But is quitting your job right now really a good idea? If you haven’t already lined up a new job, then there could be weeks of job hunting ahead of you (if not more), especially given today’s challenging economic climate. Of course, there’s also the chance that once you’re unemployed you’ll jump into the next job opportunity available and find yourself even more miserable than you are now.
So before you jump in the deep end and quit your job, step back a little and work out exactly what it is that you find dissatisfying about your current position. It’s tempting to use your emotions rather than cold, hard logic when you’re stuck in a job that you hate, especially if you’ve had a really bad week. But going by emotions alone can be a big mistake when it comes to your career.
If you’ve hated your job from day one, then you probably got the wrong job in the first place, in which case looking for a new job is most likely the right idea. However, for most people starting a new job in an area they love is an exciting prospect, and they enjoy the challenge of their new position. If this is the case for you – that you’re in a job you hate, but which you once loved – then you need to understand why, and even figure out what went wrong and if something can be done about it.
If there is no end in sight, and even the most logical and rational assessment of your current job situation makes your prospects of future happiness seem remote, then you need to start planning. It can be very difficult to remain in a job you know holds no future for you, especially when each day is a challenge, but it’s important to make sure that the steps you are taking to get out of your current position and into a better one, are the right ones.
The first step is to start looking in the job ads (and doing a bit of networking) to find out the current job vacancy situation. Are there any jobs around that you’d like and that you’re qualified for? What sort of salary packages are on offer? Are you able to relocate to another city if necessary? Do you actually want to continue on the same career path you’re currently on, or are you ready for a change?
There’s nothing worse than getting out of one job, only to find yourself some months down the track in the exact situation you got out of! This is an unfortunate reality for many people who get out of one job and jump into the next without analysing what went wrong the first time. If you enjoy the actual work, but find your company and colleagues difficult, then maybe getting a similar job with another company will do the trick. However, if you hate the work you do, then there’s absolutely no point in getting a similar job. Odds are, you’ll hate it too!
So what do you do? Work out what you really want to be doing, for starters, and then if you’ve got the experience and qualifications to do it. If you need to do some extra training, then do it, if you can, while you’re in your current job (unless you’ve got some money put away to live on in the meantime). If you have all the skills required, then start networking and sprucing up your resume.
Ideally, when you go for a job, you’ll have some recent references who you can list on your resume, and who you know will give prospective employers a good review of you and your capabilities. So, it doesn’t pay to throw that away by resigning from your current job in a fit of anger. It also helps if you let your current employer know that you are looking for a new job. There’s definitely no need to inform him that you’re leaving because you hate your job! You’re better off telling him that you’re looking for a career change (or whatever else seems like a reasonable reason for your leaving), and part on good terms. Doing so will work better for you in the long term.
If your relationship with your boss is difficult enough without asking him for a reference, then you may have to consider other options (perhaps work colleagues could prove to be better references). If you feel your boss will become unbearable if you let him know you’re thinking of leaving, then it may be better to start applying for jobs without letting on what you’re doing. He may not like it when you quit, but he can’t make your life miserable for too much longer!
When considering whether or not to leave your job, it’s important you know that you are leaving for the right reasons. If your current job really does have no future, then before quitting ensure you’ve got a plan for the future, whether it be further training or another job lined up. Once you have looked at all options logically you’ll know what the right decision is.
In a Bad Marriage? Get Out! In a Bad Career or Job? Find another one Before you jump out. Employers favor currently employed prospects rather than unemployed seekers. –Andre Milteer, M.A. (Psychology)
I would say the same think but when you don’t accept any other conditions from the company as your objective is different from the company ones….i don’t find anymore the right motivation to follow each its decision….what could i do? i am now unemployed seeker but i am convinced that outside I could find again the right motivation and will to develop my career. What is your feedback? – Emanuela C.
What is the solution if you are in a foreign country with work permit but hard pressed to find a job, and then when you do get one it is not in your core area of expertise, still you take the job and realise the job description was mis-sold to you? You have to quit cause this is not what you want and yet you are without a job cause in your area of expertise the locals are preffered??
when you start to dread going to work, its time to move on.