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There’s a lot of talk right now about the ‘great resignation’ and the record number of people considering quitting their jobs. If you’re one of those people, there are a few factors you need to consider before giving your two weeks’ notice. Once you turn in your resignation, there’s no going back, so you need to be 100% clear that it’s the right decision to make. Here’s how to make an informed decision about quitting your job:
Make a list of the reasons you want to leave and why it could be good to stay.
You need to be very clear on the reason why you’re choosing to quit. This is not something that should be done on a whim, it needs to be fully thought out. Over the course of one to two weeks, keep a running list of reasons why you want to leave as well as why it would be good to stay. Don’t overthink these lists, just jot down everything that comes to mind.
At the end of the week, review your lists. Look for anything you’ve written down multiple times, reoccurring themes, and weigh the pros and cons against each other. It can be helpful to talk things over with someone to get there perspective as well, and sometimes just the process of saying things out loud can help you get more clarity on what to do.
Figure out what you want to do next.
Never quit your job without knowing what you want to do next. This can be specific, like starting a new career, or broad, like looking for more flexibility. The key is to identify what you want so you can focus your job search around that. Maybe you want to become a digital nomad so you’ll look for a position that’s fully remote. Maybe you’re tired of having a boss so you’ll launch a business and become an entrepreneur. Maybe you’re happy with your current role just not where you’re employed. Whatever your reason, just be sure it’s truly what you want.
Consider an internal move.
You don’t necessarily need to leave your company to find a new job. There are often internal possibilities available that you might not be aware of. Talk to your manager to find out what’s possible. Let them know specifically what you’re looking for so they can best help you achieve it. If you’re feeling stuck in your current role, you might be able to take on a stretch project or transfer to another team to gain experience in a different role. If you’re looking for more flexibility, ask for a better work from home arrangement. The moral of the story is that you never know until you ask, so never make decisions based on assumptions.
Review your finances.
Never quit your job without taking good look at your finances. Quitting without having another job lined up will have a significant financial impact. You don’t know how long your job search will take, and you don’t want to end up in a situation where you run out of money. You should have a minimum of three to six months of income saved without having to dip into your emergency fund. With the exception of incredibly toxic workplaces, it’s best to stay at your current job in order to have financial security while you seek out something new.
Most importantly, don’t quit just because you keep hearing about ‘the great resignation’. While many people are looking for new jobs, just as many are staying put where they are.
