Is it the time? Do you really think so? Even in this economy to quit your job? Many think to themselves “I would love to get out of here – permanently.” How do you determine when it’s time to go?
The decision to leave a job is huge and ranks up there with buying a house, getting married, and having a baby. It is a very big decision, and affects other aspects of your life, including how you feel about yourself personally. Suddenly you begin to undervalue your worth and worry about what friends and family might think if you were among the unemployed. Quit and you might suffer from seller’s remorse. Stay and continue to despise your position, and wish you were somewhere –anywhere else.
Sometimes it is important to take stock of a situation and just move on. You might be surprised how liberating it can be. Besides the obvious reasons (want to make more money, shorter commute, etc.) for making a change, keep in mind that this gives you the opportunity to identify a position that is much more fulfilling and provides you with the personal and professional development that you need and want.
But what if the gray areas are just too gray? It is important to look at every component of your job including opportunities for advancement, your relationship with your boss and/or co-workers, the strategic direction of the company and the length of time you have been employed there. Staying too long can present other problems that can affect your self-worth and personal relationships. By being with the same employer for a long time, you can become “too” comfortable so it will be just that much harder to leave. Recruiters and hiring companies also do not think highly anymore of those that only have a couple of companies on their resume.
So, how do you really know if it’s time to go? It may sound odd but going with your gut is probably the best indicator. If you start thinking to yourself “I really don’t want to go there anymore!” Or, “I hate my job!” (That’s always a big one) or you just dread getting out of bed every morning, it is time to start packing up your desk and get out of there.
The bottom line is this – evaluate your situation and make a decision that will facilitate your happiness. If that means leaving, then so be it. You don’t need to stay in a bad situation. Leaving sooner rather than later will allow you to maintain motivated and positive to pursue something else. Whatever you do try as best as possible to leave on a positive note without sacrificing your welfare or your family’s welfare, before you get out of Dodge. No good can come of staying in a bad job.
This article was co-authored by Beth Carter and Debra Wheatman.
Debra is a Certified Professional Résumé Writer and Certified Professional Career Coach. Find out more about Debra at www.resumesdonewrite.com.