Overloaded? Burned Out? Can’t deal with some difficult co-workers? Those all might be tempting reasons to say, “I quit,” but before you do, carefully think through your situation and how those words might affect your future. Consider these factors before calling it quits.
Financial Risks and Timing
Quitting at the wrong time can affect your wallet. For instance, if you resign from your position during the holiday season, think about the lost money, according to human resources experts. They say you stand to benefit as most employers give as much paid time off over the holidays as possible, and thus, there are lots of opportunities for overtime.
Experts also say it’s easier to find a job when you have a job. When you’re unemployed, there will always be many questions surrounding your reasons for unemployment.
In addition, weigh in unemployment benefits. Your eligibility for unemployment insurance may be at risk if you voluntarily quit your job.
Job Stability Counts
Take note of your track record. Look at your marketability before quitting your present job. Some hiring managers say the first thing they look at on a resume is job stability. “Job jumpers are rarely good candidates for consideration.”
Negotiation Power
Having a job is to your advantage when it comes to salary negotiations. Prospective employers know that it’s very unlikely an employed person will leave one job to take another job that pays less. If you are unemployed, you lose your edge in salary negotiations.
Can This Relationship Be Saved?
If you’re reconsidering quitting after taking the above factors into account, think of ways to solve your current problems. It’s important to resolves issues as soon as you are aware of a problem. It will not go away if you ignore it. When it becomes personal, it becomes much harder to smooth over and may require an objective third party such as your HR rep.
If you are unable to work things out, talk about the situation with someone who is responsible for the overall organization and not just your division. If it’s just personality issues, you might be able to transfer to a different part of the company.
But it may be time to quit if you can’t work through an uncomfortable situation. But be sure to resolve the situation before you leave so you don’t cringe when you run into your ex-boss at the supermarket.
Give Ample Notice
Leaving someone high and dry is not proper and unprofessional. Although you may fantasize about that, don’t do it. Two weeks notice is common professional courtesy. Don’t burn bridges as you might want to come back.
Write It
Your resignation should be put in writing. Briefly explain your reason for leaving and state the last day you will be working. Thank your boss for his support during your employment, even if he was lacking a bit in this area, and wish the company well.
Now’s the time to start your job search. BeyondJob is here to help. We have thousands of company and salary reviews from all over the United States and the world to help you figure out what companies might be a good match for you. Email us if you have any questions or suggestions. Happy job hunting!
