Should I Stay Or Should I Go? 3 Ways To Know If It’s Time To Quit
If you’re like me in my search for a career, I went from job to job. Around the 6-month mark I began to get the itch for something new. Either it was an issue with management, boredom, or lack of pay. I was always striving for something else, and sometimes after I said, “I quit!” I regretted it. Leaving a job should not be based on emotion since our feelings can’t be trusted. Just look at our past relationships. It’s best to stand back from the situation and evaluate the root of your issues. Not liking management is not a solid reason to leave the company. You’re not going to like everyone you work with and there’s no perfect scenario. You just have to get over it. With that said, here are 3 real reasons to say, “I quit!”
You can see the company is failing.
Most companies won’t come right out and say, “Hey guys, we’re closing our doors in about six months, so be prepared.” You’re going to have to pay attention to the signs of layoffs, lack of business, merging departments, extreme policy changes, upper-management playing musical chairs, etc. Usually when there’s a new CEO or new marketing guru, the company is making a last ditch effort to save the company. This is the time to lay your ground work to find other employment. You should be keeping track of major accomplishments to update your resume, making sure you get important contact information, review your contract upon hiring to see what severance package you’d receiving.
Don’t jump ship right away! You don’t know what’s going on behind the scenes, so you never know if the company is merging and your job will survive. You can’t do anything about the company folding, but you can set yourself up for success in the transition.
You’re miserable.
I’m not referring to the above example of not liking management. I’m referring to you dreading to go to work and subjecting yourself to a hostile environment. It is one thing to not like your coworkers, and it’s completely another to work in a constant stressful situation and subject to unhealthy surroundings. Working in this environment has a mental and physical effect on your overall well being. There may be no work-life balance allowing you to have an outlet, especially if your home life has its own set of problems to deal with.
In this case you will need to think long-term. Your salary is great, but what are you giving up in the process? Is it worth it? Look at your options. First, keep a paper trail (names, dates, saved emails, etc.) of every incident that contributes to the hostile environment. If management or your HR department has not taken proper action to assist you in remedying the situation, it’s time to quit or take legal action.
You are not being utilized.
We all start positions with high hopes and thoughts of project leadership opportunities, promotions, and truly making a difference. It doesn’t always end up that way. If you are not able to show what you have to offer complacency can easily set in. If you have made significant effort to gain more responsibilities, to lead a project or team, and to get promoted with no change, it’s time to move on. Lack of growth opportunities is a top reason for many to leave a company. You can stay simply for a paycheck, however, if you’re looking for a place to put down roots you should definitely look elsewhere.
Finding a new job of quality is easier said than done, but is doable with the proper planning and tools. Do not allow complacency to set in where you don’t have the confidence to step out and find the place you belong with all the perks.
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