At some point in our lives, we’ve all been faced with the infamous question, should I quit my job or should I stay? Although the question itself seems like it can be answered with confidence, we always seem to have second thoughts, or other opinions influencing the final decision. The CGS Team has put together 5 questions to ask yourself before quitting your job. Any decision made on emotion may not be the best one, so think it through and move forward appropriately.
5 Questions to Ask Before Quitting Your Job
How long have you worked for the company?
It’s always a good look on your resume to show you’ve been with a company for a certain amount of time. Haven’t ever heard of the two year rule? When you’ve been with the company for a minimum of two years it shows future employers that you’re dependable and committed.
If you don’t think the quick job is worthy of being on your resume, don’t sweat it! In the future you will have a chance to explain why you’ve worked shorter or longer periods at companies. Future employers appreciate a person working towards something, and being able to identify what you need to get there.
What’s pushing you to leave?
Sometimes people choose to quit because they feel they can’t move up in the company, or because they don’t like the way they’re being treated. Take a step back and analyze what the real issue is that’s driving you to leave your company. Is it fixable? Have you tried talking to a supervisor, or manager? Can you do anything to fix the issue yourself? Before leaving try exhausting all possible avenues of fixing whatever it is that is pushing you to leave.
Most of the time we are subconsciously thinking we are fixing the issue, but in reality we aren’t. Expressing your concern to your employer without telling them you are considering quitting is better than just leaving. Some employers are willing to make the workforce enjoyable for their employees. If you’ve done a good job, you may be surprised at what accommodations can be made to keep you around.
Do you have another job lined up?
The golden rule of quitting is to never leave one job without having another lined up! There may be times when people just can’t take their current position and quit at the drop of a dime, but acting on that emotion may not be the best action. If you don’t quit on impulse it’s smart to have another job lined up.
Sometimes having another job lined up can make the transition easier to leave. Knowing there is a better opportunity waiting can motivate you to want more out of your work life that you may not be getting from your current job position. Already have an offer? Think about where you would be working compared to where you’re currently working.
Weighing both options can help make you decide if staying or quitting is best. Remember, moving for money is not always the best option. If you are passionate about what you’re doing, choose the job that will help you reach your end goal.
What does your family think?
Although the final choice is yours, it’s always nice to have the support of your family and friends during tough times. Perhaps even asking them what they would do if they were in your shoes could help give you some insight on what you should do. With the support of family and friends, a weight of stress can be lifted off from you.
Sometimes talking out loud with people can help you answer the question you’ve been trying to figure out for so long. Friends and family are here to uplift and encourage. Every now and then we all need some of that to get us through those tough decisions.
Where do you see yourself going?
Typically when we start working for a company, we set goals for ourselves. Whether the goal is asking for a raise or a promotion after a certain amount of time, setting realistic goals can help determine if staying with company is worth it. If you find that you aren’t reaching your goals, and the company is not helping you grow, quitting and finding a better position suited around your potential may be the best option.
Setting goals for yourself helps you stay focused, and keeps you motivated. One of our biggest down falls in life is staying stagnant, be sure to always set goals and strive to achieve them!
Related: How to Politely Quit Your Job.
Simple questions like these can make or break your decision on staying or leaving your current job. It’s much easier said than done when thinking about the situation, but it’s important to never rush into making a decision like this. In most cases your job is your livelihood, and it’s important to think about the long term effects quitting may have. Have you ever been faced with a dilemma similar to this? How did you make your decision? Leave a comment below to share your experiences with leaving a job.
1 thought on “5 Questions to Ask Before Quitting Your Job”
I have been in the position of leaving a job due to a better job offer. I definitely weighed the pros and cons, and it turned out to be the best decision that I have ever made. Better pay, more opportunities, and faster growth. But on the flip side, I have known friends that have quit jobs because of a wounded pride, or based on emotions and each time it has not turned out well. My friends who quit their jobs didn’t have another job lined up and ended up being out of work for over 6 months. This ended up putting them in a worse position than when they were at their old job, unhappy.