Why and How to Quit a Job That’s Not Working for You 

As an old song says, “breaking up is hard to do.”  Breaking up with your job may not be easy, but sometimes it’s in your best interest to move on from your current place of employment.   

Why It May Be Time to Say Goodbye to Your Current Employer

  • You’re Stuck: You’ve gained experience and learned as much as you can, but there’s no path for promotion to greater responsibilities and higher pay. 
  • You’re Ready: You’re looking for a new challenge, a new place to apply your skills or you want to switch to a related, but different career path.
  • Your Job is High Conflict: The job or the workplace is not a good fit and there is more-than-typical stress and conflict.
  • You’re Underemployed: The job hours are unreliable, less than full time or you’re working beneath or outside of your experience and education. Learn more about underemployment in the article Three Signs That You May Be Underemployed and What to Do About It.

How to Quit a Job That’s Not Working for You

Prepare in Advance

Improve work-related “hard” skills and people/communication-related “soft” skills. Research companies and careers that best fit your education, experience and interests. Update your resume and brush up on your interview skills. 

Learn more with these articles:

Skill Build Your Way to Making More Money

Soft Skills at Work: Stand Out and Make More Money

Tips to Write Your Resume, Nail Your Interview & Negotiate Your Salary

Get a Job Offer in Writing Before You Quit

Do NOT quit a job until you have accepted a written offer for a new position. This is important so that you do not have to drain your savings if you become unemployed or experience a gap between jobs. Plus, unpaid bills can spiral into big and stressful financial problems. 

The exception of course is if your place of employment is unsafe. Then your priority is your safety and health.

Be Polite and Professional

After you’ve accepted another job offer, give your employer written notice that you are leaving. Two weeks in advance is typical. However, some employers may ask you to stay longer and some will ask you to leave that same day. Indeed.com has helpful advice and samples of a two-week notice letter here.

While quitting in a dramatic fashion or telling off your employer on social media may be tempting, avoid the temptation. Leaving professionally and politely maintains contacts which might be helpful in the future and will be looked upon favorably by your new employer.

Choose to Move to a Better Path

As you consider if it is the right time to move to a new job, think about your career path. Human Resource (HR) Specialist Dean Scott has this advice. “‘Career path’ is often used because it is like walking a path in the forest. There are going to be many paths to choose from/many different opportunities while working. Be the one that chooses to move yourself to a better path.”