Gone are the days when career goals started and ended with getting comfortably settled in a permanent job. Today people are more than willing to resign from their current jobs if they feel it’s ‘not good enough’ for them anymore. From getting better opportunities elsewhere to plain boredom – the reasons for quitting jobs are many. However, the job market isn’t that understanding. It’s still cut-throat competitive and ruthless, and finding that perfect job is not so easy. So, think twice before you jump the gun and put in your resignation.
Here are some factors that you must consider before quitting your job:
- Figure out ‘Why’:
If you are taking a decision as drastic as quitting your job, you must have a very good reason to do so. Unless you are clear about the reason for quitting your current job, you might not find the one that you really want. Worse, you may end up in the same kind of job again! Thus, it is very important to understand the specific factors that shaped your decision to quit.
- Can you afford it:
Finding a new job that you love can take a long time. No company is waiting outside your door with an offer letter. Hence, it is always prudent to quit your current job only if you have another one lined-up and ready. Even if you are the daring type, you must consider your financial position and responsibilities before deciding to quit. You don’t want to be stuck in a scenario where circumstances force you to take up anything that’s available.
- Life goals:
It’s not very wise to quit a job that fulfills almost all of your major monetary needs and accommodates your fitness routine, for a job that disrupts your entire lifestyle but pays for the latest model of your dream car. Money is not everything in life. A healthy and peaceful lifestyle is gradually gaining prominence over endless thirst for materialistic goals. Thus, it is important to ask yourself if that extra zero in your new paycheck is really worth it.
- Time Management:
Are you quitting your job because you don’t get time for your passion? If yes, then consider learning time-management skills. Try to work your schedule around to strike a balance between the two. You can consider devoting two hours of your weekends to your hobby or maybe you can try getting up half an hour early. Try different ways to keep your work and passion together. This way, you can find self-fulfillment without compromising on your finances.
- Have you tried your best:
You have gotten extremely comfortable in your job and you are quitting because there’s nothing new or challenging to excite you. Take a quick check – have you tried your best to explore new possibilities? It might be that you were so busy planning to move out that you missed opportunities right under your nose. Thus, it’s always better to look well before you leap and exhaust all the options than to regret later.
- No Job is Perfect:
You might be quitting your job because you have a nagging boss. Or maybe you are working more than what you get paid for. There can be several reasons to why your current job sucks. But all is not going to be hunky dory at the new workplace. There’s always going to be something about your job that you don’t like, no matter where you work. The key here is to focus on the bigger and the more important goals that this job helps you to achieve and to ignore the little imperfections on the way.
To sum it up, quitting a job is a life-altering decision. Think it through carefully, make smart choices and ensure you do it the right way. Because it is through our decisions that we shape our future.
