I f you are reading this article, chances are that you hate your job and are contemplating quitting at some sooner stage or just proactively seeking career advice on the next course of action for you. Whatever it is, you are not alone, other countless individuals are seeking these same answers every single day.
We all know change simply isn’t easy, and quitting a job, no matter how much you hate it, is not an easy decision to make. There are countless things to keep in consideration when making such a life-changing decision, after all.
Will you be able to get a new job soon, will this new job provide steady employment? Will you earn as much, or are you looking to improve your salary? Perhaps you are trying to gather the courage to finally start up your very own business and become your own boss.
Whatever the cause, taking those final few steps isn’t easy. In this article, we’ll discuss general career advice on how to finally take the leap of faith and quit that job that makes you so miserable.
1). Before quitting
Don’t rush to quit your job quite so hastily. It’s a big change and you’ll have to make sure every piece falls into the right place before you take the leap.
Seek professional career advice if you have to. Be sure to update your resume with enough time to make it look professional and appealing. Also, work on your Linkedin page, build up contacts and make sure your social media presence is as professional as possible: If you have pictures of you and your friends partying all night on Facebook, make your profile private so that your potential employers or clients don’t see it when googling your name.
If you work on a field that requires you to present your portfolio, begin building it up and organizing it, as well as try and add letters of recommendation to your CV.
It’s always best to already have another job lined up before quitting, but if this isn’t the case, at least be sure to be as prepared as possible to ace your job interviews.
2). Don’t forget to write a resignation letter
Even if you talked to your boss face-to-face, never take for granted the importance of stating your resignation in a written form, and with a copy to HR. This is fundamental since your employer might later claim you never gave them notice and you just walked out. This avoids future complications or conflicts and helps keep things amicable.
Remember to keep it neutral and not state all the reasons why you are quitting or why you hate this job.
3). Plan your finances
Unless you already have another job lined up, you’ll have to adjust your finances until you get a new source of income.
If you are able to, the best course of action is meeting with a financial planner, who’ll be able to let you know what areas you’d have to spend less on. If not, sit down and make a long list of all your expenses, as detailed as possible, and make sure you are aware of what luxuries you can give up on for the time being.
Making sure you have rainy day funds or start saving up as soon as possible is also an important step to consider.
4). Make a copy of all the documents you need from your work computer
If your resignation isn’t accepted as amicably as you expect it to, you might not have access to your computer after quitting your job. In case it comes to this, be sure to upload all the files you might require on your drive or Pendrive, to make sure you don’t lose documents that could be useful to build up your portfolio or other valuable information.
Career Advice: 6 Tips on how to quit that job you hate so much in a respectful and dignified way.
5). Leave on good terms
We know that if you hate your job, you’d most likely love to slam the door as you leave, cursing everyone on your way out, but that’s not a wise move to make.
Leaving on good terms is the best way to go, as it will allow you to keep them as positive references for future interviews.
Be sure to give your boss a two-week notice, or whatever the terms of your contract state, as well as speak about the subject in person. This is not a conversation meant to be had over the phone or by email.
If asked why you are leaving, try to keep it neutral, at worse. You should try not to get into the reasons why you hate your job, as it might make your boss hold a grudge against you, especially if they are the reason you are leaving.
If you want to be extra helpful and part on good terms, then offer to train your replacement or at least be available for online questions during a week or two after you leave.
Don’t forget to say goodbye to your coworkers, even if you didn’t have the best relationship with them to begin with, as you never know who you’ll be working with (or for!) in the future.
6). What to tell a potential employer on the reasons you quit your previous job
It’s not wise to come across as confrontational or difficult to work with, so it goes without saying that you shouldn’t be telling your potential future employer about all the reasons why you quit the job you loathed.
Try not going on a rant and simply state that you were looking for a change. If you need to explain the situation further, saying that your previous employer and you didn’t see eye to eye on the important matters but that you left amicably should be enough.
Other great options are stating you were looking for new opportunities, or maybe even searching for a bigger challenge, as you felt there was no further room for professional growth at your previous job. This will make your interviewer feel like you are ambitious and serious about your career.
Remember to be honest but always avoid negativity. More tips here on how to quit that job you hate gracefully. If you are scared or afraid to take this important course of action in your life, read this containing powerful quotes on how to conquer your fears.
Let’s recap on the Career Advice: 6 Tips on how to quit that job you hate so much
- Before quitting – Don’t rush to quit your job quite so hastily
- Don’t forget to write a resignation letter
- Plan your finances
- Make a copy of all the documents you need from your work computer if you use one
- Leave on good terms
- Remember to be honest but always avoid negativity.
