Tips for Quitting Your Job

All working professionals must understand that there is a right and a wrong way to leave your job. Doing it properly is the best way to go, so consider some ways to adequately prepare before quitting your job.

Ponder Your Decision

It is important to weigh your decision carefully before you decide if quitting your job is the correct choice. If you have been with the company for a long time, consider what benefits, vacation time and other forms of compensation you may forfeit. Will your retirement plan suffer? Can you find another position in your area with competitive pay rates and benefits? Are there any other consequences or repercussions for quitting your job at this time? By evaluating all aspects of your decision, you can make a insightful, intelligent decision before you act.

Expand Your Skills and Education

You should expand your skills and education before quitting your job. Aim to master all of the systems and tools that you use, and improve any skills associated with your position to take greater knowledge and experience with you to your next job. Consider taking training classes to gain more industry qualifications, or pursue a degree to improve your chances for better employment and rank with another company. If you are more prepared to excel in the workforce, you will feel more confident about your decision.

Secure New Employment

Many individuals only quit their job once they have landed another position, and this is a wise strategy. Before quitting your job, make sure to secure new employment first. If you plan on leaving soon, start looking for a new position with a reputable employer months before your exodus. Making sure that you have another gig lined up ensures that you can still pay your expenses without falling into debt and a stressful, unemployed state.

Inform Your Employer in Advance

Although walking out of your job on a whim may be a satisfying fantasy for some, it is a bad move in the professional world. Before quitting your job, make sure to inform your employer accordingly. Give at least a few week’s notice before you exit, send a resignation letter and sign any necessary paperwork. If you know that your employer or manager will need a replacement worker for you right away, you may want to inform him a few months ahead of time. Your employer will appreciate the heads-up and will be far less likely to bash your departure if contacted as a job reference in the future.

Leave in Good Spirits

It is important to leave on a good note with everyone when quitting your job. Do not get in any arguments with your co-workers or managers before you quit to avoid leaving a bad taste in anyone’s mouth, and maintain good performance at work as well. You never know if you may have to return to your previous employer, so aim to leave the door open.

Remember that quitting your job can be a complicated decision, so give yourself enough time to weigh your final choice. Protect yourself and secure new employment, or create an emergency savings fund, to avoid hardship. Be fully prepared before taking the plunge to make a successful transition into a new workforce.

Photo courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Nancy Anderson • Jan 25, 2015

It is very difficult being in a job where you are constantly berated or made to feel like less than a person. @John, if your boss is constantly cursing at you - I believe that is is up to you to change that. Make a formal appointment with your boss and sit down and talk to him calmly. This will be a good wage to gauge whether or not you really want to stay in the job. Personally speaking, I would never tolerate a boss that curses at me or otherwise. It's a place of work, not a locker room. If you can't get any satisfaction through a one-on-one meeting, you can turn him into HR or discuss it with his supervisor if that's possible. Or you can start looking for another job. Just remember - never burn bridges. Take a look at Michael's comment that, even after being fired, the boss hired him back. Another case of never burn your bridges because you never know what the future will bring. The boss you have today could be gone tomorrow. So the decision is up to you - take it, take action or walk. It's unfortunate when you are working in a toxic environment like that. I wish you all the best. And Michael - thanks for your comments.

Michael C. • Jan 24, 2015

Conditions leading to 'walking out', rarely afford the opportunity to follow John K's advice, but that doesn't make it invalid! I've walked out on more than one abusive or offensive employer, and from experience, I have to say, even in the heat of the moment, if you commit personally to every act reflecting your 'Best', inasmuch as possible, you will find that even in those situations, your style and panache can go far toward helping you get past that 'bump'...

Obviously, you're not likely to seek a reference from such an employer, but I've found that learning (yes, it's a trainable skill) how to tell a boss to 'go to h&ll' in such a way that they happily ask directions, goes a long way toward maintaining a smooth career history...!!

Of course, this is just my opinion, but it is based on over 30 years work experience in over a dozen fields, during which, I've only been actually fired once, and that was actually due to an irreconcilable accounting error...!! I should note that said employer also rehired me a couple of years later!!

Kelvin B. • Jan 24, 2015

Right John. This is the real world

john m. • Jan 24, 2015

this is good advice if all is good but what nif your boss constantly curses at you and you get mad and walk out ?

Tips for Quitting Your Job

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