Could Be Quittin' Time

If you're in a job where you feel underpaid, underutilized, unsupported, or even if you just don't like what you do, I am here to tell you that quitting is an option. This may sound obvious, but for many, quitting isn't so simple, and generally speaking, it's because people don't know how to go about it, which can be intimidating. While I have only quit from a handful of jobs in my life personally, over my last 8 years in staffing, I have navigated countless candidates, and at times friends, through the murky waters of quitting their jobs, and I hope to share some of what I have learned with anyone trying to do the same. If you've thought about leaving your current role, but aren't sure if it's the right decision for you, here's some things you can take a look at to decide if it is the right call to make, as well as some advice on how to go about it.

Make a Budget

Before saying goodbye to your employer, keep in mind that you are also saying goodbye to your paycheck. If you don't already have a new position lined up, you'll need to asses your savings and understand how long you can make it without money coming in, and what you will need to make in your new role. The "2 weeks notice" enforced by some employers will give you a bit of a buffer, but there are those that escort you out same day, so be prepared for that and expect to eat-in for a while. Making a budget can also have an impact on your potential as a candidate to new employers. In recruiting, there are an unfortunate amount of candidates that agree to be submitted at a given number, only to ask for more money in the end, and that rarely ends well for anyone involved...knowing what you need, and asking for a fair number, will help you stand your ground in negotiations, and without overvaluing yourself as an individual, you won't run the risk of turning off potential employers. Don't be afraid to say goodbye if you can afford it, just make sure you can before you do!

LinkedIn vs Resume

Your most powerful tools for landing a new position in today's job market are your LinkedIn profile, and your resume. Though they are similar, there are some distinct differences to consider, and having them dialed AHEAD of quitting will make sure that your time between roles doesn't last long. If you've never made a LinkedIn before, or if you have but aren't sure if you are utilizing it properly, you can think of it as your professional social media profile. In another piece I wrote, How To: LinkedIn, I go over more of my tricks for building your LinkedIn, but the key here is that it should be clean, and it should only include your professional highlights. Ideally, you'll want to ensure that all your jobs have associated company logos, you have a professional picture, and that all your dates are accurate. Your LinkedIn is the good looking profile that gets you into the interview room, which sets up your resume to show the interviewers everything they will need to determine your suitability for the position. And when it comes to the resume, while you will want to be detailed about your experiences, use the resume as a way to spark conversations in your interviews. Including information about special projects, significant achievements, and highly relatable responsibilities will be certain to peak an interviewers interests, and will only increase your chances of landing the job.

Know Your Wants

When it comes to your job there are a lot of factors that make it "good" or "bad". The primary factor for a long time has been money for most people, but especially in the post-Covid market, things like remote flexibility, PTO, health benefits, and even a company's social impact, have all had a larger involvement in the decision making process for candidates. As a recruiter, acting as the middle-man in many of these situations, identifying the true needs, and wants, of a candidate is crucial in ensuring you match them with the right role. The hiring process comes with enough steps of its own, so adding additional stages for qualifying wants doesn't do anyone any good. If you are a candidate, whether you're working with a recruiter or directly with potential employers, be certain to get your priorities in order before starting the process, and be open to sacrificing in some areas if the company is willing to give in others. With the changes to the market, hiring has been affected immensely, and companies have had to be willing to negotiate to get the top talent they seek, but the trick is, you can only come to terms with someone who knows what they want.

I know that this isn't life-changing advice coming out of this piece, but if nothing else, I hope that it either taught you something new, or reinforced what you already know. Quitting isn't easy, and sometimes it just takes a bit of encouragement to take the leap. Especially if you are in a job that drives you mad, sometimes saying goodbye can be the best option. You don't have to love what you do for work, but I certainly don't think it should be so acceptable for it to make you miserable either.