Let’s face it – most of us, on more than one occasion, have had fleeting thoughts of throwing in the towel. The crazy workload, bad clash with your boss, and tight deadlines have caused us to perhaps badly want to leave our job – but when do you really know that it’s time to call it quits?
With the increasing impact of a volatile global economy, organizations are driven to make radical changes to their workforce due to rising industry demands, inevitably pushing employees to the wall. While business articles today preach about the general signs that one should look for when considering quitting a job, many employees still struggle to make that judgment call, while others have unfortunately regretted their decisions.
Quitting a job is no small decision; it is not something we may easily retract like we do when we return a shopping purchase. Hence, with a decision so significant, it is essential that one thoroughly evaluates all alternatives critically.
Here are four questions that you should ask yourself to help you better evaluate your decision:
- Are the reasons for quitting your job valid?Sometimes, thoughts about leaving a job may be an emotional manifestation of an imminent burnout, or merely from a trivial misunderstanding. These might, however, not be objective representations of what you are really experiencing at work. Work woes are bound to happen – even in a new job – so take time to think rationally and try new ways to deal with problems before you make any rash decisions. You may even gain new perspectives that can help you to cope better with the challenges that you are facing.
- Have you had a heart-to-heart discussion with your current boss?The obstacle that impedes happiness at work is usually miscommunication. If you feel that your learning has come to a plateau, or that the job scope appears narrow and overly demanding to you, your boss may have solutions or intentions that you are not aware of. It is only through transparency will you truly know if your boss is genuinely there for you, so give them the benefit of the doubt. This would help you make your decision more effectively.
- Has your current work situation gotten out of hand?Many employees are feeling the stress of having to deal with so many stressors at work, such as dealing with a demanding boss, having a heavy workload, or working in a highly political environment. While demonstrating resilience is a virtue that allows one to mature and develop your innate competencies in tough times, it is important to be honest about the stress that is affecting you. If your physical and mental well-being and relationships with loved ones are truly suffering, having a break from work is sometimes a better option.
- Are you being realistic when evaluating another job offer?Oftentimes, when we are so overwhelmed by our negativity towards our current job, it is easy to imagine that the next job would be free of them. Remember, business challenges are everywhere; there is no one job that is free from manpower restructures and people who will antagonize you. Be very sure what you are getting yourself into, and that includes knowing more about the team dynamics, nuances, and cultural settings of the new employment. Moving on may not necessarily mean that things will get better. Don’t get me wrong here –¬ if any of the red flags above rings true, it is indeed time to make the exit and look for greener pastures. However, regardless of your reasons, quitting your job should not be the first solution that comes to mind. And if it is truly the last resort, you would have at least weighed out your options entirely, and without regrets.
You have the power to make changes for yourself through developing good coping strategies for workplace stressors. Should your reasons not justify your decision to quit, it is time to break that habit of resentment and make better use of the time spent on negative thoughts to seek new ways in becoming more fulfilled at work. Good luck!
If you wish to discuss more insights on HR recruitment, please contact Chris Lui at chris.lui@cornerstoneglobalpartners.com.
