You have done everything you can to make your current job situation work. The problem is, your job is just not working for you. There are situations in the workplace that are difficult–and sometimes downright impossible–to solve! You don’t want to simply give up on a position because it is difficult, but in the end you need to do what is best for you and take care of yourself. Here are a few of the situations that may encourage you to quit your job:
- The company is losing money and customers rapidly or steadily over time.
- You have a bad relationship with your manager that cannot be helped.
- You have had a major life change (you got married, you are moving away, etc)
- You no longer believe in the philosophy or the goals of the company.
- You stopped enjoying your job.
- The management is disrespectful to you or others.
- You have had significant trouble with your co-workers.
- Your job has become so stressful that you are losing your mental health.
- You want to move on to another job for more opportunities or responsibilities.
Each of these situations is serious enough for you to consider or continue a job search. You have the ability to make a plan and change your job. You are never stuck in one job if you do not choose to be. You deserve to feel great about your work and to work in an environment that benefits you. If you decide it is worth quitting your job, there are four things for you to remember so that you leave the company on a good note. These four things are:
- Give enough notice
- Do not burn any bridges
- Help with the transition
- Thank your employer for the experience and opportunity
Give enough notice
Never give notice to a company that you are quitting until after you have received or accepted a formal job offer. After you accept another job, a general rule is to give at least two weeks’ notice for quitting your current job. This gives the employer time to interview and find a replacement for you.
You may give more than two weeks’ notice. It depends on the environment in which you work, your job responsibilities, and what the management is like at your current company.
Do not burn any bridges
You want to leave your company on a good note. You may need a letter of recommendation from your past employer in order to get another job in the future, or your future employer may want to call your past employers to find out about you. In any case, you don’t want to leave the company with a bad impression of you.
Make sure that you give proper notice when quitting your job. If you don’t, you may put the company in a tough position and your boss may not have good things to say about you. Also, make sure that you quit your job respectfully. You may write your boss a polite letter stating the reasons that you are moving on to a new job. Make sure that these reasons are appropriate and make sense. Do not claim, for example, that you are leaving because your mom thinks you should!
Help with the transition
This is an important part of your letter and of leaving the company. You want to remain helpful to the company and ease their transition to a new employee. It not only helps the company, but helps you to be a helpful professional. Make sure that you not only offer the help, but you actually follow through on it. This is one important way in which you don’t burn any bridges.
Thank your employer for the experience and opportunity
No matter what the experience you had at the job, it is polite to recognize that the company did hire you as the best person for the position. You may or may not have had the best experience at the company over time, but in the end, the company did give you valuable experience and the opportunity to grow as a professional.
You may not feel like saying thank you to your employer, especially if you have been miserable at the job and cannot wait to leave. It is always best to swallow your pride and say thank you anyway. Try to think of the positives of the job and what you are able to take away from it. After all, each job opportunity is a learning experience and can help you find another job.
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