Getting itchy feet? According to research from the UK, 31 January is the most popular day to resign.

It makes sense, summer holidays are over and the reality of another year of doing the same ol’ thing kicks in.

But there’s a difference between having a few ‘off days’ at work and being chronically unhappy. Everyone has low vibe days and part of being a professional is having the staying power to ride them out.

However, being consistently unhappy at work is bad for you.  At best, it makes you lose focus and productivity, at worst, it causes chronic stress, impacts on relationships, and makes you sick.

So, is it time to quit? Before you make that choice, I recommend you evaluate your job using these simple questions.

Is my boss showing interest in my career development?

My clients often complain to me that their employer doesn’t provide the fundamental tools to enhance their career.

Some companies encourage employees to set goals and progress their career within the company but some ignore their staff and hope they’ll keep on producing output, year in, year out, without any support.

Your career development plan with your employer should include:

  • Quarterly career development meetings
  • Discussing areas for improvement
  • Continuous education
  • Mentor program with experienced colleagues

If you believe there is no opportunity to progress at work, then it’s time to start searching for a new job.

Is this a great place to work? 

Let’s face it. Some workplaces turn a blind eye to an unhealthy culture. A work environment where office gossip, harassment or unprofessional behaviour is accepted can prevent you from experiencing high levels of job satisfaction. Unless you’re in a leadership position, it can be hard to bring about change in this type of culture. If your workplace is toxic and there’s no change on the horizon, it’s time to leave.

Is the company is growing?

Growing companies are often happy companies and happy companies usually have happy employees. When companies grow, they’re more likely to invest in people, training, systems, provide career development programs and offer bonuses for high performance. In this environment, most employees feel there are plenty of chances to advance their career.

But not everyone enjoys change. If you feel unhappy working in a high growth, high performance culture then you need to consider if you are a good fit for the business.

When a company regularly announces negative cash flow, missed targets, is laying off staff and its long-term growth looks unachievable then it may be a good idea to leave and protect your entitlements.

What stage of my career am I at?

The reality is many employees outgrow their positions at work.  There could be for many reasons for this. However, before you make the decision to quit you should think about:

  • the opportunities in other parts of the business
  • what development opportunities exist for you where you are
  • your age and level of experience
  • the value you could bring to another business
  • the state of the employment market

As much as quitting may feel good it can very quickly turn into a bad decision if you can find immediate employment.

Is my health being affected?

If your job is making you sick then it is a “no brainer”, you need to get out of there.  Nothing should come before your health. You can find another job but there’s no quick fix for your well-being.

What to consider before quitting

To quit or not to quit your job is a very serious decision and there are many things you need to think about.  Before making such a serious a decision, consider talking to a professional career coach.

What I can do is help you discover new insights about what is making you unhappy at work, suggest alternative ways of dealing with your unhappiness, and help you make the right decision for you.  Most importantly, I will help you avoid falling into the same traps by finding the right job to suit you.

If you are considering quitting your job, then I encourage you to first book a Career Breakthrough Conversation. Talk to me about your career, your dream job and whether quitting is the right move for you.

Further Reading:

Our most recent blog I hate my job – what should I do?