Career Tips

Three Questions To Ask Yourself If You’re Thinking About Quitting Your Job

New year, new job is the tune most people start to sing around this time of year.

And while I’m the number one advocate for leveling up and going after the life and career you deserve, the job hunt is not for the doubtful or uncertain.

When you’re not sure whether you should stick it out or run for the hills, you end up with one foot in and one foot out: kind of trying to impress your boss and kind of searching around for something better – that limbo dance is rarely ever effective.

So, before your write down, “Get new job” on your New Year’s resolution list, it’s worth asking yourself these three questions so that you can go into your job hunt 100% committed, without any hesitation.

The right questions to ask before you start your job hunt.

1. Have I stayed at this company long enough to make an impact?

How long have you been working there? Have you been there long enough to make a difference? Have you given yourself enough time to rack up accomplishments or deliver results? Have you developed all the skills you need to succeed in your position?

It’s easy to want to jump ship the moment you feel unhappy or dissatisfied at work. But, if you were to update your resume today with your current position, would you be able to relay the achievements and contributions you’ve made in your position thus far?

If the answer is no, you’ve probably haven’t been in your position long enough. Or, quite frankly, you probably haven’t done enough.

Especially if you desire to land a more senior position in your current industry, you can’t attain more, if you haven’t developed and refined your skills at your current level.

If you know you haven’t made the most out of your current position, it may be time to shift your perspective. Instead of focusing on the exit sign, start evaluating the components that you need to improve and look for ways to develop in those areas, then focus on doing those things consistently and effectively. Search for ways that you can make a difference. Take initiative. Work on creating a list of achievements you can add to your resume so that when you do leave, you can have something to show for your experience.

However, if you’ve been at your company for some time, if you can count on your fingers and toes the results you’ve brought to the table, and if you’ve started to take on responsibilities outside of the scope of your current position, then these may be signs that you’re ready to switch gears and start your job hunt, especially if you’re itching to do something else.

2. Is there still room for me to grow at this company?

Is there a promotion on the horizon? Does that promotion excite you? On a scale of 1-10, how certain are you that you can land that promotion, considering your skill set, accomplishments, office politics, and other formal and informal rules and circumstances? Do you like the career path that senior leaders and others have taken in your company to get to where they are today?

If there’s still room for you to grow in your company in a way that excites you and empowers you to become your best self, then rather than scrolling through Indeed on your lunch break, it may be worth going above and beyond to pursue that path.

This could mean seeking that promotion or going after a lateral move – a position with the same or similar title and salary, on a different team or in a different department in the company.

However, if your company is ridden with office politics, favoritism, and other things that leave a funny feeling in your stomach, then it may be time to consider other avenues for growth, at a different company.

Even more so, if you’ve reached the point where you can say, “Yes, I may be able to grow here, but I’m not happy with my career and would rather do something else,” don’t hold on to what’s no longer for you. Start your job search in pursuit for something better.

3. Does this company and position still align with the career goals I have for myself?

 

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