When to Leave a Job and How to Do It? (Tips for 2022)

According to Forbes, you’ll never be paid what you’re worth by staying with the same company. So the question is, when to quit your job, and how to do it?

The best time to leave your current job is when you already have a signed contract with another company, to work in a better working environment with a higher salary. You do it by giving 2 weeks notice, acting courteously, and leaving on good terms.

Additionally, you could leave if you’re simply financially covered for the next few months, but the best option is always to look for new opportunities while you have a job, because it’s much more difficult to find a job while unemployed.

Leaving a comfortable job may not be the easiest thing you can do, but regularly testing yourself against the market is one of the most important things every employee should do.

When Do You Know It’s Time to Leave a Job?

It can be daunting just thinking about leaving a long term job, but it’s all about you trying to find better options for yourself. When you decide to change jobs it may already be too late. The highest earners out there always have their resumes ready, and interview at least 2-3 times every year.

Always be looking for opportunities. If you can’t get an interview, you should work on your resume or outreach. If you can’t pass the interview, you should work on your skills. Sometimes, it can take a long time to hear back after an interview, so make sure you’re financially covered for a few months at least.

If you only get low offers, then it’s a sign that you’re already paid well for your current job. If you can get better offers, now you have options to choose from. Don’t wait until the company lays you off or goes under before you start looking. Always keep testing yourself against the market.

Keep in mind that the moment you give notice, you’re basically unemployed and your income is limited. So it’s always best to search for jobs way before you quit, to reduce your stress, find good offers, and always have a regular income.

Should you quit if you don’t get a raise at your current job?

If you ask for a raise after a year and don’t get one, while being a good employee, then you should be looking for a new job. Loyalty is rarely rewarded in today’s market. Switching jobs allows you not only to increase your salary but your benefits too. 

You don’t have to quit, but there’s nothing preventing you from looking for other opportunities. If you really want to stay, you could ask for some specific milestones you need to reach to qualify for a raise.

Should you quit your job if you’re unhappy?

Feeling unhappy at your job is one of the good reasons to quit your job, but you’re the only one who can judge whether you should do it. You should only do it if you’re somewhat covered financially for a couple of months as you look for a new job.

A bad working environment, unfulfilling and boring jobs can cause anxiety and will damage your mental state. They can affect your work/life balance negatively, cause depression and make you miserable long term.

However, you should always plan your future carefully, and never make an abrupt decision to quit, especially while you’re angry.

Should you quit a job you hate without another job lined up?

If you can manage financially for a few months (6 ideally) then you’re probably ready to turn in that notice. In general, you should never leave your current job without having a signed offer from another employer, but if you must leave then make sure you’re covered financially for a couple of months.

How long should you stay at a job you hate?

The best advice is to stay with it for as long as you can manage until you can find some acceptable job, or until you can quit but you’re financially covered for at least several months while you’re transitioning into a new company.

Should you quit if you hate your job but make good money?

In general, it’s better to leave the job that you hate, but sometimes working through a bad job that pays significantly more makes for a more pleasant living standard at home. If you can manage the stress you can exploit this situation.

The way to exploit this is to consider your current job as something you can quit at any time. If you know that your worst-case scenario is that you’ll be forced out of this job that you don’t really want anyways, then you won’t have much to worry about on a daily basis. 

When to Leave a Job You Love?

It’s easy to go from bad to a good job, but it’s very difficult to go from a good job to a great job. If you really love your current job, it’s usually best to stay, because it’s extremely risky to leave a job you love, especially for the money. 

To decide when to leave and should you leave a job you love, you need to ask yourself how much are you willing to put up with regarding the change, risk, time, and stress? Unless you can definitely come back if you hate the new job, think hard about moving away from the job you love.

How to leave a job you love?

Be respectful, give 2 weeks notice, and tell your employer that you’d like to make the transition period easier for everyone. Keep in contact with your coworkers, do a nice exit interview, and leave on good terms. 

They may ask you what they can do to keep you, and similar stuff. It’s not a big deal, you’re not the first person to leave the company, and you won’t be the last. Your company will survive without you.

Preparing for a Job Change

Networking and Job Searching

Networking and job searching go hand in hand. It’s important to build relationships with people in your industry, attend relevant events, and join professional groups.

The more people you know, the more opportunities you’ll be exposed to. Reach out to your network when you’re looking for a new job, ask for referrals, and keep an eye on job boards.

When job searching, make sure your resume is up to date and tailored for the job you want. Research companies you’re interested in, read reviews, and follow them on social media. When you apply for a job, customize your cover letter and follow up with the hiring manager if you don’t hear back within a week.

Managing Work-Life Balance

It’s easy to get caught up in work and forget about the other parts of your life. Managing work-life balance is crucial for maintaining good mental health and avoiding burnout.

Set boundaries between work and personal time, and stick to them. Don’t bring work home with you, and don’t check your work email during your personal time.

Take breaks throughout the day to refresh your mind and prevent fatigue. Make time for hobbies, exercise, and spending time with friends and family.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, talk to your supervisor about adjusting your workload or consider seeking professional help. Remember that taking care of yourself is just as important as being productive at work.

Should you accept the counteroffer from your current company?

When you turn in your resignation letter, your company might come back with a counteroffer. Keep in mind that if you accept it, you’ll be put in a weaker position in the company. This might just be a way for the company to keep you around until they find a replacement to let you go.

Should you leave your job for another offer?

Leaving a job for another opportunity is a complex decision that depends on working conditions, the existence of upward mobility in your next company, the pay raise, travel requirements, and whether you value stability or moving upward. 

You should never leave a job for promises until you have a signed contract. Recruiters may promise anything, but nothing is certain until you’ve signed it. You should also never stay based simply on promises for future raises.

Your new job transition may be stressful, and it will take time to adapt and settle in, so make sure you give it enough time before thinking of changing jobs again.

How much salary increase should you ask for the new job?

The typical salary increase when switching jobs will depend mostly on whether you like your current job or not. If you like your current job and have a good work/life balance and a great future, then you may want to ask about a 30 to 50% of salary increase. 

If you’re neutral about your current job, then you can go for a 10% increase. And if you’re about to quit because you hate your job, then it’s reasonable to even take a small pay cut.

The Quitting Process

How to give your 2 weeks notice?

Make your two weeks notice short and simple, with the date you’re turning it in. Start on a positive note, say that you’ll be resigning, that you won’t be available after a certain date, and you thank them for the experience and the opportunity. 

Be prepared for the possibility of being immediately let go and escorted out of the building with no guarantee that you’ll get paid the severance. This isn’t always the case (especially outside the US) but it may happen in the US.

What to say when you quit your job?

Simply tell your boss that you decided to leave. If they ask you can tell them it’s nothing against them or the company. Tell them you simply want to try a different thing, or that another company is a big name, or something else. Thank them, and say that you’ll be providing a customary two-week notice.

The best way to tell your employer you’re quitting is face to face, so they’re not blindsided, but you can also do it over a video call. Try to ‘schedule a video call first, then follow up with an email. An email serves as the official notice that just restates what you said.

How to leave a job on good terms?

To leave a company on good terms you should have a resignation letter ready with a proposed last date of employment, and a two weeks notice. Thank your boss for their leadership and say that you’d like to work towards a smooth transition.

This allows you to leave the job gracefully, where you’ll remain in good standing with your boss. This may also allow you to get a reference from your employer for a new job. Just give your notice, and be respectful.

Is it okay to quit a job over the phone?

It’s never a good idea to quit a job over the phone, and not just because it’s bad etiquette. A phone call could not be acknowledged, or your boss could pretend they didn’t receive it. You want documentation and proof, so you should do it face to face or through a video call.

After Quitting Your Job

Is it okay to leave a job after a short time?

It’s not a big deal to leave a job after 3 or 6 months, as long as you don’t have a history of short jobs on your resume. However, you can just omit the job from your resume, if you think that might work better.

Keep in mind that having employment gaps might affect your success in getting employed again.

What is the best day to resign?

When resigning in the US, you want to make sure that your final day falls on the first day of the new month. Typically, in the US you maintain your insurance until the end of the month. As for the best weekday, it doesn’t really matter.

As long as you’re giving your employer two weeks notice so that you’re not leaving them in a bind, it doesn’t matter much to them when you leave. They’ll have time to find a replacement and adjust, which helps the transition.

FAQ

Do you need a reason to quit your job?

You don’t need a reason to quit your job, nor are you required to explain it to your current employer. If you want to leave on good terms though, you can just give them a generic reason such as “looking for something different” or “moving to a big company”. You don’t have to reveal the company though.

Is it bad to quit your job?

Quitting your job is only a bad thing if you don’t have another job lined up and no income, or if you’re leaving a job you love while getting a pay cut from the new company. In almost all other circumstances, it’s not so bad to leave your job for a better opportunity. 

Should you feel guilty for leaving a job?

Even if you feel needed or irreplaceable, do not feel you have to stay when better opportunities come up. There’s no reason to feel like a bad person for applying for jobs because most companies will drop you in a second if it makes business sense to do so. People leaving is a normal part of a company’s operation.

Can you quit your job without giving notice?

In the US, you can quit without giving notice, but you should also consider the bridge burned, and your future interactions with this employer. Two weeks notice is a courtesy, not a requirement, but it’s almost always better to give the notice.

How do you tell your boss you quit without notice?

Start by telling your boss how the job isn’t workout out for you, tell them you’re resigning from the position effective immediately, and also thank them for the opportunity. That’s it.