So, you hate your job? You have nightmares about work? You hide from your boss? You avoid your coworkers? You cannot wait for the weekend. You think of excuses not to go back to the office? You are miserable? You are bored? You are frustrated? You should probably quit.
Here?s (http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2012/01/why_you_wont_quit_your_job.html?cm_sp=blog_flyout-_-cs-_-why_you_wont_quit_your_job) some insight into why you may not quit.
Even the thought of being unemployed can be a scary idea for us. Going to the office everyday (even if you hate it) gives us a sense of purpose and function in life, creating stability for ourselves and those around us. If you really hate your job, what are your plans after quitting?
It is important to consider the situation you will be in once you quit and how you would like to improve it. Perhaps you are ready for a career change, to go back to school, a move to a new city or country, time to travel. If you are thinking about quitting you should have a plan or at least some idea of what actions you will take next. You also must consider what you can afford, how long can you go without a new salary. Take a look at some job boards and see what kind of positions you are interested in might be available. How soon could you be employed again? There is lots to consider and it can be stressful. Here are a few tips for the process.
Before you quit:
· Dust off your CV, open your LinkedIn profile and just take a look to start to improve both. Delete something, add something, write something about yourself and your goals for the future.
· Develop your Network, get in touch with old contacts, send a few emails, ask about their pets/kids/spouse, invite one or two to coffee. Make sure you contact information (email addresses & phone numbers) are up to date.
Quitting! There are a few things to consider when quitting. The most important thing to keep in mind is that you never know where life will end up and one day you might need your colleagues or boss (that you hate).
· If you start the job hunt before you leave your old job you must do it on your own time, from your own email, in private.
· Tell the boss! Face to face, make an appointment, sit down and explain that you are quitting, be polite, say you learned something (or something nice). The boss should be the first to know, from your own mouth.
o Do not brag to coworkers. Do not leave them all your unfinished work in a mess. They will remember if you dumped a mess of work on them and one day it could haunt you.
o Label your projects and files. Write down passwords, important contacts and clear instructions. Offer to train your replacement.
· It is also customary to hand in a formal letter of resignation with the date you are resigning to your manager after your meeting.
· After you quit, you may have more time at the office before you are finally free. Do not slack off. Come in on time, leave on time. Do your work the way you always have. Do not show up late, dressed for the beach and then leave early (I know it?s my dream too, but do not do it).
· Now that you have quit, do not tell everyone how much you hate them, do not tell other people how much you hate your coworkers or manager or boss. (Do NOT discuss how much you hate your last job in an interview.)
Now what? So you quit! You?re free! You?ve got all this time! What to do?
· Get in touch with a reference or mentor. Invite them to coffee. Talk about life. Let them know what you?re up to.
· Go to that yoga/photography/cooking/ceramics class you?ve been dreaming of. Start training for a marathon. Find a hobbie! Do something fun, just for you.
· Make a list of goals for your new job, new career or next move. Make some goals for your life. Be realistic. Be specific.
· Dream! Dream big! Remember that childhood dream? Write it down. Make a long list. Draw pictures on it. See if you can put something from your dream list on your goal list. Put your lists on the fridge or the mirror where you?ll see them.
· Keep busy! Cook for friends or family. Exercise, even if you only go for a short walk. Do something you love. Write it down. Keep a journal. Check in with me, Head Hunter in the Jungle, for job search tips and how to stay on track.