“I really want to quit my job” – Here’s how to do it right

Thinking about quitting your job? I know how enticing it seems when you are dreading your work. Before you do any hasty decisions, please read on.

There are some important things to consider when quitting a job and you should not just storm out of the office doors banging. I know it can be hard when you are tired, stressed and angry to think about an exit strategy, but these things are crucial for your own well-being and future.

It’s important to have a plan and to keep your cool when planning to quit your job to not make any rushed decisions. It might be good time to also reflect on why you want to quit your job in the first place.

You might also feel like you are stuck in your situation and can’t see a way out. There are more options than you think, I promise you.

Read on for my tips on how to quit your job, the right way!

Think about why you want to quit your job

If you are seriously thinking about quitting your job, you should really take your time and think about why you want to quit. Is it the job description? The people? The hours? Maybe the long trips?

It’s important to understand what it is exactly you hate about your current situation so you don’t just end up in similar situation somewhere else, or even worse.

I would actually write a list about the things you hate or don’t like about your job or the situation it puts you in. I would then write positive things as well. So your typical pros and cons list.

If you for example realize you just don’t like the people at your job or that the way to work is too long it might be simply a question of finding a similar position closer somewhere else.

If on the other hand you hate the whole concept of working for others or the hours you are working it might be time to figure out something different like becoming self-employed.

Once you have a clear picture why you want to quit your job, it’s time to create an exit strategy.

Create an exit strategy

Here’s the thing. The economy has taken a dive globally and the competition on the job market has gotten tough. A college education doesn’t guarantee employment, it’s the base requirement these days.

That’s why it would be idiotic to quit your job without a having a plan B of some sort.

You need to be realistic about quitting a job. No matter how horrible your current job feels like I guarantee you that long time unemployment and living in debt sucks even more.

If you are a regular person you need an income. Period.

You have a few options when it comes to a contingency plan.

• Find a new more interesting job beforehand
• Return to studying (you have to think about income here. Student loan? Part time job?)
• Start your own business
• Live on savings
• Marry someone rich who’s willing to take care of you
• Have rich parents who are willing to support you financially
• Win the lottery
• Rob a bank

You get the drift. The couple first ones are realistic for most people but hey, you never know about the rest ;).

What ever your contingency plan is, you need to make it happen before you quit your job. If you just quit your job and then start working on your new plans you are going to end up stressed and struggling to survive.

You are in a much better position in the job market while being employed. People looking at applications always put the unemployed applicants in an own pile. It always causes the question of why haven’t you been able to keep a job?

Even If you decide to start a business and become self-employed it’s going to take time to start making money. It’s better to start that process while receiving a steady paycheck and quit only when you have a supplemental income.

Don’t burn any bridges

I know, I know. It would be freaking awesome to tell your boss you quit, tell him where to shove it and leave with doors banging.

Or tell the dickhead who’s been eating your lunch from the fridge every week, or the gossiping coffee room gang what you really think about them. But that’s not a wise idea.

Here’s why. I’m sure you’re familiar with the saying what comes around, goes around. If you are a bit older and have some life experience, you know this to be dauntingly true.

You just seem to bump into people from your past in the most unexpected situations. Sure, some go through life without experiencing this but they are just probably not paying attention.

I’m not a superstitious person by any means but some things in life make you wonder, you know? This is one of them.

I can’t count the times I’ve bumped into people at work that I have had trouble with in the past and thought I would never have to deal with again.

That’s why it’s extremely important to quit your job in professional and polite manner, no matter how rude the counterparts are. If your boss starts you yell at you or talk you down when you resign, just let it go past you. Be the bigger person.

Even when other people are rude to you and don’t seem to care about your feelings, they usually will not have hard feelings towards you in the future, if you maintain a calm and professional attitude.

Now I’m not saying to let anyone walk over you. You should always stand up for yourself. But be professional about it. Don’t yell, don’t talk trash or resort to violence. If someone is clearly out of line, go the official route. Press charges if need be.

If someone is being a dick you will always remember it. It is possible you will end up as their manager or business associate. Let others burn bridges, don’t do it yourself.

Update your resume and ask for recommendations

If you maintain good relations with your current employer it’s easier to get good recommendations. These are vital for future employment so now is a good time to update your resume. Once you have quit your job, ask for recommendations and a proof of employment for future use.

You might think you don’t need these now, but all work experience is valuable. Even if you decide to start a business of your own, you never now how things turn out. You might be looking for work some time in the future.

If you won’t ask for recommendations and a reference letter when you resign, you might not get them later on. Your boss might resign or the company can go bankrupt. You never know. It’s only wise to get proof of employment, even if you will never end up using it.

In my experience employers value nothing more than great recommendations from previous employers so it’s important to get these and keep them in a safe place. This is one reason you should always avoid burning bridges with your previous employers. Negative word gets around even faster.

My recommendation

I recommend creating an online business while holding you current job. It takes very little financial investment but requires some time and money to get things rolling. It’s much easier to start a successful business online when you have a steady income. It also helps to endure your job to know you are working on a way out.

Even if you have a professional career you want to continue somewhere else, it would be wise to have a supplemental income that is not dependent on an employer. This stuff is great for that too.

If you want to find more about starting an online business and working from home I recommend you check out these two posts:

How to start making money online at home

Is Wealthy Affiliate a scam?

Conclusion

There you have it. My tips for what to do when you want to quit your job. If you are interested in finding ways out of the rat race, remember to bookmark my site and browse through my other posts. You just might find something that interests you.

If you have any questions or want to share your own frustrations about your job you want to quit, please share them below. I will offer my sympathy, if nothing else :).