Quitting a job is not easy, quite number of things should be taken into perspective before you tell your boss you are hanging your boots. Nowadays, few people stay at the same work place for their entire lives. As such, the issue of quitting a job is an aspect that most people are likely to face at some point in their lives. Such decisions can open up a whole lot of new possibilities and opportunities as well as close the door on some potentially undesirable working environments, making room for a fresh start and a much-needed change of scenery.
Such decisions shouldn’t be taken lightly without proper planning for what comes next. Before quitting your job, it’s significant to deliberate a few aspects of your decision to make sure that you’re making the right one, as well as to secure your future career as well as your financial security. Below is what you ought to do before you quit your job:
1. Ask yourself why you want to quit
This question appears so simple but many people may fail to answer it. It’s vital to ask yourself what is it that makes you want to quit your job.
It is advised that you speak to your boss about things that are bothering you before you quit. You can take a sabbatical rather than quit outright.
2. Establish a financial safety net
Quitting a job means the company that you worked for will automatically cut all it’s finances that are directed towards you. As such, it is necessary that you make sure you have enough resources to that will sustain you until you find your next job. The situation can be complicated if you have a family that depends on you; it’s advised that you should quit your job when you have enough savings to sustain you for a year.
3. Do the math
Conduct a few calculations bent on determining the size of your safety net. Firstly, take stock of any passive income you might be receiving over and above your current salary. Sources of passive income might include things like interest on bank accounts or investments.
“The city is not a concrete jungle, it is a human zoo.” – Desmond Morris
At the same time, make the effort to track your spending over a period of a few months to find out your average monthly expenses. By balancing the two out, you can get a good idea of your cash flow and figure out how financially safe it is for you to leave your job.
4. Determine what you want to do next
This is another question that demands a thoughtful answer when you’re considering quitting your job. When you quit your job without carefully considering what you to do afterwards can create so many problems, you will soon realize you have a lot of time on your hands, but very little idea of what to do with it.
It can assist to compose a list of the interests or goals you want to pursue once your current job is out of the way. It’s worthwhile having several options rather than just one, to allow for the many unpredictable aspects of life that can end up pushing you in one direction or another
5. Choose the right time to quit
It’s significant to allow more weight to timing in this regard, it’s advised to make a perfect timing when it comes to quoting a job.
The worst time to quit is generally towards the end of the year, why; because many companies rarely hire in December. Walking away before the close of the business year also means that you will not receive any potential bonuses or even promotions that may be in store.
6. Look at your options
If your idea of quitting your job lies in securing another job, it’s advised that you compile a list of potential employers who are likely to hire you. Conduct some research on various job descriptions, salary expectations, and other relevant aspects of your target jobs can also assist to spell out your options.
7. Increase your visibility
You have to put in the needed effort to make yourself stand out from everyone thus increasing your chances of finding employment in the job of your choice.
Update and refine your entire profile online professional networks such as LinkedIn, this can be of great use, let alone engaging in a bit of good old-fashioned networking in person. A little volunteer work in a relevant setting can also be a good way of showing your worth without having to make any commitments right away.
8. Remain positive
Once you have thought through all the various technical and practical considerations involved in quitting your job, the only thing left to do is put your best foot forward, trust in your decisions and your instincts, and maintain a positive attitude about your new life and your career path in general – even if things don’t go entirely according to plan.
Wherever possible, make sure you leave on good terms with your former employers and colleagues, as you never know when you might be able to help each other again in the future.