Setting Yourself on Fire: DOs & DONTs of Quitting your Job

One of the hardest decisions to make is to leave –  a relationship, a new pair of shoes, a job.

As 20somethings, we often find ourselves bouncing from company to company, hoping to eventually find our ‘fit’. What happens when we land a role that we thought would answer to all our worries, but it ends up leaving us unfulfilled?

Sometimes, the only thing we can do is to part ways.  

Here are some DO’s and DON’Ts of making your professional exit:

DO NOT tell your co-workers.  

I get it: The water cooler or Starbucks run opens up the chance to discuss how ready you are leave and how much better your new gig is going to be.

Hold onto your excitement, and realize that you never know where opportunities will take you. You might just be tap dancing back to your old employer one day. Save the egg for the plate (and not your face), and keep the news to yourself.

DO tell anyone who might be affected by your absence

If you do, however, have a roommate, spouse, or someone else who is dependent on your income – you have to discuss this huge life change with them (before doing it).

Do not surprise anyone who falls into any of those categories because their livelihood could be affected by it.

DO start examining a better fit.

Maybe you took this job because you thought it was a field you were actually interested in pursuing. Maybe you had bills to pay. Either way, before applying for a new job, take a second to examine what did/did not work so that you don’t end up in the same place again.

DON’T quit your current job until you have another one ready.

THIS IS THE NUMBER ONE MISTAKE! Unless you have the freedom of not needing any income, or even if you do, KEEP THE COINS FLOWING.

You will make a significantly better decision on your next step if you are not stressing over lack of income.

DON’T publish how horrible your job was.

We get it. The job sucked. Your co-workers were useless. You needed that promotion ten months ago. Social media, however, is just that: SOCIAL. Not to mention, new employers don’t take too kindly to you dragging another employer through the dirt. It just looks messy. Don’t ruin your chances with a new company by being salty about the previous one.

DO take action to ensure that you have a clean exit.

The best employer is someone who already knows you, and you never know what the future holds. Prevent having to tuck your tail between your legs later.

Leave the door open for you to have the option to come back, even if you never will. They can say bad things about you, but if your character and skill set is up to par, then you will soon have a new employer who will be able to counter any of those negative words.

Above all, we DO want you to find the balance between knowing your value and maintaining positive professional relationships. Take care of yourself, your coins, and always look forward. What is meant for you will never pass you by.

Written by: Rhonna Wade