7 Important questions to ask yourself before quitting your job

7 Important questions to ask yourself before moving on from your job

Lim Han

08 May 2017

1/7
Am I enjoying myself?
Do you find satisfaction and joy in what you’re doing? Or, do you wake up every morning drenched in dread and weariness? Taking pleasure in what you do is a vital factor in determining your career choice. As Confucius said, “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” So, if your paycheck is the only thing tying you to this job, then it’s best to just let it go. Do you really want to reach the end of your career life drowning in cash but wallowing in discontentment?
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Have I taken every action to make this job experience the best for myself?
Whether it’s an unbearable workload or a difficult colleague, more often than not, there’s always a way to make things better. For instance, if you struggle to complete your daily work, how about altering your schedule or trying out foods that boost productivity? Or, if you’re experiencing unwanted friction with your workmate, try talking it out with him/her to see if you can resolve the situation. If the other party is unwilling, have a discussion with your superior to see if he/she can ensure minimal work contact between the both of you. Ultimately, a positive attitude and open mind is key to creating an impeccable job experience for yourself.
3/7
Have I consulted the people around me?
Yes, we know it’s your job and you have your rights. But, sometimes, the onlookers have a clearer picture of the situation than the person actually involved. The people around you, say, your spouse or parents, may possess greater wisdom and experience when it comes to this situation. Who knows - their advice may come in extremely handy and may even alleviate this problem. But, even if they don’t, I’m sure they wouldn’t be too thrilled to find out that you made this decision on your own without at least informing them first.
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Have I been in this position for too long?
You can’t stay there forever. But depending on your position, the duration in which most people stay varies. Do a quick check with anyone who had recently been promoted out of your current job or your firm’s HR to get a rough gauge of the typical duration one usually remains in that particular position. If you feel like your career has been stagnant for too long, maybe it’s time to sit down with your boss to talk to him/her about your long-term plans for career growth and development.
5/7
Am I ready for a new position?
It’s one thing to know whether it’s time to quit your job but it’s another thing to know if you’re prepared for a new one. If you’re eyeing a higher position or a completely new one, take some time to reflect on whether you’re physically and mentally ready for this next step. We’re not just referring to your level of expertise and knowledge here. This is also concerning the various changes you may experience in different aspects of your life - your social life may need to take a backseat and you have may have to get used to working with a different group of people. Can you handle that?
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Do I have enough in the bank to cover me?
Unless you’re leaping into a new job opening, quitting your job entails an inevitable period of seeking and waiting. As we’re sure you’re very familiar with, resume submissions and interviews take up a sizable and unpredictable amount of time. And, of course, you will need sufficient financial reserves to tide you over during this uncertain period. So, before you call it quits, ensure that your bank account is ready to do so too.
7/7
How will I explain this to my future bosses?
Don’t be surprised if, at your future job interview, your potential boss inquires about the quitting of your previous job. Employers are always concerned about their potential employee’s career history, for fear of unwanted characters such as job-hoppers or unmotivated workers. So, if you decide to quit, it’s best that you have a valid explanation to give your future superior for doing so.

Torn between staying at and leaving your job? These 7 questions you should ask yourself may just ease your dilemma.

Have you been clenching firmly onto that resignation letter or hesitating to click the “Send” button on your carefully crafted resignation email? If so, you might want to take a step back first. As your job determines what you’ll be doing, where you’ll be and who you’ll be interacting with for eight hours a day, five days a week, you might want to seriously think through your decision first. Quitting your job is no trivial matter – it entails major impacts, both good and bad, on yourself and your future job prospects.

Whether it’s your current job situation or your next career plan, there are a myriad of factors you should be taking into consideration before you throw in the towel and call it quits. We’ve come up with 7 comprehensive questions you should thoroughly reflect upon before making that crucial decision. Whatever choice you make, we hope that it’ll be the best one for you. Jump up to our gallery and get started.

Lim Han

Photos: Getty Images

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