There are many reasons why you might feel like walking out on a job. Maybe your current job doesn’t satisfy your needs and interests. Or maybe it is not what human resources told you it is going to be when you accepted the job offer. In any case, it is important to address job abandonment with caution and make sure you’ve done it right.
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Before you close the door behind, make sure the choice is rational and not emotionally motivated.
Discuss with someone you trust why you want to leave immediately. Maybe you feel unsafe in the work environment or your paycheck was late. Maybe there is a lack of growth opportunities, unpredictable working hours, or a lack of proper work equipment. Or sometimes you might have received another job offer that offers more opportunities.
Talking about your thoughts and feelings helps to put them into perspective. Do it before you start burning bridges.
Another valid choice is to remain professional and talk to your manager or employer. Maybe some of the issues you’ve been dealing with can be resolved quickly. In such a case, you won’t need to leave the company. Explain the situation and address your concerns about the workplace, responsibilities, benefits, or critical problems with your current job.
Many employers are ready to make changes to keep a valuable employee on the team. It might be helpful to speak to your boss before quitting for good.
If you are not sure whether this job is a good fit for you, create a list of the pros and cons of walking out. Be objective and evaluate all the factors, including:
Compare the situation with your previous job and the overall situation on the market. Make sure you are considering your best interests before you go to a hiring manager to give two weeks’ notice.
This step is useful in case you are anxious about job abandonment. Sometimes you know that this job is not for you but it feels scary to start it all over and find a new workplace. A good idea to overcome this anxiety is to address potential risks and evaluate how bad they actually are.
Think about how quitting can impact your life in a negative way – financially, career-wise, socially, and emotionally. Imagine your life after you receive the final paycheck from this company and move forward. If the worst negative effects are something you are ready to face, it might be a good time for giving notice.
Although sometimes it might be tempting to abruptly walk from the office, it comes with some risks. You’ll need to find a new position that values your skills and satisfied your interests. Also, if you do not leave on good terms, coworkers and managers might give you poor reviews. This may make job search harder in the future.
Consider the long-term benefits of walking out of this job. They need to overcome any risks quitting brings.
There are two ways to approach your current and new employment in such a situation. You can give two weeks’ notice to the company and start looking for potential future employers. Or you can start a job search and give proper notice to the current manager after you’ve landed a new position.
In any case, do not leave the position without notice, it is unprofessional and leaves a bad reputation behind you. Also, it might be against state laws.
Create a road map of your actions. Update your resume and start looking for new jobs.
Changing a company or position is stressful for any employee. However, you can minimize the level of stress you’ll have to deal with. A person can do this with proper planning – when to quit, how to quit, and how to transition to a new office.
Before you head to a new office, try these techniques:
You’ve already made a huge decision of walking out of a job that doesn’t suit you. And the transition is just a matter of time and conscious effort, it should not be intimidating to switch jobs.
It is always good to network and meet like-minded individuals in your field. Also, it can offer various exciting career opportunities. It is not a secret that a lot of positions are filled through recommendations and referrals. Maybe one of your connections knows that you plan to quit and has something to offer you.
Even if you hate your job and are happy to quit, the transition can still be stressful. You might need advice or support in these turbulent times. There needs to be someone on your side. Those could be employees that you trust, friends, or family members.
You’ll need to update your resume in any case. So collect all newly achieved credentials and add them to the document. Also, make sure the company property you were using is in the right state.
This means cleaning temporary files, answering emails, and addressing projects you were responsible for. Probably you’ll need to explain your duties to a new employee or someone who will perform them after you quit.
Before you send the notice, plan how you are going to manage your finances during this period. If you already have a job offer from another business, that’s amazing. The pay is coming in a month, so there is nothing to worry about.
But if you are planning to walk without such security, think about how you are going to pay the bills. For instance, you can start saving up and quit a month later.
Situations might be very different as well as reasons for leaving. But if possible, try to keep things professional. Even if your employer is in the wrong, they still need to pay you your final check and provide recommendations for the following job.
After you give notice and end the closing period, thank colleagues and friends that supported you. Also, consider writing a farewell email to everyone you’ve collaborated with on the job. You never know whether you are going to cross paths with them again. Also, those might be valuable connections for the next job as well.
After the dust settles, give yourself time to reflect and celebrate your achievements. You’ve made an important decision for the sake of your well-being and career. Point out all the positives of the new position and the experiences you’ve achieved in the previous one.
Walking out on the job might be a difficult decision. But if you consider all the pros and cons, it is a wise choice. Approach it reasonably and professionally. Do not walk out without notice and leave unfinished things behind.
