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Maybe It's Time to Quit: Warning Signs You Need a New Job

November 07, 2010, By Steve Thompson 0 comments

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When you hate your job, every moment in the office is a temptation to walk out the front door and never look back. I feel your pain. I've held innumerable jobs over the years that have made me want to tear my hair out in frustration, and I understand the desire to simply cut the dead weight. So how do you know it's time to quit your job? If the economy is in the toilet and your industry is suffering, is it worth the risk? And how should a man recognize the last straw?

You're being mistreated. I don't mean you're given more work than everyone else or your boss won't issue the promotion you've been waiting for. I mean true mistreatment. If you're working overtime without being compensated or you've been the victim of discrimination, start a job search now.

Your family suffers. I'm a strong believer in making sure that family comes first. If your job is getting the way of your relationship with your wife and/or kids, you might need a new job. Guys, myself included, often wear blinders when it comes to their careers. Take them off, look around, and evaluate how your job affects your family.

You're stuck. Maybe you took the job thinking you'd get transferred to your ideal department, or perhaps you were promised a promotion that never arrived. Whatever the case, it can be detrimental to your overall morale to stay in a job where you feel under-utilized or under-valued. Start thinking about finding a new job.

You're bored out of your mind. When I'm bored, I get careless and I make mistakes. Most men respond that way to work that doesn't challenge them. They start working by rote, just going through the motions, and that's not good for you or your employer. You might want to start a new job search if every day feels like your seventh-grade math class.

Others are dropping like flies. Watching other people on the job can help you decide when it's time to quit. If you hate your job and your colleagues are running for the hills, it's probably time to find something new. This often precedes a major upheaval within a company, and you should heed the signs.

You spend your free time on Monster. If you're spending every free minute combing through the classifieds and job search sites, you should listen to your gut. Your mind and body are telling you to get out, and it's probably best to listen. This doesn't mean you should hand in your resignation tomorrow, but you might want to start actively pursuing a new job search.

You've got a better offer. Men are creatures of habit, and we often allow comfort to dissuade us from great opportunities. If you are given a job offer that comes with a better position, salary, and work environment, don't let fear put the kibosh on your future happiness. Jump at the chance after you investigate the offer and decide if it's something you want.

It's scary and disruptive to look for work, but sometimes it's necessary. When you hate your job, you project that displeasure onto the people you work with (as well as your family), and it's better to find a new job now than to get fired down the road.

If you are on the hunt for a new job, know that it's easier to find a job, when you have a job, so start looking while you are still holding your current position.

Job-hunting is not what it used to be, and you need to have a plan of action for future employment. Update your resume and cover letter, stay organized and be patient - finding a new job, can be a ‘job’ in itself.

Below are are a few guidelines to help you find that new job.

1. Identify ideal criteria. It is important to identify what would make you happy. Is it a shorter commute, better benefits, more money, better hours? What ever it is, you need to figure out what you are looking for and refine your search according to those likes and dislikes. This will make your search more clear and will also save you time.
2. Do not rush the process. Just because you received an offer for a job, does not mean you have to accept. Don’t jump at the first offer. If the offer meets your criteria, great. But if it doesn’t, don’t be afraid to turn the offer down or negotiate, especially concerning the details that matter to you.
3. Give appropriate notice. If you find a job that better suits you and accept an offer, remember to give appropriate notice (two weeks are customary) to your current employer. You don’t want to burn a bridge, so be sure to transition your work and do your best to effectively wrap up your time there.

Regardless of the economic climate and industry health, it is important to start new job search the smart way. Don't quit until you've found something else, and don't jeopardize your employment until you've got a back-up plan.