Let’s Think About Quitting Your Job

In my teenage years, I quit my job as the cart boy at a department store. I couldn’t take the monotony anymore, pushing carts all the time, so I resigned at the end of my shift. I returned a few days later to pick up my last paycheck. My manager hands me the check but pulls it away before I can take it and condescendingly says, “You’ll never get another job in retail. When someone looks at your resume and calls me for a recommendation, I won’t give them one.” It was her last laugh: she was obviously upset I quit on such short notice. But my teenage angst couldn’t handle an authority figure having the last word, so I snatched my check, and as I walked out of the room said, “I will NEVER, in my life, put this job on my resume.” I’ve kept that promise…but I’m into my career as a designer and not as the cart boy.

Quitting a job, at least on good terms, isn’t as simple as just walking out. I’ve spent the last couple of days finishing up projects and organizing my files. I had my exit interview. I helped my boss write a job description to hire my replacement. My team is awesome, I enjoyed the work, the benefits are great, but it wasn’t a good fit for me. It was time to move on. Anyone can always take the reckless route and quit on the spot, but there are a couple of things to think about before you do.

Give it some time

Give it a year. Are you three months into your job and you’re ready to throw in the towel? Give it some more time. Talk to your boss about your role and see if there’s some tweaking you can do. Maybe you need to be on another project. Maybe the new guy has to do a little grunt work before he handles the bigger/better/best assignments. You won’t know until you put your head down and settle in for a while. Smile, do great work and try to get something to show you made the best of your time there. What does your future boss want to see? That you’re a job hopper? Or that you’re willing to settle down and get a few portfolio pieces?

I’ve been a graphic designer for seven years, five years freelancing and the last two in a corporate setting. I know corporate work isn’t for me, but only because I gave myself time to think. Quitting a job is kinda like getting a tattoo: you’re either going love it or it’ll be a snap decision that haunts you for years to come.

Know what’s next

I waited to hand in my notice because I didn’t have anywhere to go. Know what your next step is. Are you going to another company? Sign the contract and then put in your two-weeks. Starting out as a freelancer? Have clients lined up and ready to go. If you can afford to be unemployed for a while, that’s fine too — just make you don’t completely drain your bank accounts or rack up debt. Take a sabbatical if you have to. Travel. Get some perspective. It’s okay to not know what the next five years or even the next six months look like, but have a plan. If your last day is a Friday, know what you’re going to do Monday, and go do it.

Quitting will make you feel like a failure, but the reality is you’re simply changing directions. I tend to wallow in my shortcomings — making a mistake really bothers me. Having a game plan negates those feelings…you have something to do! Shift your focus and put your head down.

Get help

Before and after you leave your job, you should be talking to a mentor, a close friend, a trusted advisor, your significant other. Someone who can give you solid advice or another perspective covering your next step. People rarely do a great job of exploring all their options. It will work wonders to have someone ask, “Have you considered ______?”.

I hate to admit this: I don’t have it all together. I need help navigating significant decisions and mapping out uncharted territory. I found someone who’s ahead of me, who’s where I want to be, and asked a ton of questions. You’ll find that most people want to share their experiences with you and they’ll be happy to help, especially if you buy them dinner.

Don’t burn bridges

I almost didn’t include this one thinking it was common sense, but you never really know what the future holds. You might land back at your old job or company, so it’s wise to leave on good terms. A little honesty and tact will go a long way as your tell the boss your exit plans. Leaving on good terms and wrapping up your duties well will keep the door open for whatever may happen in the years to come.

…or take the reckless route and completely burn your bridges. It might be the push you require, knowing there’s nothing to fall back on. Tell everyone how you really feel. Make an epic scene. You’ve probably fantasized about this moment at your desk. Will the momentum carry you forward? Probably not, but it’ll feel awesome in the moment.

Burned bridges or not — making the leap to quit your job is a gamble. Take the risk and enjoy the ride. I jumped and I’m sitting in my home office thinking about what’s next.

Excited, terrified and overwhelmed, all at the same time.